Rewards vs. Bribes: What's the Difference?

How do you know the difference between when you are rewarding student behavior, bribing student behavior or holding them to logical consequences?

This is really important because if you are bribing and bargaining with your students - you are in deep doodoo.  It often sneaks up on you and before you know it - you are selling your soul for a little piece of mind in the classroom.

Not any more because I have some Teaching Truth for you!  I love teaching truths!

The true reward is the satisfaction of doing the right thing.  It builds character.

Many teachers get confused about the difference between rewarding and bribing.  Isn’t it all the same thing anyway?   Nope.  Not even.  

I can give you the bottom line in two words:  compensation and persuading.   It is that simple.  Here is an example of how this works:

FiFi the poodle is running wildly out the front door and down the street. (Hey - sometimes it could be a student. . . .)

• SCENARIO 1:  You call to FiFi and say "Stop!  Sit down Fifi!"  Fifi obeys you and sits down.  You go and give Fifi a doggie treat.  You just rewarded Fifi for correct behavior (doing the right thing).  Fifi has been compensated for doing what you asked.

• SCENARIO 2:  You call to FiFi and say "Stop! Sit down FiFi!"  But FiFi keeps running.  You call your command again.  No response from FiFi.  You are worried about her safety so you rush to get a treat and anxiously say, "Look FiFi, come to me and you can have a treat!"   FiFi stops running from you and turns around to come for the treat. You are bribing FiFi into doing what you want her too.  You have just persuaded Fifi.

Do you see the difference?  Let’s break it down even further.  How does it look in the classroom:

Rewards are used to REINFORCE appropriate behavior.  A student is asked to complete a paper first thing each morning.  The student complies and does as he was asked.  He is rewarded for his appropriate action with a trip to the treasure chest on Friday.  

Bribes are used to persuade students to do what you want them to.  But here is the catch. 
Say for example, this same student is asked to complete a paper first thing each morning.  The student does not do the work and even worse, distracts other students from their work.  The teacher is at his wits end with the lack of work being done.  "Hey!"  he says to this student, "If you finish your work every morning this week - we will have a movie on Friday."  The student responds (with a sparkle in the eye) "Can I pick it?"  "Sure" replies the teacher.

• The student was bribed into doing the appropriate behavior.
• The student DID NOT demonstrate any personal motivation to do what is expected.
• Respect and responsibility are completely missing from this situation.  In fact, the student was ignoring the teacher's instructions outright.

While rewarding students has it pitfalls, it does demand that the student is demonstrating personal responsibility to do the right thing.   This is a good thing. 


Whereas bribing actually REINFORCES that the student does not need to do the right thing to get what they want.  They can manipulate and hassle the teacher into rewarding them for doing the wrong thing! 

SALLY'S TEACHING TRUTH - it never works to bribe and bargain with your class!  It is setting yourself up for more chaos!  Yikes! 

The most effective method is logical consequences.  It does not reward or bribe.  It teaches and guides!  (The Classroom Management Boot Camp dives into this big time.)

BIG OLE QUESTION:
In the comments below tell me - Where do you think the Light systems fit in (like the red light/green light and similar methods)?  Are they rewards?  Bribes?  Logical consequences?  Love to hear your opinion!!

2 Easy Tree Habitats - Part 3

Ohh, these are so fun!  Here are my tree habitats with nests.

Here's how to make a simple nest:

 Wrap a piece of brown tissue paper around your thumb.

Glue with a glue stick.  Presto! A Nest!

Owl Habitat
Owls can live in tree trunks and tree holes.  They will make a nest.

 Draw paper owls and owlets.

Bird Habitat

Draw paper birds and eggs!

I ask the children to draw what the bird or owl eats and place it in their habitat.  This takes this to a story telling habitat that the children can tell their families the life cycle of a bird or owl or whatever!

Have fun!

3-D Trees - The Four Seasons (Part 2)

This article continues a series on 3-D habitats and science topics. To learn how to make a brown bag tree, please refer to Part 1.

Today, I am going to share how I use these simple bag trees to construct the four seasons.  You can have the children each make their own seasonal tree or make a large class tree out of a grocery sack and create a seasonal setting.

FALL TREE:  I prefer to use tissue paper as it is easy to tear and glue.  You can also use construction paper.

