Positive Behavior Reward System (Pom Poms) Update!

Hello there! 

I am very excited to write about the update with the positive behavior system I have implemented in my 5th grade classroom! 

I have to say that I was a little nervous that the students were not going to like the system and that they would think it was too "childish." With that, I was worried that no one would want to take the responsibility to walk over and place a pom pom in the jar. 

HOWEVER, the students are LOVING IT!! 

The students chose to earn pom poms in the following 3 ways: 

1. Follow directions 

2. Show respect for others 

3. Behave at recess and in the hallways

These 3 ways are behaviors that the students know they need to work on so it made me happy that they are recognizing the behaviors that need improvement. 

The first day I implemented the system the students were on their best behavior during their writer's block. They were focused, on task, and following directions. I rewarded the students by placing two pom poms in each jar. They seemed excited but I wasn't sure. 

The next morning the students did an AWESOME job working quietly while eating their breakfast and working on work in the morning. Therefore, I believe they deserved to earn a pom pom. After telling the students why I believe they should earn one I asked for a volunteer to walk over and place a pom pom in the jar. I was nervous that no one was going to want to. BUT TO MY SURPRISE almost ALL students raised their hands eagerly. I chose one student and he carefully thought about which jar to place it into while the other students watched. From there I knew that this was going to be a successful system. :) 

The students keep asking me on a daily basis things like: 

"Are we on our way to earning a pom pom?" 

"Did we do a good job at recess?" 

"Did we earn a pom pom?" 

They are all so excited to earn a pom pom that they are showing the positive behaviors in order to do so. On top of that, I have noticed the students for the first time quietly and respectfully reminding the other students to listen, follow directions, etc. I am very proud that the students are now taking control in showing positive behaviors and creating a warm and nurturing classroom environment. 

Lastly, the students chose to work towards earning extra recess for 4 days for their large jar. 

We are on our way!!

The first pom poms they earned!!

 The 3 behaviors they chose to show in order to earn pom poms

The most recent picture (4 in small jar, 3 in medium sized-jar, and 2 in large jar) 

The poster that I made for the classroom

Positive Behavior Reward System- Pom Poms!

I'm really excited to implement a positive behavior reward system in my 5th grade class tomorrow!

 Our school does not implement PBIS, however, I am trying to tie in a component of the system by rewarding the positive behaviors in the classroom with the goal of eliminating negative behaviors. 

Tomorrow I will have the students brainstorm 3 different ways that they can earn pom poms. This may be three things that they believe they can work on. I will make sure that the students explain what that positive behavior looks like. For example, if they say something that they can work on is being respectful, I will ask them what that looks like. Therefore, the students know exactly how that positive behavior looks. These 3 behaviors will be made into a sign or poster for the students to be able to view at all times. 

How it will work!: 

There will be 3 different jars as seen below. Each jar will be a different reward. The far left jar (the smallest jar) will be the smallest reward and so on. Once each jar is filled, the students earn that reward!

When I see the students following the positive behaviors, I will either put a pom pom(s) into a jar or I will have a student come up and put the pom pom(s) into a jar. If I choose a student to put a pom pom(s) in the jar, I can either have them choose a jar they want to put it in or I can tell them which specific jar they should put it in. Therefore, the smaller jars can be filled up too and I can reward superb behavior by having the students put it into the larger jar. 

It will be important to be as general as possible with the rules of adding pom poms because I want to be able to control it and add pom poms whenever I feel it is earned whether or not it follows the 3 targeted behaviors the students choose. 

The Rewards

1. Small Jar- Choose an item from the "Treasure Box." This includes fun pencils, erasers, stickers, stuffed animals, etc. 

2. Medium Jar- I will have the students choose between choosing their own seats or an extra 10 min of free time at the end of each day. I wanted to have an intangible reward. 

3. Large Jar- With this reward I will have the students brainstorm possible ideas that they would like to earn. I will have the students write down 1-2 things they can work towards and then I will choose 2-3 things that the students can then later vote on. I will give them the suggestion of a popcorn party!

 

I am really excited about implementing this positive behavior system in the class tomorrow and seeing the students work towards filling up the pom pom jars! I will keep you updated on the rewards the students chose as well as how the system is working!