My cooperating teacher believes in positive reinforcement and rewards for good behavior. To achieve this, she uses a system in which the children receive play money for good behavior, or must pay their money for bad behavior. Students accumulate ten cents every school day because going to school is their job. They receive other incentives based on good work, behavior, turning in homework, bringing back forms on time, etc. Weekly homework logs are sent home with the students to be signed by the parents, and if the completed homework log is returned, the child receives money. This log is called their “behavior bank” where they count up all their money and rate their behavior for the week. Reasons to make them pay money include: talking in the hallway and violating any class rules; Messy cubbies and not having a name on a paper can also result in paying money. As a reward for earning money, the teacher has a store open at the end of each month. At the store, students can buy various items costing various amounts of money. This serves as the motivation for students to earn money rather than pay money. Half way through the year there is a big shopping spree where everyone spends all their money and each student gets a fresh start.
I believe my CT is very smart and good at managing behavior. I was taken aback at first by the nature of paying students and having students pay for behavior. I’m not sure whether I would continue this method with my future students, but I see benefits and successes every day. Inevitably throughout the year students will change and have difficulties. No behavior management system is perfect. The kids are really testing me at this point so I hope to get more comfortable with my CT’s system so that I can have good behavior while I teach. The nice thing about a system like money is that you can be consistent and firm, but it can be a little difficult to learn and maneuver. I think the more time I spend in my classroom the more I will learn and be successful at managing behavior!
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