5 Unique Ways to Motivate Students (without a Treasure Box)
Does the idea of motivating your student without a treasure box pull on your heart strings?
As teachers we are constantly trying to motivate our students. In order to run our classroom smoothly, we need our students to respect our classroom rules and expectations. But besides motivating them to behave, let’s be honest, we also expect a lot out of them academically. That is why it is so important to set up class reward systems routines to help students stay on track and motivated. Here are 5 of my favorite ways to reward and motivate your students OTHER than the treasure box).
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Positive Notes Home - Motivating Students can be that Simple!
Sending home positive notes is a GREAT, SIMPLE, and FREE way to intrinsically motivate students. Not to mention it really helps the class climate and parents love to see positive notes sent home for their child - it helps them remember that you love their child and you give kudos when kudos are due!
It is easier to send home kudos if you have them ready to go! I always have some blank templates on hand. Printed, cut, and signed!
Click here to purchase Positive Notes Template that I use in my class!
I print these templates on colored cardstock or astrobrights and attach them to my students' folder or agenda!
It is simple and efficient! A personal touch that will not be forgotten by your students or their parents.
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Use Classroom Data to Motivate Students!
If your school is anything like mine, they are VERY focused on student data. I am required to log student data digitally on an excel sheet that is shared with administration. Honestly, data is gold. We can learn so much by monitoring class data. Students data can be incredibly motivating for teachers. THAT is why I also post my class averages on the wall!
At the beginning of the year, I create large grid posters for my class. This poster is used to graph their Math Topic Test CLASS average and set goals for upcoming tests. I do prep my second graders with a mini lesson about what an average means. In my mini lesson, I explain that it will take teamwork to help reach the goals that we set as a class. This classroom routine is very motivational and creates a wonderful supportive learning environment for all my students.
Setting Goals
While we are completing our classroom test review (usually the day before a test), we set a class goal together. Our classroom goal is usually an 80% average, however with high leveled classes or easier topics, we have set goals of 85% average before.
Even though my second graders do not fully understand averages or percentages yet, this routine helps their mindset before a test. Having a goal in mind helps motivate students! Also, they know that they make a difference in meeting the class goals.
Motivate Students by Keeping the Data Visible
Keeping data charts visible for students to see, helps students stay motivated even when they are not taking tests. It reminds them of their classroom achievements and how much they have grown!
Celebrating Classroom Achievements
Of course, when my students meet their goals, we celebrate their achievements! This is one of my favorite times to celebrate with my students. Because it is a classroom goal, all students are included in our classroom celebration.
After every test we document our class average. Students get very excited to see if the class met their goal! If the class meets their goal they are rewarded with a 15 - 20 minute party. I find the time in my schedule and we celebrate! Throughout the years, my 15 minute parties have looked different. It depends on students’ interests, and what kind of time my schedule allows.
My 15 minute parties have included:
- 15 minute free draw parties
- 15 minute pop-it parties
- Magic school bus watch party
- I have even held a 15 minute dance party!
The beautiful thing about these kinds of rewards is that they do not cost anything, and the real prize is allowing your students to be kids! You are giving them the opportunity to socialize in class with their peers because they achieved something together!
Use a “Winner Circle” to Keeping it Exciting! Motivate Students by Spinning a Wheel to Decide Classroom Reward
At the beginning of each school year I make a “Winner Circle” with my class! Whether they finally have enough warm and fuzzies in their classroom jar, or they have gotten enough class compliments, the “Winner Circle” is a fun and engaging way to reward your students after meeting that goal.
I make it a habit to create my class winner circle WITH my students, because all students and classroom vibes are different. Some years I have had kids that LOVE to draw, while other years my kids would rather be rewarded with watching a show together (like magic school bus, or science max on youtube).
The beautiful thing about the Winner Circle is that you can create excitement about a surprise reward, and you can make them as cheap - OR FREE - as you would like! The act of spinning the wheel is already a reward itself! There is an element of surprise that creates smiles across the room as that wheel spins - even for me!
