Well, I have been doing three star homework in my classroom since school started. As in any classroom, I have the same group of people always completing three star, the same group who muddle through with a few two stars throughout the week, and amazingly enough, the constant one stars and those few who never do any at all. With the second quarter starting last week, I decided to add a twist. I know that one of the major points with WBT is to get rid of cheesy treasure chest prizes, but I was feeling deperate. Here is what I did....
I told the students that they would start earning tickets for homework completion- 1 ticket for one star, 2 for two star, and of course 3 for three star. The tickets were placed in a can for random drawings. The trick is, they never know when I will decide to draw. I might say, "We are having such a great day, I think I will draw a ticket." Other days, I may decide to draw 5 tickets. I can do this a couple times a week, just once a week, or even skip a week or two. We discuss that the more tickets you have, the more chances you have to win!
What do they win? Well, I announce this before I choose a winner(s). I am going to include a treasure chest to keep up the excitement; however, I told them prizes can be extra computer time in place of a math worksheet, extra recess, choosing where to sit, etc. I also thought I may raffle some McDonald's or Wendy's coupons as well as books that they enjoy reading. The treasure chest will include things such as pencils and erasers. I am hoping this will up the motivation for completing homework without handing out prizes constantly. We still keep track of class points earning things as a group such as mind soccer. Last week, I did have more participation with homework, but I am working on a few. Practice cards may have to be used for those who continue to do nothing, after all, that is not making a smart choice and I am definately not happy.
Once a student wins from a ticket, that ticket is thrown out. I will keep the can going for the whole quarter, unless it gets too full from so many three star homeworks!!! Any thought out there?
I told the students that they would start earning tickets for homework completion- 1 ticket for one star, 2 for two star, and of course 3 for three star. The tickets were placed in a can for random drawings. The trick is, they never know when I will decide to draw. I might say, "We are having such a great day, I think I will draw a ticket." Other days, I may decide to draw 5 tickets. I can do this a couple times a week, just once a week, or even skip a week or two. We discuss that the more tickets you have, the more chances you have to win!
What do they win? Well, I announce this before I choose a winner(s). I am going to include a treasure chest to keep up the excitement; however, I told them prizes can be extra computer time in place of a math worksheet, extra recess, choosing where to sit, etc. I also thought I may raffle some McDonald's or Wendy's coupons as well as books that they enjoy reading. The treasure chest will include things such as pencils and erasers. I am hoping this will up the motivation for completing homework without handing out prizes constantly. We still keep track of class points earning things as a group such as mind soccer. Last week, I did have more participation with homework, but I am working on a few. Practice cards may have to be used for those who continue to do nothing, after all, that is not making a smart choice and I am definately not happy.
Once a student wins from a ticket, that ticket is thrown out. I will keep the can going for the whole quarter, unless it gets too full from so many three star homeworks!!! Any thought out there?
Thats a good idea... I hope it will get stuffed full from three-star homeworks! Are there some kids in yoru class who won't do their homework even WITH motivators like that?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Angel. Unfortunately, I have students that do not have parental guidance or support. These students often times do not have any one to help them or encourage them to do homework. If this is the case, I try to accomodate these students first thing in the morning to work with myself or an aid if possible.
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