Teacher guide · 3 min read
Classroom Reward System Ideas That Actually Work
A good reward system is simple enough to run every day, fair enough that every student can win, and cheap enough that you never have to buy prizes. Here are the systems teachers stick with, and how to make them last.
By the Bellkit team · Updated
Three rules for any reward system
- Reward effort and choices, not just results. "You kept trying on that problem" works for every student; "you got 100%" only works for some.
- Make the goal reachable. If a reward takes a month, students give up. Start with goals they can reach in a few days.
- Never take earned points away. Losing points for bad behavior makes students stop caring. Handle behavior separately.
Individual reward charts
A personal chart works well for younger students and for anyone working on a specific goal: finishing work, staying in their seat, reading every night. Each time they meet the goal, they fill a star or a square. When the chart is full, they earn the reward written at the bottom.
- Keep the goal specific: "I raise my hand before speaking", not "I behave well".
- 5 to 10 steps is plenty for younger students; older students can manage 20.
- Let the student help choose the reward. They care more about a reward they picked.
- Celebrate a full chart, then start a new one with a slightly harder goal.
Team points
Splitting the class into table teams is one of the most effective systems for whole-class behavior. Teams earn points for being ready first, working quietly, helping each other or tidying up. At the end of the week, the winning team gets a small reward.
Team points work because students encourage each other. Nobody wants to be the reason their team lost a point, so you won't need to say "sit down" nearly as often.
Whole-class goals
A whole-class goal unites everyone: fill a jar with marbles, earn letters to spell PARTY, or reach 50 compliments from other teachers. When the class reaches the goal, everyone gets the reward. It's great for building a positive class culture, especially early in the year.
20 rewards that cost nothing
- Choose the next brain break
- Sit anywhere for a day
- Line leader for the week
- Teacher's helper
- Extra 5 minutes of recess (for the class)
- Homework pass
- Bring a stuffed animal to class
- Show and tell
- Read aloud to the class
- Choose the class read-aloud book
- Use the teacher's chair
- Draw on the whiteboard
- Lunch with the teacher
- A positive note or call home
- Pick the music during work time
- Be the DJ for freeze dance
- Shoes off in class
- Extra computer or free-choice time
- Spin the reward wheel
- Class game afternoon (for a whole-class goal)
Keeping it going all year
- Refresh it every few months. New teams, new chart designs, new rewards.
- Keep it visible. A chart on the wall or a scoreboard on the board reminds everyone without you saying a word.
- Make it quick. If giving a point takes more than two seconds, you'll stop doing it.
- Pair it with praise. "A point for table 3 because they helped a classmate" teaches what you value.