I am trying a new behavior incentive this year. I have a paintbrush for each class that I teach. When the students come in, I put it facing up, on Purple. The color has no meaning, except for the fact that it is on top. If I have to warn students about behavior/voice level more than a couple of times, I begin to rotate the brush. The goal is not to have your paintbrush moved. Now, I understand that sometimes the students get chatty, and I am pretty good about a warning or two first, but when it is unfocused, or repeatedly noisy, I reach for the brush. If the students have a day where their brush does not get moved, I put a star on their "Doghouse". I am a huge Snoopy fan, and he adapts well in the art room as a theme. This star system holds the class accountable, and my hope is that some of the group behaviors, and "audience" behaviors get altered. Why get stars you say? Well, I have a list of fun art room incentives that don't cost me a lot of money, and the kids are willing to work for. For 3 stars, I give a sit by your friend day. Six means a "shoes off" art class. Weird yes, smelly for sure, but it's unique enough that the students want it. For nine I will host a bubble gum art class, and for twelve, I'll take students to the computer lab for art. The big prize is fifteen- a free choice art activity day, where I break out the centers and toys. So far, it is working well, and this week, I've had to cash in on some shoes off classes. We leave the shoes in the hall for two reasons. One- I find the shoes are smellier than the feet, and two- the other students see it, and get to talking about it. Hopefully it motivates them to work on their behavior. I love that it does not cost me money and, that the students are having fun with it, and holding me accountable to keep it going. Funny, the students that are concerned about what happens after 15 are the very students who have yet to earn 3- but, we're in negotiations over whether we start over again or we keep thinking up new incentives.
4 comments:
If you start over, maybe try new incentives that would be on par with original ones.
Great idea - group incentives rather than singling out one or two: the kids already know exactly who is causing the paintbrush to move! Most of my groups are excellent - but I have one group that is always disruptive and 'ratty' - I think I'll give this a go!!
I'm lovin' that you are using non-food, art-based incentives / rewards. Creative lady in many ways...
Haha! I love the shoe idea! It's always so weird how they love that weird stuff! I also like the rotating paint brush!
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