'English dollars' to reward the kids

[KDKeirle]

This is just an idea I got from another teacher I live with. To make fake money which can be given out during normal lessons, then to have the students use it to bid for real things at an auction or whatnot, seemed to work well at my winter camp and works well for my flatmate's normal school lessons.

The things I used were bought by my school, just cheap things like heat packs and snacks.

Attached is a word document with some money I made, just print and cut.

[dapto1]

They're called "pounds". 

[KDKeirle]

trololololl

[glewis]

That's a great idea.  Maybe you could include some target vocabulary for them when they bid at the auction?

[Jrong]

The teacher before me had a similar idea that carried over into my time here. However, I'm currently at a low-level school and I didn't like the fact that the only students who got the "money" were the rich kids who could afford to go to Hagwon and in turn, knew all the answers. They were the ones who got to redeem their 'dollars' for sweets, hotdogs, notebooks, pencils (at the end of the school year English party), when they really didn't need those things as much as the other kids.

Anyways, we worked it out to where every group (groups of four people) has at least 1 or 2 people in it that is "high level" and I give out "group dollars" so if one person in the group answers the question, they all benefit. Seems to make the kids feel better about themselves. I don't give out "dollars" to groups who are misbehaving so it at least gives the students some motivation to at least pretend that they're paying attention.

Another thing I'm changing (this year) is having more "English Cafes" than just one at the end of the year. Students need a constant reminder that their work (attention, assertiveness in class) pays off so I'm trying to get my new Cot to have monthly or bi-weekly "mini-English Cafes" where they can redeem 'dollars' for stuff...

[jsgibson]

I was thinking of doing a similar thing, but instead using a chart.  Then I could put a stamp or sticker on the chart rewarding good behavior or whatever, and that way I would be able to monitor how often certain students are getting "money" and help out good students who are just a little behind on the learning curve.  I figure that way we won't get to the end of the semester and, like you said, have the rich kids get all the fake money too.  Anyone have thoughts on this strategy?
That being said, the groups idea sounds great and I'll definitely try that out once I have an idea on student levels.

[VizionMC]

I used "dollars" last year, redeemable for prizes at the end of each semester.  I didnt typically give them out in class, BUT everyday on my door I posted a conversation starter, "phrase of the day".  Students would seek me out before or after class, in the hallway, lunchroom, office, or outside and say the phrase to me, then they get the dollar.  This helped them practice english (daily) if the were real ambitious.

Sample phrases of the day

"My favorite season is _____"
"When I get older I want to____" 
"_______ is my favorite class because _____"

(wasnt my idea initially, but I love it)

[ericbanuelos10]

This is a great idea to implement! I was wondering how i was going to do a reward system and this might just be it. Thanks!

[bawaugh]

I was advised by my recruiter to bring some coins to give out as prizes, thus have brought some New Zealand 10 cent coins (the lowest available) to give out as rewards.

This will also be useful for my first day showing students money from New Zealand.

[mackgset]

The token economy is a highly effective way to exemplify rewards in a classroom. Token economy was proposed by the well renowned Psychologist, B.F. Skinner. According to Skinner, "This is used primarily in institutions such as psychiatric hospitals, juvenile halls, and prisons.  Certain rules are made explicit in the institution, and behaving yourself appropriately is rewarded with tokens -- poker chips, tickets, funny money, recorded notes, etc.  Certain poor behavior is also often followed by a withdrawal of these tokens.  The tokens can be traded in for desirable things such as candy, cigarettes, games, movies, time out of the institution, and so on.  This has been found to be very effective in maintaining order in these often difficult institutions." Although Skinner's way of token economy was used in psychiatric hospitals, it can also be used in the classroom as well to be a positive reinforcement for students who behave well in class. This can also help students learn how to be responsible with money and they can learn how to speak English when buying something in the real world.

[bawaugh]

I have found a cheaper way of rewarding the class without lollies or money.

Secret prizes.

Great for 4th grade classes.

Tell the class that the winning team or persons get a secret prize at the end of the lesson.

I offer secret prizes  such as

1) Shake the teacher's hand really hard
2) Arm wrestle the teacher.

I use a PPT to show the secret prizes on offer. Students get a choice in prizes.

The students really love the whole idea and want their class mates to arm wrestle the teacher and I save a nice bit of cash. Great way to end a lesson on a high note.

[bobrocket]

We use kiwi $$. With some of the lower levels they had a hard time over a money lesson so this was initially started to combat that side of things, then it caught on and everybody wanted in.
Kids seem to love it, they get $$ for doing well, group prizes, tons of reasons. We made a penalty chart as well, the kids made their own reasons on how they can lose money, $2 if they have to borrow a pencil, $5 if they forget their book....

The templates I used are here, just print and cut

http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,34758.msg237344.html#msg237344