Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Pretty cool post that got BURIED.

When I first taught kids, I was the only teacher giving stickers at my hawgwon. I would make them collect 50 stickers, and then their reward was a Jelly Roll pen of their choice. (I bought about 50 pens).

If they were good the entire class, they got a sticker. If they were bad, I took a sticker. Man the kids would cry like I just took their arm off haha.

Another cool idea I got was making a sheet up of say 50 smiley faces. Then either stamping, signing or giving them a sticker to put on the smiley face. After they could just hand me the sheet. My 2nd hawgwon did this, so I would tell the kids they could give the full sheet for some gay 100 won pencil or cheap notebook, or they could save 2 sheets and I would give them a Jelly Roll pen...well most of my students waited and gave me two sheets.

Jelly Roll pens used to be the bomb. Not sure what pens are hot with the kiddies these days. They also used to cost me like 800 won when I would buy 50 of them at a time.

Holyjoe · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa

Something to deal with the "teacher, game!" requests that you get a lot - you can set it up as a real carrot & stick deal.

What you do is write the word "Game" at the bottom of your board, and draw a small arrow at the top of the board pointing downwards. Good work or study is rewarded by extending the line down the board, talking or bad behaviour is punished by erasing part of the line.
It has the added bonus that it helps get the kids to police themselves - they'll often get on the case of another student if they're not behaving properly.

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

A word of caution about extrinsic rewards.
The students just do the activities and work only for the rewards and not for themselves. When the rewards are removed so is their desire to learn.
As teachers we have to develop ways to get the children to intrinsically want to learn english.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

Mr. Pink may i refer you to David Paul's HOw to teach English to CHildren in Asia for a suitable answer. IF i had his book infront of me i would paraphrase a part of it, but its at my work right now.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Yes, I remember reading that too. But the thing is, class control. Without the rewards, it's really hard to maintain a semblance of control.

I agree that learning should be it's own reward, but we are talking about gaining back control over otherwise problem classes.

Whatever works.........

Cheers

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

We also use the sticker system and we have a "talent" day every 2 month (I love this day because I don't have to be there). My boss really goes all out and stocks up the rooms. The kids trade their stickers for fake dollars and buy what they want such as notebooks, crayons, hotwheels, etc etc...The system really works. There's nothing like a "minus one" shout to get a kid to shutup.

In my class, if the kids finish the wordsearch puzzles they get a sticker. If everyone finishes too quickly, no one gets one but I'll play a talent game, such as have each team write as many words down as they can that begin with T. Winning teams gets stickers. By the way, kids love that easy game.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

We have a coupon system which works quite well on the younger kids. Problem is the older ones, or really bad ones will throw it in your face cos they're on a rebel trip.. What do you do then...
The reward system is highly effective for kindergarten: i buy a sheet of candies for 100 won that lasts me 6 lessons. The kids are good as gold as a result.

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

jpal75 · Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Location: NeverNeverLand

REWARD
I had "THE TREASURE CHEST".

It's like a game of lottery. I have two boxes. One contains assorted prizes from lollies to trinkets, etc (anything below 1000won) The 2nd box is empty with a tiny slot. I printed out a spreadsheet paper with the words 'chance' on the back of each paper. When a child demonstrates enthusiasm, participation, effort and/or good behaviour they're able to write their name on a piece of paper and place this in the 2nd box. I draw out 3 names after 2weeks. (due to the fact that I would've been broke if I did this everyday) The children whose names that's been drawn out would then have a chance to go through the "treasure box" and pick a prize.

2. Stickers works well. However, I had some classes that this wasn't enough so I extended the idea that if they receive a total of 20 stickers in their workbooks they'll be able to draw a prize from the "treasure chest".

For Punishment
1. I've implemented red and yellow cards, but the yellow cards as WARNING cards. If the child is being disruptive or uncooperative, I casually tape the yellow card on their desks. Usually, the sight of the card in view stops any disruptions. The child receives 3 yellow cards and the 4th leads to a RED card. The RED card means they'll be reprimanded. When I know that a child enjoys a REWARD the privilege will be revoked from him/her. Example name taken out of the "CHANCE" box or exclusion from any class "fun" activities.

Rewards and Punishments should go hand in hand. If you have an excellent REWARD systmen but a poor CONSEQUENCE system then the other will lose it's strenght.