This is my first blog. I will be talking about a bunch of things but today I want to talk about rewards/classroom economies/etc. in the classroom. I know several teachers use classroom rewards for behavior and jobs. I think I am about as obsessed with Beth Newingham's website as every other teacher on the planet. I see how the system works for her - but I can't keep thinking in the back of my head is constantly rewarding students for doing classroom jobs the right thing to do? I mean last year I had a monetary system where they earned Scholar Dollars for jobs and then they got them taken away for bad choices. Half of the time, though, I felt like they only had a good day because they knew they were getting that immediate gratification. Is this a good lesson to be teaching them.
On the other hand, what is the alternative? Will students complete their jobs if there is no motivation?
I need a veteran's opinion. The last thing I want to do is start my second year of teaching on the wrong foot and have unmotivated children.
Thoughts?
I use the Clip Chart and don't give out a huge amount of
ReplyDeletetangible rewards. As students move up the Clip Chart that is a reward in and of itself.
By the way I teach 3rd grade also.
Denise
Yearn to Learn Blog
I plan on using the Clip Chart this year and your comment just justifies my gut feeling that it is enough! Thank you so much!
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