On the first day of teacher appreciation week, my brother told me to stay put because he had a gift for me. Last time he told me to "stay put" I was immediately surronded by chunks of shiny quartz that replicated the crystals used on Charmed to do some voo-doo in a circle. I tried to escape, but he warned me I wouldn't want to do that. I, being superstitious and unsure of that kind of thing, just stayed put and begged for him to collect the crystals and put them back in their magic box. Let's just say I was a little weary of what I was getting myself into this time. What could he be bringing in from his car for me? Would he have time to trap a fart in a jar? Would it be a burned piece of incense he used the night before in a spooky house? Would it be one of his ougie (is this how you spell it) boards?
Low and behold, it was actually something delightful! He piled me up with free Friendly's 3 scoop ice-cream certificates for teacher appreciation week. In addition, he gave me buy one, get one coupons too. I figured these buy one, get ones would be a good reward for my students. I am often frustrated by negative behavior, but need to acknowledge the good behavior as well.
In addition to the buy one, get one coupons, I am a subscriber to LUCKY magazine. They always provide sticker tabs to label what you like in their magazine. I never do anything with these stickers, but just recently had the idea to give them to students. They like the quirkiness of receiving the "maybe" sticker. On assignments I'll put the "yes" or "love" sticker. High school students never get too old for stickers.
Obviously, the best kind of recognition for positive behavior is verbal recognition, but receiving little things here and there can be fun too. What kind of tangible rewards do you give to your students? Would you like another post on other items I give out?OHH and for those of you who were on the edge of your seat in regards to my job interview... I GOT THE JOB! Today is the first day of my life that I am on a salary!!
