Students who earn Bear Bucks can redeem them each month
The concept is easy…. reward the students who display the behavior you seek…. hold the students accountable who don’t, and teach them the proper way…. Spend time with all students, and develop a rapport. Sounds easy, right? It actually takes a lot of time and energy to do it right.
Our school spends money, time, and effort to establish a school climate that is conducive to learning. We have 3 very simple rules:
- Be Safe
- Be Responsible
- Be Respectful
Students engaged in the Dizzy Bat Challenge!
We use a progressive discipline structure that emphasizes patience, education, support, and encouragement. We also inundate the students with positive messages (we really attempt to have a lopsided ratio of positive to negative comments to students). At the conclusion of each month we reflect on the data, and reward those students who earned the “Bear Bucks.”
This month, in addition to “selling” Bacon gear, toys, and technology time, we continued with our “Bear Challenge.” This month’s Bear Challenge was the classic Dizzy Bat (with a twist). The students (and some teachers) spun in a circle for 30 seconds to get real dizzy, then they had to go to the other side of the gym and build a puzzle. Needless to say, the kids loved it. I tried it and literally fell to the floor before regaining my balance to then finish the puzzle. It was so much fun! Just the way school should be!