Classroom Reward Ideas (That Won’t Cost You Money)

Good behavior is something that all teachers love to see in their classrooms. It’s a great way to create a positive classroom environment, and it also helps with classroom management. Sometimes, however, rewarding students for their good behavior can be challenging. This is especially true when you’re on a tight budget (#TeacherLife). That’s where classroom rewards come in! In this blog post, we’re going to explore some fantastic classroom reward ideas that won’t cost you a penny.

Verbal Praise and Recognition

Let’s start with the basics – verbal praise and recognition! Who doesn’t love a little recognition for their hard work and dedication? When it comes to classroom management, positive reinforcement is key. So, don’t hesitate to give your students some kudos for their good behavior. Whether it’s a simple “good job” or a more elaborate shoutout in front of the whole class, positive reinforcement can go a long way in creating a positive classroom environment.

But why stop at just verbal praise? Here are some specific ideas to take your recognition game to the next level:

1. Superhero Shoutouts: Create a superhero-themed bulletin board and feature different students each week who have demonstrated good behavior. Use comic book-style speech bubbles to highlight their accomplishments and add some superhero flair! Most can do this with the classroom printer, which’ll keep the costs minimal.
2. Smiley Face Stickers: Who doesn’t love a good sticker? Invest in a pack of smiley face stickers and hand them out to students who are going above and beyond. And I have a surprise for you… this even works with grumpy high school students! I am always amazed at what older students will do for a sticker. You can even use stickers or stamps as a whole class reward system by rewarding the entire class every time you catch any one student doing the right thing. A sticker chart like this can be a home run!
3. Class Dojo Points: If you’re not already using Class Dojo in your classroom, now’s the time to start! Use this free app to award points to students for good behavior and track their progress in a fun way. You can even set up rewards for students who reach certain point levels.
4. Punch Cards: Create punch cards for each student and punch a hole every time they demonstrate good behavior. Once they fill up their card, they can earn a special reward like a homework pass or a special treat. This is a great free classroom reward system that is the perfect way to get started on the cheap. What are kids working for? See below.
5. Positive Notes Home: Take a few minutes at the end of the day to write a positive note to one or two students and send it home to their parents. This small gesture can make a big impact and shows your students that their hard work is noticed and appreciated. At the beginning of the year, prep a set of these to use more often as you establish your positive classroom climate.

Special Privileges

Now, let’s talk about special privileges! It’s no secret that kids love feeling like they’re getting something extra special. Offering special privileges can be a great incentive for students to continue demonstrating good behavior. Plus, it’s a great way to build a sense of community in your classroom. Here are some specific ideas to get you started:

1. Preferred Seating: Let your students choose their own seat for the day or week as a reward for their good behavior. This can be a big deal for some students, especially if they get to sit next to their best friend or in a spot with a great view of the classroom. As an extra special reward, let students sit at the teacher’s desk!
2. Classroom Jobs: Designate a special task or job that a student can take on for the day, such as line leader, classroom monitor, or weather reporter. This can help your students feel like they have a special role in the classroom and give them a sense of ownership over their learning environment. These class jobs are the perfect student rewards for your attention seekers (and we all have one of those).
3. Desk Pets: Who says pets are just for home? Consider allowing your students to bring in a small stuffed animal or toy to keep on their desk for the day as a reward for good behavior. Not only is it a fun reward, but it can also be a calming presence for students who may need a little extra comfort during the day. Otherwise, you can designate a special stuffed animal as your class pet. This can be rewarded to students or even small groups of students as a great whole class reward.
4. Extra Computer Time: In today’s technology-driven world, extra computer time can be a coveted reward for students. Allow your students to use a computer during their free time or as a reward for good behavior, and watch their faces light up with excitement. This can also afford you some time to meet with small groups of students or catch up on grading.
5. Special Helper for the Day: Choose a student each day to be the special helper, allowing them to help with various tasks throughout the day such as taking attendance, passing out papers, or erasing the board. This is a great way to make your students feel important and valued in the classroom. It works great for younger students with lots of energy who need that direction and focus.

Certificates and Awards

Certificates and awards are a fantastic way to acknowledge and celebrate individual student achievements and behaviors! Who doesn’t love a shiny, colorful piece of paper or ribbon that says “Great job!”?

Here are some fun and creative ideas for certificates and awards:

1. “Super Reader” certificate: Recognize students who read the most books during a designated time period, such as a month or semester. You could even have a fun ceremony where students get to wear superhero capes and masks as they receive their certificates!
2. “Positive Attitude” award: Encourage students to have a can-do spirit with an award for a great attitude. You could give this award to a student who consistently demonstrates positive behavior and encourages others to do the same.
3. “STEM Superstar” certificate: Acknowledge and celebrate students who excel in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with a “STEM Superstar” certificate. This is a great way to highlight students’ achievements in a specific subject area.
4. “Homework Hero” award: Celebrate students who consistently complete their homework with an award. You could even offer a homework pass as part of the prize!
5. “Classroom Champion” trophy: For a whole-class reward, create a “Classroom Champion” trophy that is awarded to a different small group each week for demonstrating positive behavior, teamwork, or another desired behavior. The trophy could be displayed in the winning group’s area until the next week’s winner is announced.

