Whatever behavior management system you use, your kids are most likely striving to earn a reward. For my whole class behavior, I use a system with happy face and sad face points. If students receive more happy than sad face points at the end of the day, they get a pair of eyes at the top of the whiteboard. Once we hit a certain number of eyes, they earn a reward. I also use the Kerplunk behavior management system. With Kerplunk, we work on being kind during recess and not hitting or hurting each other (I have a handsy class this year). With these two systems, my students have two ways they can earn a reward as a class.
Read more about my behavior management systems here.
My first year teaching, I would just rotate between giving them an extra recess or a movie party. As teachers, we don’t make tons of money, so I didn’t want to purchase anything to reward my students. I’ve come up with a list of FREE rewards that students can earn that are just as fun as an extra recess or a movie party.
10 Free Rewards Your Students Can Earn
1. Game Party
Students bring in one game and students rotate playing different games they’ve brought.
2. Reading Party
Students bring in a few books and read together. To add a bit of excitement, have them bring in sleeping bags and flashlights and turn the lights off while they read together.
3. Bring in a Stuffed Animal Day
Students bring in their favorite stuffed animal and get sit with them throughout the day.
4. Themed Dress Day
Pick a type of dress/theme and students can dress up. We have a uniform at my school so we very rarely do this. It’s so fun when we do though!
5. Relay Race Competition
Set up a relay race outside for students to complete on a team.
6. Bubble Party
This might not be totally free if you don’t have bubbles or a bubble machine but this is a fan favorite in my class! One year a parent donated a bubble machine (affiliate link) and it’s been a great addition to the classroom. Turn it on outside (or inside) and watch your kids go nuts!
7. Free Play
My students already get 30 minutes of free play a day but sometimes we have extra free play for a reward!
8. Dance Party
Turn on some music (I use Spotify – KidzBop) and the kids dance on the carpet. For some extra fun, turn off the lights, get glow sticks and make it a neon dance party!
9. Show and Tell Party
Students bring in their favorite show and tell item and get to share it with their classmates.
10. Joke Party
Students take turns telling a joke (or a few).
Of course a movie party or an extra recess can also be added to the list but now you have ten other ideas that are FREE for when your students earn their next reward!
What would you add to the list? Comment below!
