Stickers Anyone?

I was the kid in elementary school with the sticker collection.  I loved stickers. I thought I outgrew it, then as a teacher my love of stickers came back full speed.  Then as a parent I have seen how my boys love those crazy water bottle ones... Today, I wanted to share the different sets that I've picked up this year for my classroom. But first, the why.

Because it's motivation to do something hard.

Because it's motivation to keep persevering and participating.

Because it's a reward for accomplishing a goal that costs barely anything.

Because they are fun and I am still teaching kids.  :)

Okay - the different sets I've picked up.  As always, if you order any of these, make sure to look through to make sure nothing inappropriate found their way into the pouches.  And as a disclaimer - I love these, my kids love these, but I'm not getting paid to share about them.  

Football Stickers

Anime Stickers

Emoji Stickers

Disney Stickers

Animal Stickers

Among Us

Roblox Stickers

and I also have picked up Food, Ocean, and Animal Crossing ones, but somehow those links don't look the same anymore...

Now why so many? Well in the fall my students started having their Class Dojo points add up.  It was one thing to make a big deal and award TEAM praises, but it's another thing to have a visual reference to motivate themselves to keep participating... and encourage others to do the same.  So I told the kids my idea, and asked them for ideas for themes of stickers to look for.  They came up with a ton of ideas, and I did my best to stick to my budget and grab some.  

For every 25 Class Dojo points (which it's possible for them to get 1-2 per day), my students get to choose a sticker.  Well, they get to choose a theme, and I get to choose a sticker from that specific pack.  So it's a mystery gift that they get to open.  I have put the sticker into a labeled envelope and stick the envelopes into our office class crate.  Now that some kids are back in class, I can stick it on their desk. It's a super small thing, but it's been a huge incentive this year.  I still do TEAM praises, but now there is something physical to remember their accomplishments.  

Hope you had a great day!

Virtual Classroom Participation Chart

I've been trying really hard this year to help my kids be responsible for their learning.  I've done the same expectations (with a lot of extra grace) as our normal classroom.  Many of my students have risen to the challenge. They just needed to know my expectations.  

As a parent, I made a similar chart for my son, and it worked so great that I gave it to my students as well.  I passed this chart off to my student families, and encouraged the kids to do it. I told them to brag about their checkmarks to me in their private channels. They have. Oh, they have! :) I lift up my chart to the camera as a reminder, and they lift up their own charts on the screen.  They are proud of what they have accomplished this year.

I do use positive reinforcements by giving out Class Dojo points for active participation, teamwork, and high quality work. Some kids still need the physical motivation too, and maybe they aren't getting it at home, so those Class Dojo points add up to those cheap vinyl stickers. It's made an impact. They tell me what theme they want, I pull one out of my collection to add to an envelope that then gets stuck in our office crate for pick up.   

Little things...

Free Reward Cards

One thing that I do every summer is print off a new batch of reward coupons.  These free rewards have been so helpful with my classes the last few years.  I use these in conjunction with Class Dojo.  After so many points the kids get to choose a random one from the mini tub.  I try and focus more on positive praise, and that has helped with some of the behavior issues that have crept up.  They are motivating.

Anyhow, here they are in case anyone else can use them.  Reward cards to print - can print 16 cards per page (just select 4 pages per sheet) can be read just fine. Then laminate them to save for multiple uses.  

Hope this helps!

Classroom Treat Fund

My students will do just about anything for a treat, and they have this almost obsession with bringing in change for different causes. As a school we've collected change for Pennies for Polio, brought in change for the Holiday Shop, etc.  I saw this ice cream bank from Shop Bando (my newest favorite online store) and I was compelled to buy it for my classroom.  I don't have a lot of spare funds to get treats for my kids, but maybe if we work as a class then we can have them a little more often on a Friday afternoon.  Find a penny?  Add it to the bank!  Don't need the quarter?  Add it to the bank!  Class gets a compliment from another teacher?  I'll add to the bank!  When we reach enough, then we can vote for our class party... maybe hot chocolate in the winter, or popcorn during silent reading, or an otter pop on a warm afternoon.  Just something to make learning extra fun... with a side of motivation tucked in there too.  I'm so excited to share this with my students.