Does anyone have any ideas or anything that they have used that has not only been successful but gained the approval of their co-teacher?

I suspect that the problem with your reward system was that you monetized it: many teachers here dislike things that smack of gambling and/or monetary transactions. Maybe do something similar but with out turning points into cash, fake or otherwise.
***

For a completely different idea:

I year or two ago, I read about how one teacher turned class participation and behaviour into an RPG.
If a class behaved well, their character leveled up. Every 5 levels, the class character 'evolved' a la Pokemon, and they could choose new stats skill, appearances etc.
Each class would get a separate poster, and would be able to track their own progression against that of other classes etc etc.

It sounded like a lot of work, and might requires some artistic talent on the part of the teacher, but apparently it was a huge hit with the elementary students.

Quote from: trayboarder on February 21, 2014, 01:39:49 PM

Does anyone have any ideas or anything that they have used that has not only been successful but gained the approval of their co-teacher?

I suspect that the problem with your reward system was that you monetized it: many teachers here dislike things that smack of gambling and/or monetary transactions. Maybe do something similar but with out turning points into cash, fake or otherwise.
***

For a completely different idea:

I year or two ago, I read about how one teacher turned class participation and behaviour into an RPG.
If a class behaved well, their character leveled up. Every 5 levels, the class character 'evolved' a la Pokemon, and they could choose new stats skill, appearances etc.
Each class would get a separate poster, and would be able to track their own progression against that of other classes etc etc.

It sounded like a lot of work, and might requires some artistic talent on the part of the teacher, but apparently it was a huge hit with the elementary students.

I'm doing this right now! Instead of Pokemon I'm using Wizards / Knights etc.

To reward individual students, I'm giving them stickers that they can use for class benefits -
10 stickers and you can get out of a class punishment (copying words / silent work if the class is rowdy or disrespectful)
for example.

Also, I have requirements like, only classes that are level 5 can watch a movie at the end of the semester BUT a student in a level 5 class MUST have 10 stickers to watch a movie. This way, students can't just piggyback off the success of the rest of the class.

Wow this is a great idea!.. I would love to try out this RPG style point system .. Unfortunately I'd have to be moving schools before the end of this new semester, maybe I could play around with the idea and see how it goes with this school now. Then carry over the idea to my next school when it's a bit more refined and experienced.  Thanks for the thought.

This is great. But whats the biggest class ye have tried it with?

By any chance does someone have a link or more information about the Pokemon RPG? It sounds like an awesome idea that my students could really get into but I've never done anything like it before. I'm looking for a bit more direction on how to develop something like that.

The Pokemon RPG sounds interesting, but complicated lol.

I just did a quick search online and there are battle simulators and what not online, I have no idea how to switch it to the classroom though!

http://pokemonshowdown.com/

http://pokemon-online.eu/

Maybe the more points your students get then the more they can build their team or battle.  They could even battle each other.

I use ClassDojo.com successfully. There is also an app on the phone.

I start all students off with the same character. After 5 points, they can change their character. I made custom ones as well like superheros and Kpop idols. After 10 points, they can choose a prize (pencil, balloon, notebooks, etc.). They love it!  To not disturb the class in the middle to give a point, I give out a dollar I made with my face on it. After class, they turn in the dollars for points. It really helps me learn their names as well.

I make a class board. It is a competition board based upon stars. I give three stars per week.
One based on students doing their homework, class attitude, and finally class behavior.
The kids love it but I teach 4 and 5th grade elementary level.
The prize at the end of the semester is a pizza party, with juice drinks or cola or water (some kids don't drink soda) as well as a move or activities. It depends on how much time we have and how good the class has been.
the visual representation works well because each class sees how everyone else is doing and this creates a competitive spirit between the classes. Each week the kids come in and talk about where they are as a class and start counting out how many stars it will take them or how many weeks it will take them to take the lead or catch up or win etc..
The board  itself takes some time to make. A good day or so. The first semester i used a thermometer style with each week of the semester on it. It was simple enough.
the second semester I designed a race course track. Just a linear one with a starting and finishing line. I got pictures from google images of trophies and starting and finishing lines and glued them on. Each class had a car pinned to the board. It was basically a picture glued onto a piece of foam board about 3mm in thickness.
Each week if they got 3 stars then they could move the racing car up three levels, one level representing a star. If you want I can post pics of them tomorrow so ye can get an idea of them.
They are nothing special but they worked a treat with all sorts of issues, most notably homework and class discipline. I found that if someone didn't do their homework the class would get annoyed with the students and usually it didn't happen again. there is a fine line with that though and you as a teacher have to be careful that they don't go overboard and start picking on the kid or go too far. I found making the kid apologize in front of the class for letting his/her team down and treat it lightheartedly worked in almost all situations. but then again this is something you have to figure out on a class by class basis. I am really lucky in that I have really good kids in my school...
If classes fall too far behind then bonus point starts can be given for extra special behavior or attitude etc. These ideas are very flexible and can be adapted in a myriad of ways depending on your students and classroom environment...

I use ClassDojo.com successfully. There is also an app on the phone.

I start all students off with the same character. After 5 points, they can change their character. I made custom ones as well like superheros and Kpop idols. After 10 points, they can choose a prize (pencil, balloon, notebooks, etc.). They love it!  To not disturb the class in the middle to give a point, I give out a dollar I made with my face on it. After class, they turn in the dollars for points. It really helps me learn their names as well.

How do you create a customized Avatar without being a student? I'd love to create precustomized ones for them to choose from to save time. I highly doubt they could navigate that site in English :p

Quote from: kevin76 on March 03, 2014, 11:24:42 AM

I make a class board. It is a competition board based upon stars. I give three stars per week.
One based on students doing their homework, class attitude, and finally class behavior.
The kids love it but I teach 4 and 5th grade elementary level.
The prize at the end of the semester is a pizza party, with juice drinks or cola or water (some kids don't drink soda) as well as a move or activities. It depends on how much time we have and how good the class has been.
the visual representation works well because each class sees how everyone else is doing and this creates a competitive spirit between the classes. Each week the kids come in and talk about where they are as a class and start counting out how many stars it will take them or how many weeks it will take them to take the lead or catch up or win etc..
The board  itself takes some time to make. A good day or so. The first semester i used a thermometer style with each week of the semester on it. It was simple enough.
the second semester I designed a race course track. Just a linear one with a starting and finishing line. I got pictures from google images of trophies and starting and finishing lines and glued them on. Each class had a car pinned to the board. It was basically a picture glued onto a piece of foam board about 3mm in thickness.
Each week if they got 3 stars then they could move the racing car up three levels, one level representing a star. If you want I can post pics of them tomorrow so ye can get an idea of them.
They are nothing special but they worked a treat with all sorts of issues, most notably homework and class discipline. I found that if someone didn't do their homework the class would get annoyed with the students and usually it didn't happen again. there is a fine line with that though and you as a teacher have to be careful that they don't go overboard and start picking on the kid or go too far. I found making the kid apologize in front of the class for letting his/her team down and treat it lightheartedly worked in almost all situations. but then again this is something you have to figure out on a class by class basis. I am really lucky in that I have really good kids in my school...
If classes fall too far behind then bonus point starts can be given for extra special behavior or attitude etc. These ideas are very flexible and can be adapted in a myriad of ways depending on your students and classroom environment...

Hi, Kevin,   I'd like to see a visual of what you've done.   If you don't mind posting a pic.    It sounds very interesting.

sure, I'll post it tomorrow morning. I forgot my camera this morning...But I'll definitely post it tomorrow for you