Many classroom rules can be incremental, but younger students need to see instant rewards. Giving a child a sticker for good listening can be encouraging. Additionally, if a teacher splits a class into teams, she can assign one student from each team to be a captain. The captain will collect any tokens the teachers chooses to give each team. After receiving a certain amount of tokens, the team can collect a prize from the treasure chest.
Younger students may appreciate a lunch with the teacher or principal, or a special activity during recess. Older students may enjoy free computer time or game time. To establish an appropriate amount of free time, the teacher can write "10:00" on the board on Mondays. Each time the class makes a good choice, the teacher can add to the 10 minutes by 15 second increments. She can also take time away when the class makes bad behavior choices. On Friday, whatever time remains is game time.
Students will enjoy earning a few extra recess minutes or extra minutes at preferred learning centers. Giving students a chance to slightly change the schedule will give them a sense of empowerment and motivation to succeed. Younger students will be excited about extra responsibilities, which can include being a line leader, a teacher's helper or getting first pick of a game or material. Older students will enjoy using special materials or sitting at the teacher's desk.
Coupons can be given to students as rewards and can be traded in for treats, school supplies or a pass on a homework assignment or a free 100% on a pop quiz. Rafe Esquith, author of "Teach Like your Hair's on Fire," makes his students rent their desk space, and the desks toward the front of the room are more expensive.