Hello All- Sorry I am late in responding, it has been a hectic two weeks at school.
I do not give any rewards in my classroom. To my knowledge, I am the only teacher in the 1st - 6th in the school who does not. The other teachers 1st- 4th all use a ticket system -everyone gets 5 tickets on Monday, they are taken away for going to the restroom, poor behavior, no homework, etc. I believe the 5th and 6th grades use a point system. At the end of the month, the tickets or points are used to "buy" prizes from the "treasure box". Day one of school I explained to my class I did not use tickets or points, but rather they were expected to think hard, try their best, and be respectful. I told them that we, including me, are here to learn and make our brains think, and it is expected that everyone will be a positive contributor to the community. The reward will be a wonderful classroom of questioning, thinking, and learning -everyday. I got some surprised comments, on that day, but none since. While other teachers at my school keep track of points and tickets and buy prizes for the treasure box, I continue to build upon the idea that we are always learning and that is the reward -a thinking brain. The reward is a classroom community in which students really care for one another and the environment. homework -usually all complete it, but a couple of times a week 1 or 2 may not have it. Other classrooms- 2-4 students do not return homework. restroom use during class time - 1-3 students a day leave the room my team mates say they have 2-4 leave a day. So, do prize rewards change behavior -I don't think so. I think we have duped ourselves into believing they make a difference. Do I feel students need rewards -yes, but not physical ones. (or empty verbal ones either) Jan We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit. -Robert Shaffer ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: understand@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:understand@literacyworkshop.org> Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 6:23 AM Subject: [Understand] intrinsic rewards... Ellin writes: "I worry about the external rewards we think we must offer to motivate children to learn to read and write. I have found that they are altogether delighted with the rewards born inside....They don't realize how brilliantly capable they are, and it is one pleasant surprise when it dawns on them. That's what brings them back for more." (p.98) I would love to hear reactions to this statement. :-) Comments anyone? Jennifer **************Check out smokin’ hot deals on laptops, desktops and more from Dell. Shop Deals (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1213345834x1200842686/aol?redir=http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;209513277;31396581;l<http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1213345834x1200842686/aol?redir=http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;209513277;31396581;l>) _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:Understand@literacyworkshop.org> http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org> _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
