One of the nicest, most well-intentioned students in my class recently asked me why I wasn’t throwing parties when milestones were reached (consecutive days of working together without problems).  I told her that I did not believe in rewarding behavior that benefits the classroom community.  I tried to explain that Coke and candy parties begin to be the motivating factor for change, not acceptable, appropriate student choices.  She nodded, affirmed her understanding of my classroom management decision, and then proceeded to ask my when we would have our Coke and candy party just one week later.

“All of the other classes are having parties, Mr. K!”

This conversation reemerged in my brain as I read Dan’s call for ideas in What Can You Do With This: Schrute Bucks.  Here’s what I did with it…

Thanks to Dan for the provocation and Alfie Kohn for the research.  All of my resources for this video can be found by clicking on this link.

References:

Nataliej. “Instant Fave Stickers!.” Flickr. 20 Dec. 2007. 26 Oct. 2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/98894117@N00/2125022617/.