I like to create my Winner Circle on wordwall.net! I use their “Random Wheel” generator to create the prize wheel at the beginning of the year, and I can even save it on my account!
If you would like to take a peek at my current prize wheel click here! You can even save the link and apply it in your own classroom!
There are other websites you can use like flippity.net that have a random wheel generator. You can even have a physical Winner Circle! #GOALS!
Keep Students Motivated by Using a Brag Wall
I’m pretty sure this is my students favorite classroom reward - AND IT'S SO SIMPLE! I have a (2ft. x 3ft.) dry erase board in my class next to my door. I keep a couple of dry erase markers attached to the board. (with a magnet, or even with a string)
In my class, I use my Brag Wall specifically for Reflex Math Green Lights. If you are not familiar with Reflex Math, it is a math program that helps students achieve math fact fluency. On the program they work towards achieving a “Green Light.” They can achieve one green light a day!
My students are not required to log on for homework, but I know this program is so incredibly helpful. I encourage them to use the program when they are early finishers.
When a student gains a green light in my class, they are able to write their name on the dry erase board. It is as simple as that! They get the honor of writing their name down for the day! “Bragging rights” you can call it.
If your school doesn't uses Reflex Math, don't sweat it! You can modify this system to fit any classroom goal or program your school encourages students to use!
Click here for link to dry erase board I use in my class!
Click here for individual Reflex Math green light tracker & goal setting resource
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Motivate Students with a Classroom Store
This year, after winter break, I had to rethink my class reward system in class. Table points did not motivate my students the same way anymore. So I started implementing individual students' points in my classroom. I use class dojo to distribute the points to students because it is fun and easy for the students.
I know what you're thinking, classroom store? This seems kind of like a treasure box. While these systems might be similar, there are some amazing benefits to a classroom store that are undeniable.
Earning AND Losing Points
Let’s talk about how students earn points, and why they would lose points!
Students EARN points (or money) for things like being on task, being prepared for class, completing homework correctly, and getting A’s and B’s on Tests. Whether you are using digital points (like class dojo), or you are handing out tickets or classroom cash, you can place different values on a these achievements. This make things interesting!
For example, in my classroom, students know that they get one class dojo point for completing their homework. During our morning routine, I walk through the classroom and check in on students’ homework. During my walk through, I display Class Dojo points on the smart board. After I check their homework, students know to collect their homework point right away.
Students also earn points for getting an A or B on a test. They are rewarded more points for this achievement. This makes things exciting for students and keeps them on their toes! It also makes the classroom store more realistic. The store can represent more of a classroom economy, rather than just an old school treasure box.
BUT, in a classroom economy, students can earn points just as much as they can lose them!
Students LOSE points (or money) for things like being off task, blurting out, not following classroom expectations, or my personal favorite: when they need a pencil, they must pay 5 of their hard earned points for that pencil. I have never seen student's be so responsible with their supplies before! It is AMAZING.
Opening Up Your Classroom Store!
I “open up shop” twice a month. I post the dates on my white board so students are aware of the dates. When I open the store, I ask students, would you like to spend or save?
Just like how they receive and lose points, some things in the store might be more expensive than others. If students want a water bottle sticker, they would have to turn in 5 points. Homework passes go for 15 points. Thanks to classroom donations we also have some higher marked items, like trading card packs, and boxed arts and crafts. For these items, students might need to think about saving their classroom points/money.
Economics Skills
So YES a classroom store, is similar to the treasure box concept because you are rewarding students with “things”. BUT, there is a major benefit to having students practice economics skills!
Some teachers may argue that students should not receive points for completing homework. However, the way I see it, this system has really helped keep my students accountable for their work. ALSO, I love that my classroom store is not just focused around gaining points, but it also includes consequences. When my students complete their homework they earn one point. When they do not do their homework, they lose two points! I find that this imitates a real working environment. It opens their eyes to the idea that there are consequences in life just as much as there are rewards.
If you have any tips on using any of these reward systems or any other motivational tool that has worked in your class, leave a comment down below!
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