Fun incentives for first grade students?

Question

Hello! I'm just about to start my second year of teaching first grade, and I'm looking for some great reward/incentive ideas for first graders. This is what I used last year:

-- Individual: Children who have good behavior all day are given a treasure box ticket and may redeem them for prizes every few weeks.

-- By tables: Table groups who earn the most points for good behavior at the end of the week receive a piece of candy.

-- Whole class: The whole class receives marbles in a marble jar every time they are all on task, listen attentively, or receive a good report from another teacher. When the jar is filled, we have a party.

I am considering implementing another reward/incentive for something more academic instead of just behavior-based. We're decorating in a monkey/jungle theme this year, and I saw these cute little linking paper monkeys at the teacher store -- you can form a chain of them, and when the chain is complete, the students can earn a prize. I was thinking about either having a competition among the reading groups to see who stays on track with reading homework, a class goal of a certain number of outside books to read, or a "homework chain" (where a link is added each time the entire class turns in their written homework).

My question is: What kind of reward/prize/incentive would you give, other than candy, a treasure box toy, or a party? Are there any other fun incentives you've used for elementary schoolers? Also, if you have any recommendations regarding what I should use the monkey chains for, I'd be happy to hear those, too.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I've used free reading time or free writing time. Students seem to really enjoy having the extra time to choose books of their choice and find a comfortable place in the room to read or write.

Answer 2

First grade was always my favorite grade! Even though I'm no longer in the classroom, I'll share with you what I tried.

In terms of individual incentives, I always tried to keep it academic:

1. I had an estimation jar. Every week there would be different items in it. Students who showed good behavior throughout the day earned an estimation ticket. On it they would put their name and their estimation for how many items was inside. On Friday afternoons, I would empty the jar, count aloud with the students and put them into groups of 10- to reinforce place value. The one with the correct estimation, or the closest, would win the contents of the jar.

2. For the whole class, we would earn a pizza party when...

   - students turned in their homework 3 of 4 days of the week (I didn't assign on Fridays)

3. For students showing EXCEPTIONALLY good behavior I wanted others to emulate I passed out little "fact sheets" according to whatever unit/topic we were on

   - For example, during the ocean unit we would study sharks for two weeks, and I would make small sheets with a diagram of a shark and parts of the body labeled (corresponding to a diagram they did during those two weeks) I would also put gummy shark candy in the estimation jar!

Hope these are ideas you can incorporate.

Good luck with the new school year!

Answer 3

when u said "a day when the teacher will come to school in a silly costume" that can be a prize 4 ur students cuz i know when i wuz younger i always enjoyed seeing adults' ridiculous side. =P

about ur "special snack" idea, it should be something that is healthy and tastes good at the same time, becuz if it's just something like, raw broccoli with ranch 4 example, it's healthy but first graders won't like it. i think ur on the right track with the food, i'm just saying.

something that one of my teachers did this year wuz have a paper passing contest among all her classes (u know, passing work forward) and seeing which class got the fastest time without yelling and crumpling up papers. u can do this too. but since u probably only have ONE class, set a time 4 them 2 beat and if they do, give them a prize (one of the things u listed).

star 4 u!

=P

hope i helped!

Answer 4

It sounds like you already have a lot of ideas.  Beware of giving too many rewards, though.  Children will start to ask you "What will I get?" when you assign something or state an expectation.  Children need to learn to do things because it is in their best interest.  They will also expect to be rewarded by all other teachers they have.

Answer 5

Simon says or heds up seven up or somethin like that  

Answer 6

I also have a ticket system with my students.  Due to the federal mandate, schools and teachers will no longer be able award treats such as candies or any snacks containing sugar as the #1 ingredient.  It is tricky finding the right kinds of incentives to give students.  From what I learn, grade level monies used to buy classroom supplies can't be used to purchase incentives intended to be given away.  So it does get expensive if you intend to buy little toys and awards on your own.

What I am trying this school year are incentives that isn't material.  Perhaps trading in tickets for free time or play time.  Perhaps if the class earns enough points they can have a homework free afternoon.  Once students make the correlation between ticket and award, just getting a ticket is an award on its own.

I am also looking for recommendations, so if anyone else wants to answer and give suggestions.  Thanks.

Answer 7

how about some time to work on your homework or an academic assignment

this shows that time spent learning is important and meaningful, ltime spent earning is a reward in itself  - how is this dif from regular classtime - because the student chooses what they want to work on and maybe they can work with a buddy