Reward Systems

Question: What are your thoughts on reward systems? What have you seen in your field experiences?  What have you considered for your own classroom use?

Before this semester I had never thought much about rewards systems, the best way to manage behavior, etc.  I knew from babysitting, listening to friends with children, and other sources that consistency is key to a successful system.  But that is all I knew.  Our EDU 703 course has been fascinating for me.  I feel like I am learning so much and am eager to apply them in a classroom.  I am especially eager to get into a classroom and really try some of what we are learning because I know that one of  my "growing areas" is classroom and behavior management.  

From what I have learned in EDU 703 I think that a rewards system done right can be successful, if they focus on positive behavior.  However, it is more likely they are used to emphasize negative behavior.  Where I think we fail is that we are so focused on punishment as behavior management system.  We have been set up that way forever (well, that may be an exaggeration!).  We tend to punish people by throwing them in jail before we ask ourselves how we can equip them to be contributing citizens.  Yes, some crimes and behaviors should have consequences (and sometimes that may mean being removed from society); however, punishment is obviously not a preventative measure.  If it was, we wouldn't have nearly as many overrun jails!  All of that being said -- we tend to want to apply this same measurement to our students in schools.  We think, "surely little Johnny will behave because we told if he does it he will have to stay in from recess."  Yet we fail to realize that maybe little Johnny needs some attention so we are encouraging his negative behavior because he wants to spend time with us.  I like the idea of figuring out the reason for the negative behavior (e.g. attention-seeking, revenge, etc.) and then responding in a way to elicit positive behaviors.  

Our reward systems should focus on this as well.  Rather than moving a pin to the yellow (and then the red) light, we should add stars for each positive behavior and/or action instead.  The school I have been placed at uses this model.  They reward with SPOT tickets when they see a student doing a desired behavior.  We have also learned that rewards should never be taken away.  The consequence of a negative behavior is not getting the reward.  My cooperating teacher follows this theory.  At first it seems counter-intuitive.  But, I will say I have seen it work.  In an observation for EDU 703 I rewarded one little boy for working quietly during his morning work and not being distracted.  Per my teachers instructions, I walked up to him, handed him a ticket and said, "thank you for working so quietly and focusing so well."  The children who were around him immediately noticed and got to work.  I did not then reward them, but I saw the motivation first hand.  Children are very smart and know what they want -- if we give attention for negative behavior they may repeat the behavior.  That was their goal after all!  However, they will also repeat the positive behavior if that is what we focus on and reward.

I have honestly not thought much about how I will run my future classroom.  I like the rewarding for positive behavior, but I also do not want to go bankrupt from buying trinkets! ;-)  I can always use my kid's meal toys... but surely those will run out, too! :-)  I LOVE the idea of rewarding students with meaningful rewards (such as lunch with the teacher, sitting next to a friend for the day, etc).  We can reward without giving a material thing.  We can reward with choice, with relational responses, etc.  I hope to implement that type of rewards system in my class... but what that looks like?  I do not know.  I plan on devouring The First Days of School from EDU 703 over our upcoming break (yes, I am a dork...) and hope to begin thinking through that.  In only a few short weeks I will be in the classroom, and maybe I can begin applying all that I am learning.  I know while I intern I will have to be careful (after all, it isn't my classroom), but I do hope to begin the process of designing my classroom.  I cannot wait!  It is becoming so real! :-)