Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Trumpcard]

I've just finished my first week working in an elementary school in their after school program. It's gone pretty well and my co-teacher is quite good BUT I'm finding it a little difficulkt to motivate the students. Each class spends about 2/3 of the time doing bookwork then we play games. The previous teacher was big on giving candy but I'm reserving this for Fridays which is Game Day.

I was thinking of making a large monthly poster for each class and adding or removing stickers to it whenever they are good or bad, (either for each student or the class as a whole. This would be known as the 'Candy Chart' which could be seen at all times by the student. On the last day of the month (Pizza Party) they would also recive x number of candy depending on their chart.

Anyone done this before? How would you improve on this idea?

[Countrygirl]

What works for me is a sticker page. They make a picture with their name on it that explains things about them, ie family members, food they like etc. Then you let them put the sticker page on the wall. It also helps me remember their names in the beginning.

When they come into class and have their books open and ready to study before the start time, they get a sticker. If they answer a question correctly, they get a sticker. I make some stickers easy to get (for the not bright students) and I make some stickers very challenging. They will fight to answer and get their work done. If they misbehave I threaten to take a sticker. When I walk over to their page, it's "okay, okay, teacher.".

I tell them that the student that has the most stickers will get a prize on an appointed day. Usually 1/2 way through the semester and at the end of the semester. I buy a cheap present that they can share with their friends, ie smarties.

I've done this the entire time I've been here for my after school classes and camps and it's worked like a charm.

The only difference with my idea and yours is that I only give candy or a treat to a few people and only every few months. I find if the kids get lots of treats, they start to not care about getting or not getting it. And they think of you as the candyman and not the teacher. Also my students put the sticker on their page themselves. They like to count and compare their stickers to their friends.

[D.D.]

We watch interesting (to them) youtube clips and talk about what is happening. They are never a problem if they like the subject.

Wow rewards and punishments please refer to Ned Sneebly about that one ( or the pretend Mr. Sneebly)

[KYC]

For the older kids, I have a reward system. If they receive A's or B's on their tests, they get a sticker. At the end of the semester, I give out presents according to how many stickers they have. I give out candy when they receive the A's and B's as well....and on game day...and game day is...rare lol