Rewards

Done Right

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[Insert Presenter Name]

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We all need motivation!

• Why do we give ourselves or others rewards?
• What are some ways you reward yourself? What do you reward yourself for?
• How do you reward students in your classroom?

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Goals of Classroom Rewards

• Motivate learning and effort
• Positive reinforcement for good behavior
• Affirm student as valued member of community
• Create a positive classroom experience

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• Food offered as a reward is often eaten when children are not hungry.
• Food rewards can foster habits of rewarding or comforting with food, rather than eating in response to hunger.

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Find creative ways to reward students without food!

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What’s wrong with occasional treats?

• Foster a healthy relationship with food
• Promote healthier eating habits
• Create a more inclusive reward systems
• Healthy kids are better students

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Value of choosing non-food rewards

Types of Non-Food Rewards

• Material rewards
• Non-Material Rewards (Low/No Cost)
• Social Rewards
• Recognition
• Privileges
• Physical activity

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Ideas for Healthy Rewards!

• Social rewards:
• Extra socializing time
• Lunch in the classroom with teacher/friends
• “Fancy” classroom lunch

Ideas for Healthy Rewards!

• Recognition:
• Student of the week (certificate)
• Schoolwide behavior honor roll
• Tickets/points/play money to earn prizes

Ideas for Healthy Rewards!

• Privileges:
• Homework passes
• Out of uniform passes (if applicable)
• Pick your own seat
• Themed party (example: pajama party)
• “Teacher’s Helper”
• Line leader
• First choice of activities

Resource: Classroom Coupons

Ideas for Healthy Rewards!

• Physical activity:
• Extra recess
• Open gym time
• Active games in the classroom
• Dance party
• Extra GoNoodle time

More Ideas for Healthy Rewards!

• Ask your students
• Reward healthy choices!

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Resource: Caught Being Healthy Certificate

Share Your Experiences!

• How have you used non-food rewards in the past?
• How have students responded to non-food rewards?
• What healthy rewards have been successful in your classroom?

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What Now? Steps Towards Action

Take action in your classroom:

• Engage your students! Get them excited about new reward systems and ask for feedback
• Document what works and what doesn’t
• Visit the Maryland Teacher Toolkit for more ideas and resources

www.mdteachertoolkit.org

What Now? Steps Towards Action

Work as a team:

• Join (or start) a Wellness Committee at your school
• Learn about your district’s School Health Council

Leverage policies:

• Review your school district’s Local Wellness Policy
• Work with administration and school leaders to write a rewards policy for your school

Communicate:

• Communicate changes and gather support among parents, students, administrators, and staff

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Resource: Sample Parent Letter