Ten Ideas of Simple Classroom Rewards to Keep Students Hooked
Updated on January 1, 2024
For teachers, having an effective plan for managing a classroom is essential in bringing the best out of students. Yes, kids should be able to make choices and learn without expecting any reward. However, appreciating students for their conduct and achievement spurs improvement and hard work. So, this article uncovers practical ideas you can copy when looking to incentivize your students.
Ten ideas of free and effective classroom rewards
Below are some unique classroom rewards ideas for students regardless of their school grade or age.
Encourage students with the show-and-tell method
Teachers should allow youngsters to introduce an object, present it to the class, and share the narrative behind it. Most kids will value the chance to discuss their excitement with fellow students, so take advantage of this situation to encourage good classroom conduct.
The show-and-tell approach may not be exciting for more reserved students; however, they may relish the chance of sharing their items with you in private for five minutes. So, create that option for students who don’t want to be in the center of attention.
Let students feel powerful
One way to motivate pupils is to give them freedom to make their own decisions. A great incentive may be something as minor as allowing a child to dictate break routines, read aloud, or do things the way they want.
This idea falls under free classroom rewards where kids are given freedom to design content for a class activity and essentially have a say in proceedings. If your school rules allow kids to watch videos or play games during their free time, you can let them choose the content they want for the day (from a list you provided, of course).
Improve the quality of children’s free time
Allow your kids to explore their creative sides by making free time more exciting. Teachers can let kids use puzzles, blocks, worksheets, and other toys and manipulatives in the classroom. Based on this idea, some elementary classroom rewards involve giving students unrestricted access to apps on iPads or PCs during recess.
You can also set up stations with different colorful items like playdough, bingo dabbers, watercolor paints, or other creative materials to play with. These rewards for students in the classroom will drive them to work toward earning the right to play.
Spend more time with kids
Spending quality time with kids is more rewarding than most educators think. Yes, kids may act like they crave independence, but they value quality time with their role models. And if you are that role model, this idea becomes one of the classroom rewards that don’t cost money.
This reward is excellent as an incentive for individual students or groups. Take advantage of it by playing a virtual or real-life game with children. Competing with an online tutor or school management will make students want to replicate the conduct that led to the game.
Authority figures in schools should be accessible
Pupils need to be familiar with their principal’s office and feel at ease in their presence. A good reward idea might be if a principal reads a book with children, thus connecting with kids better. A principal can also surprise kids with a speech or handwritten message to tell how proud they are of children’s efforts.
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Give kids temporary leadership responsibilities
Students are thrilled when given unique opportunities or responsibilities. Consider promoting outstanding students to the position of a teacher’s assistant for a day or week. Let them understand the privileges of the assignment, the way they earned it, and the way they can serve their classmates during the “tenure.” Rewards like this will make students feel special.
Organize virtual surprises
When educating students virtually, you should promote a sense of community and maintain a connection with them. You can visit virtual reality tours of exciting locations, test VR games, and organize a chat between a famous person and students. Another exciting surprise idea is to welcome a mystery reader into your online class to share a book with the class. These virtual classroom rewards are most effective for groups.
Celebrate the entire class
The whole class can participate in a dance party or a unique show-and-tell session to recognize and reward students’ diligent work and excellent conduct. Deliberately ensure that every child’s efforts get acknowledged to ensure no student feels overlooked. You can even bake a cake for a child you want to reward or give them a treat. Celebrating your students puts them in a happy mood, raising dopamine levels and motivating them to do better and be celebrated again.
Surprises at home
You can show students that you care about them and make them feel significant by sending them gifts while at home. Presents may be an appreciation for the efforts kids put into their school work and entire conduct. However, these gifts need be not everyday items, but phone calls, emails, or letters. If you want to show your kids how happy you are and appreciate them, you can send them bookmarks or stickers.
Create a wow work section
Include a WOW WORK section in the weekly newsletter that you send out to your students. After, invite those who are visiting the classroom to have a look. You may provide content about the tremendous growth a kid has achieved or give examples of their work. Also, you can create a wall in which your students may proudly showcase their work for the rest of the class to see.
Conclusion
Classroom rewards don’t have to be expensive or extravagant; all you need is a little creativity to invent effective reward systems in your classroom. You can take any of the ideas above to give your kids a wonderful time. Using a mix of several ideas will produce even better results.
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