Apply torn tissue paper with Elmer's glue.  A Q-tip works well.  I tell the children to "dot" the branch with glue and press the tissue paper into the dot.

It is fun to leave a few torn tissues laying at the bottom of the fall tree!

SPRING TREE:  I love to purchase tissue paper on clearance.  Here I found a great tissue paper at Target that I used for the Spring Tree.  Again, just tear it!

To add the spring gesture - add a few blossoms in the tree.  I love the glorious blossoms on trees in spring!

SUMMER TREE: I use dark green tissue paper for the full lush of summer!

WINTER TREE:  Make up a batch of snow paint and you have a wonderful winter tree!

(Snow Paint:  in a Dixie cup, squirt one shot of shaving cream, add a squeeze of glue, and a squeeze of white paint.  Be careful to not add too much glue and paint!  Keep it fluffy!  Apply with a popsicle stick!)

COMMON CORE STANDARDS
FOCUS:  Non-Fiction Books - Informational text such as 

Watching the Seasons (Welcome Books: Watching Nature) by Edana Eckart

Possible application:
Students read text about the four seasons and then create a 3-D representation of their understanding.  Additionally, after creating the seasonal tree, the students could write about the season.

• Speaking & Listening Standard: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas  
• Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
• Language Art Standard: Vocabulary
• Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., use of vocabulary to describe and identify seasons through trees).
• Writing Standard: Text Types and Purposes
• Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite season is . . .)

3-D Paper Habitats 101 - Part 1

There are three basic 3-dimensional techniques to have in your teaching toolbox.  These three habitat basics can be used to have children demonstrate their understandings of current science studies or character settings. Over the next week, I am going to share how to make these habitats.  On Friday I will cover how they can fulfill Common Core Standards.  Stay tuned for a rocking week!

Today I am going to show you how to make a basic paper bag tree.

 Begin with an open bag.  I glue it down on a paper plate for kindergarten.  Older grades will not need this support.

 Have the children cut half way down the bag to make the branches.  Tell the children to use their pinkies to measure how far apart to make the cuts.

 Next, twist the bottom of the bag to form the trunk.

 Twist each branch.  Older children can stop just before the end and cut the end into two more branches.

 Twist those two ends on each branch.

 Older grades, twist the bottom corners for roots.

 Glue to paper plate or other surface to begin creating habitat.  

Go ahead and grab a brown bag and try to make one!  If you have any questions - let me know because you will not want to miss tomorrow when I will show you how to make the four seasons with these trees!

Tuesday I will show you how to make animal habitats in these trees.  

Oh, how the possibilities are endless!!!!!

Volcanoes!

Start with all your old playdough!  Mix it together for that great swirly look!  (Or make a batch click here for recipe.)

You will also need a big ole piece of sidewalk chalk.

Place a handful of playdough on a plastic plate.

Push the chalk into the playdough to create a volcano shape.  Squish the sides into a nice volcano shape.  Leave that chalk there and let the playdough dry.  (Remove the chalk after a few hours so it will dry inside as well!)

 Once the volcano is dry (may take a few days!), you are ready to put a heaping tablespoon of baking soda into the center of that volcano.

 I prepare a cup of vinegar that I have colored with red food dye for each child.

We "explode" our volcanoes outside!  So much fun!  A kindergarten favorite!

SOLD OUT!

The Classroom Management Boot Camp is now sold out!  Thank you everyone for your interest!  I will be holding this course again in October.  Watch for details!

Sally

Classroom Management Bootcamp! Oh yeah!

The Secret on how to own your authority in the classroom!

 Find your inner ninja!

You have really given me my power back! - Donna B

Thank you again for this insightful course you renewed my passion as a teacher! - Marci L

The Classroom Management Bootcamp* is a 5-week course made up of five core topics that will lead you to becoming a classroom management ninja!  

Begins June 23
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Take the course in the comfort of your home at your leisure. 

You will have access until October!

This course has been formed from my extensive experience in the classroom working with children from poverty to wealth.  This bootcamp will get you what you need now so your next school year will run with more ease and joy.  Oh yeah!  It is the only way to teach!

Never dread the classroom again!

