Praise and rewards
One thing I have found which makes a big difference to class motivation is praise, sometimes followed by a small reward. (In my school we are NOT allowed to hand out sweets, so we have had to find other methods.)
On this page, I am providing a list of rewards & praise that I use with my classes.
On this page, I am providing a list of rewards & praise that I use with my classes.
Verbal praise in the lesson - cost free
Simple and to the point "Well done, great work"
Stickers - cost about £4.00 for 800
I use these in exercise books, on homework and in planners.
- In exercise books and on homework the students "collect" stickers to build up to a school merit (5 stickers = 1 merit)
- In planners they are used as a quick "well done" to ensure that parents are also aware of good work.
Stamp - cost about £6 or free when vistaprint do offers
I have another one of these that says "Science Star". Again this is used in exercise books, on homework and in planners.
- In exercise books and on homework the students "collect" stamps to build up to a school merit (2 stamps = 1 merit)
- In planners they are used as a quick "well done" to ensure that parents are also aware of good work. .
A note in the planner - cost free
This takes a little more time and effort, but it is a personal "well done" which is then read by the parents.
It can refer back to what the student has done to deserve the note in the planner.
I also have a stamp that says "You worked well in Science today - well done", which goes into the students’ planners where it is personalised and signed.
It can refer back to what the student has done to deserve the note in the planner.
I also have a stamp that says "You worked well in Science today - well done", which goes into the students’ planners where it is personalised and signed.
Business cards - cost about £6 for 250 non-premium or free when vistaprint do offers
I award these for good pieces of work or excellent effort in the lesson.
They can be stapled into exercise books or planners and then taken home to parents.
They are personalised by writing the name of the student on the front, and there is space on the back to write the reason for the card.
These are a valuable commodity in my school and tend to result in rewards from parents when taken home.
They can be stapled into exercise books or planners and then taken home to parents.
They are personalised by writing the name of the student on the front, and there is space on the back to write the reason for the card.
These are a valuable commodity in my school and tend to result in rewards from parents when taken home.
Premium Business cards - cost about £12 for 250 premium or free when vistaprint do offers
There are more interesting designs if you are prepared to pay for them or wait a little longer for a freebie!
I award these for good pieces of work or excellent effort in the lesson.
They can be stapled into exercise books or planners and then taken home to parents.
They are personalised by writing the name of the student on the front, and there is space on the back to write the reason for the card.
These are a valuable commodity in my school and tend to result in rewards from parents when taken home.
Postcards - cost about £12 for 100 or free when vistaprint do offers
I award these for outstanding pieces of work or outstanding effort that goes above and beyond expectations.
These are completed by the student with their home address and then posted home to parents.
They are personalised by writing the name of the student on the front, and there is space on the back to write the reason for the card.
These are a very valuable commodity in my school and tend to result in rewards from parents when taken home.
These are completed by the student with their home address and then posted home to parents.
They are personalised by writing the name of the student on the front, and there is space on the back to write the reason for the card.
These are a very valuable commodity in my school and tend to result in rewards from parents when taken home.
Phone call from school - cost free (just your time)
It takes moments to find the phone number of a parent from the school registration software, and a positive phone call can make a difference.
I tend to ask students if they know when it is a good time to get hold of mum or dad: and I always check the number with them as you would be surprised how often the school’s information is incorrect!
My phone calls last no longer than 2-3 minutes and are simply a case of saying "Good afternoon X, this is Miss/Mr Y calling from..... - I just wanted to let you know I was really pleased with....". If the parent is not at home, this message can easily be left on an answer phone. Following this action, I often have students come to thank me for the phone call!
If you say you are going to make a call you MUST do it.... follow through the good as well as the bad.
I tend to ask students if they know when it is a good time to get hold of mum or dad: and I always check the number with them as you would be surprised how often the school’s information is incorrect!
My phone calls last no longer than 2-3 minutes and are simply a case of saying "Good afternoon X, this is Miss/Mr Y calling from..... - I just wanted to let you know I was really pleased with....". If the parent is not at home, this message can easily be left on an answer phone. Following this action, I often have students come to thank me for the phone call!
If you say you are going to make a call you MUST do it.... follow through the good as well as the bad.
A letter home - cost free (just your time)
A letter home is something that both parents and students cherish.
It is fairly straightforward and does not have to be long. (An example will appear to download from here shortly... I am currently working on it)
Explain what the student has done well in the letter. This can be a standard letter, but make sure you get the name right on the one going home!
Sign it and deliver it to the office (if you have great admin assistants, such as those at our school, then this is all you will have to do....) and get it sent home.
It is fairly straightforward and does not have to be long. (An example will appear to download from here shortly... I am currently working on it)
Explain what the student has done well in the letter. This can be a standard letter, but make sure you get the name right on the one going home!
Sign it and deliver it to the office (if you have great admin assistants, such as those at our school, then this is all you will have to do....) and get it sent home.
School merits - use these at appropriate times
Every school has its own merit systems. Use them appropriately and all the methods of praise and rewards above can be used to supplement them.
Just remember the 5:1 ratio!
For every telling off or negative action with a class there need to be 5 positives; it works!!!
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