Positive Notes or Messages

Who doesn’t love a little pick-me-up during the day? Positive notes and messages are an easy and effective way to reward your students for their hard work and positive behavior. Not only do they boost students’ confidence, but they also help to create a positive classroom environment. Here are some fun and creative ideas to get you started:

1. Sticky notes: Write a quick note of encouragement on a colorful sticky note and place it on a student’s desk or in their notebook. You can even add a small sticker or drawing to make it extra special.
2. Virtual shoutouts: In today’s digital age, virtual shoutouts are a great way to acknowledge student success. Use a platform like Google Classroom or ClassDojo to send personalized messages to students and their parents.
3. Positive Postcards: Design your own postcards with positive messages and send them home to parents. This not only rewards your students for their hard work, but also helps to foster positive relationships with families.
4. Highlight of the Day: At the end of each day, share a “highlight of the day” with your class. This could be a positive behavior you observed or a great answer to a difficult question. Celebrate your students’ successes and let them know you appreciate their hard work.
5. Digital Notes: Use a platform like Padlet or Flipgrid to create a digital bulletin board for your class. Encourage students to leave positive notes for each other, and share your own notes of encouragement to keep the positivity flowing.

With these fun and easy ideas, you’ll be able to reward your students for their hard work and positive behavior in a meaningful and memorable way. A handwritten note or message of encouragement can go a long way with students of all ages.

Fun Classroom Activities

Are you ready to add some excitement and joy to your classroom? Fun classroom activities are a great way to reward your students for their hard work and positive behavior. These activities are not only a fun break from the routine, but also provide an opportunity for your students to learn and grow in different ways. Here are some ideas for you to try out:

1. Special Guest: Invite a special guest to come and speak to your class. It can be a local author, a scientist, or even a community member. This not only rewards your students but also exposes them to new experiences and ideas.
2. Favorite Book: Ask your students to vote for their favorite book and then spend a class period reading it together. You can even turn it into a book club and have students share their thoughts and opinions.
3. Common Goal: Set a common goal with your class, such as a certain number of books read or a service project completed. Once the goal is reached, reward your class with a special activity, like brain breaks, a virtual field trip, or a quick game of paper airplanes.
4. Prize Wheel: Create a prize wheel with different rewards, like extra recess, choosing a classroom activity, or bringing a stuffed animal to school. Spin the wheel and let your students win a prize for their hard work.
5. Game Day: Dedicate a class period to playing card or board games your students enjoy, such as Uno, charades, or trivia. This is a great reward that lets your students relax, socialize with their classmates, and practice their teamwork skills.

Who says that rewarding students needs to be boring? So why not try out some fun classroom activities to reward your students! With these ideas, you can create a positive and engaging classroom environment that your students will love.

More Classroom Rewards Ideas

If you are still feeling like you need more ideas that go way beyond a treasure box or prize box so you’re never bribing kids with a piece of candy, then I got you!

There are many fun, effective, and easy ways to reward students for their hard work. Sometimes, though, it can be challenging for teachers to come up with new ideas or to have the time and resources to implement them. That’s why having a set of printable classroom rewards on hand can be a great option for busy teachers. Not only are these rewards easy to use, but they also don’t cost a thing!

Having a set of printable classroom rewards on hand can make classroom management and student motivation easier for a teacher in several ways.

First, it saves time and effort by providing a ready-made solution that can be easily printed and used whenever needed.

Second, it ensures consistency in the way students are rewarded, which can lead to a more positive and productive classroom environment.

Finally, having a set of rewards readily available can help teachers stay motivated and excited about rewarding their students, which can have a positive impact on student motivation as well.

With a set of printable rewards, teachers can mix and match rewards to fit their classroom and student needs, and have a quick and easy way to motivate their students to do their best. Plus, since these rewards don’t cost a thing, teachers can save money while still providing meaningful incentives for their students.

RECAP

Don’t let the cost of rewarding students discourage you from creating a positive classroom environment. You can motivate and encourage your students without spending a dime by implementing simple and effective rewards. From verbal praise to whole-class rewards, you can choose from a variety of great ideas that will make your classroom a fun and positive place to learn. No matter the age group, be it younger children, middle school students, or high schoolers, these rewards are bound to foster intrinsic motivation and make learning more engaging. So, don’t hesitate to try out these classroom reward ideas and see your students thrive!

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