I barely know where to begin when saying how helpful this e-course has been to my teaching practice. This course went beyond my expectations.  I was just shocked that you found time to include so much in so little time.  I could see some of my students rising from the page as you described these behaviors.  I am still fascinated with the four types of brains.  It gives me a way to look at the students and see exactly why they do some of the things that they do.   - Theresa

What exactly, will you learn?

• the three basic styles of classroom management & the driver behind each (this is key to understanding what is not working and WHY) 
• learn the three types of misbehavior and how to deal effectively with each
• the secrets that brain science says about misbehavior and the light it sheds on managing the classroom
• My favorite and highly effective non-verbal corrections and signals and why they work magic on correcting behavior without saying a word!!
• I will give you the four dynamic ways to work with children’s misbehavior and when to use each one.  It is the ultimate plan for managing difficult children.
• Find out how I use a specific powerful conflict resolution technique that gives children the power to solve their own problems and it works!  Amazing!!
• I will share a piece of my Respect Curriculum that addresses the most basic ways we treat one another! 
• You will learn how to access the classroom environment as the third teacher in the room and the five signals your classroom may be an issue.
• You will receive a comprehensive training on child study complete with in depth forms and tools for becoming a teacher researcher. 
• I will give you my strategies for protecting yourself from overwhelm!

• And so much more!

SOLD OUT!

 Classroom Management Boot camp is only $47.

 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING:

I cannot even begin to explain how it has given me much more confidence in my teaching.  This is my first year as a lead and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by a couple of my children.  This course is a saving grace! Thank you so much for giving me the gift of this course.  I have been struggling with a decision to stay at the preschool and teach for next year.  You have really given me my power back and the confidence to realize that I can do this. - Donna B

The way you presented the information was clear and sequential, and it really helped me to consider ways in which I innocently and inadvertently sabotage classroom management in small ways that add up.  It surpassed my expectations. This course was amazing.- Susan T

This is my first online learning and I loved it so!  I just want to thank you Sally for offering this course and giving me a soulful way of looking at my teaching. - Marcia D

  

You have made me think about myself as a teacher and as a person more than I ever had.  My classroom has already changed and the way I feel when I walk in the door is so much better. - Melanie

 

Still not sure?  

This course will give you what it takes to run a smooth classroom.  It requires several key components:

• understanding your own style of classroom management
• how to discover your style of teaching and if it is a fit to your style of classroom management
• uncover your teaching super powers and how to maximize your strengths
• learn about three essential tools to have in your teaching tool box to command a classroom
• get the bottom line on why taking care of yourself is a critical component of classroom management!
• learn three extraordinary techniques for understanding children on a deeper level
• learn the essential needs of your students that must be addressed in the classroom and how to do that with power and effectiveness
• get the best practices for establishing routines and procedures in three easy steps
• get the mechanics of how to set up a dynamic classroom community that fosters love and appreciation for one another
• I will share with you how to connect to your students in a deep and soulful way

Find your passion for managing your classroom.

Are you ready to make next year rock it big time?
Ready to own your inner ninja?
Let's do it!

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Still have questions?  Email me at fairydustteaching@rocketmail.com! 

*aka A Dash of Power: The Heart of Soulful Discipline

Cheap Imaginative Play Ideas!

I am such a huge advocate for imaginative play.  I think children need a good daily dose until at least 9 years of age.  There is a developmental unfoldment of the imagination that provides the ground work for higher order thinking.   Imaginative play provides nourishment for the frontal lobes.  In reality, imaginative play is a very academic activity - we just don't see the results directly.

Here are a few things I found on the internet that I loved!  So easy and cheap!  I have noticed through the years that if I involve the children in the "transformation" of materials - there is a deep appreciation and engagement in the items constructed.  These are a few ideas that the children could be in the process of making them.   Obviously, they can not cut the cardboard but they could help design and paint the item.

From Parents.com - they have a series of ideas for what you can make out of a box!  I loved, loved, loved making things out of boxes as a young girl!

link:  cardboard crafts

Dress up play!  Make costumes for your dramatic play center out of throw aways! Great idea from RealSimple. com!

Link: Brown Bag Costume

Here is a kitchen set made out of a box!  How cool is that?  I found this on pinterest and did not find a site for instructions.  If you know it - please let me know and I will attach it.