The Sticker System

This is a system of keeping track and rewarding students. Sometimes students think of learning English as a joke, no matter how much the parents are paying for the lessons. So this system has been implemented in ALL my classes to try to get their attention and keep it for the 30 minutes to an hour of the class time.

The Basic Concept:

I made up a board using everyday construction paper. On the board was the name of each student on the left of the board. I then drew lines across the paper so each student had their own row.

Then any time the student deserved it, I put a sticker or a stamp on the row for that student. After the student had received say 10 stickers/stamps, they get a prize. The prize could consist of an edible treat, a pencil from your homeland, a small inexpensive toy, whatever you feel like giving.

Then I get ALL the students to clap and congratulate the winning student.

Ways for Students to win:

There are many ways for students to win. Here is a short and definitely not complete list. Think of your own ways too!

• Winning team each gets one.
• Top 10 students on tests/quizzes .
• Student who does something special for someone else.
• First student to complete an activity.
• and the list can go on forever.

One of my classes I was a co-homeroom teacher and I had to give tests. So I made it a rule that the person who gets the highest percentage on each test gets 3 stickers, 2nd gets 2 stickers and 3rd gets one sticker. It sure made a difference when it became test time.

You can set up your own rules, but be sure that you follow your own rules without exception.

Anybody else have ideas like these ones that help with keeping the class focused?