Middle School Rewards That Don't Cost You a Penny!

Middle School Rewards

Are you searching for a way to motivate your middle school students? Found a way to track positive behavior but not sure what to do now? Treasure box? No, that's too elementary. Prizes? No, that's too expensive. Reward coupons are the way to go! Your students will love the opportunity to be rewarded with things that matter to them. Plus, these no-cost options will cut down on the amount of money you need to spend on your classroom! Or, really, just allow you to spend it on other things because let's be real, you'll probably need more pencils or tissues soon!



Check out the reward coupon options I provide my students:

1. Choose your seat for the day

This is one of the most sought-after rewards in classrooms with seating charts. If you do not use seating charts, you can still use this reward; simply let students choose the type of seat they sit on. If you are REALLY flexible, you could even let your seat (at your desk or anywhere else in the room) be a choice. 

2. Free assignment pass

My students LOVE this reward. It becomes especially popular close to the end of the grading period. Weird, right?! #procrastinatorsunite 

3. Assignment extension

This one can be really helpful for student-athletes. In my 7th grade classes, it's often their first time trying to balance practice, games, AND school work. I'm thankful that my school supports students' interests but still holds them accountable.

4. Extra credit points

I find it funny that the students who like extra credit the most, are usually the ones who don't need it! Don't tell anybody, but I was that kid! 🙋

5. Drop the lowest grade

Some teachers use this practice routinely, but if you don't this can be a great reward. You may want/need to add some qualifying information to this reward; like it must be a daily grade, not a test or project grade.  Please make sure you abide by your district/building policies regarding grades.

6. Work in the hallway 

This is a reward because of the freedom. Middle school students love to feel free, like they have control, and that you are not watching their every-single-move!

7. Listen to music while working

This reward is easy if you are in a district/building with 1-1 devices or if you are a little more lenient with your cell phone policy. I do include a couple of qualifying statements with this reward - It can ONLY be used during independent work time and the student MUST have headphones.

Image by Karolina Grabowska 

8. Work with a friend

Who doesn't like to work with their friends?! The social aspect of middle school life is central. Sure, this probably shouldn't be redeemed on test day, but on daily work, why not?

Clipart from Pigknit

9. Bring a snack to class

I have a snack DRAWER in my desk, so I am definitely not opposed to snacks in the classroom. I know some people worry about mess, if you are one of those people...add some guidelines to this reward.

10. Bring a drink to class

I would recommend that you tell your students that their drinks should have a screw-top lid. Less chance of spillage. 

Image by Kaleb Tapp

                                   

11. Chew gum in class

Gum is precious commodity. I don't know about your school, but at my school, if you are the kid with gum, you are the most popular! 

12. Eat lunch in the classroom 

This is something that often happens at the elementary level, but sometimes we forget that older students want to build those connections with adults too.

13. Wear a hat in class

At the middle school level, you may not have the authority to say that a student can wear a hat all day long, but the hat reward can be redeemed when that student is in your classroom.

14. Take off your shoes in class

I know some people find this gross but think about how you get comfy.  I don't know about you, but one of the first things I do when I get home is slip off my shoes!

Image by Jacob Owens 

15. Free time

A free time reward can come in many formats to fit your classroom environment. Some free time rewards I have used include time to read a personal book, draw, play on technology, play board games, do puzzles, and just time to chat with friends (as long as it doesn't interrupt the rest of the classroom.

You can purchase a set of ready-made reward cards from my Teachers Pay Teachers store - Here

Amazing Prime Day Deals for Teachers!

Mowder's Middle School Muddlings is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

I frequently see posts from teachers who "stalk" their local (and some go to multiple) Target stores to see when the back to school items are out. There are also teachers who spend HOURS at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Man, I admire their dedication to having a well supplied, super cute, classroom. I just don't have the time or energy for that! Anyone else in the same boat?

Amazon Prime is more my speed.  A few clicks on my phone and boom, classroom supplies delivered to my door in a couple of days! I usually do this while I'm watching my daughter's gymnastics class or soccer game, sometimes while she is in the bath...if she's not splashing water on me! I can even do it during my plan time at school, when I notice something is running low.

Prime Day is my favorite and this year Amazon are giving us 2 days to shop these great deals. July 15th and 16th. Not only do I get to shop quickly and easily, but I also get great discounts on stuff I need to start the school year.  Here are a few of the AMAZING deals I've found for Prime Day 2019.

Don't worry if you are not an Amazon Prime member, they are offering a FREE 30-day trial! Click here to sign up - Amazon Prime sign up You can cancel your membership at any time.



Check out this link if you want to shop ALL Prime Day Deals - 2019 Amazon Prime Day

5 Steps for Effective Classroom Management in Middle School

5 Steps for Effective Classroom 

Management in Middle School 

Have you ever felt like your classroom is out of control? Or, wondered how much better your lessons could be if you could just get those students to listen? I sure have! There have been times when I have wondered why those students won't listen or why those students won't follow the rules.  Until I realized, those students don't set the tone for my classroom, I do. My classroom management needed some work.  I know it is difficult for educators to admit we are not perfect, but since you can't change other people, the only thing left to do is to change you.

Classroom management isn't just one thing. It's all the little things you do every day that keep your classroom running smoothly, your students engaged and learning. It's not some elusive little creature that you have to spend years searching for. It takes planning and effort, but all educators are capable of effective classroom management!

Middle school students and classrooms are unique though. Many techniques that work at the elementary level, simply do not translate to middle school (think clip/color charts, etc). Here are 5 steps you can take to become more effective in your classroom management skills at the middle school level.

1. Relationships

Hopefully, this is not the first time you have heard that building relationships is important in education. Your students truly will care more about what you are saying if they know that you care about them. I know it seems like a lot of middle school students walk around with a chip on their shoulder. They do this because life really is difficult for them. Middle school is HARD. Adolescence is HARD. The sooner you realize (or remember...you were in middle school once too) this, the better for you and your students. 

Spend time getting to know your students and let them get to know you too.  Start the year off with interest inventories (grab your free copy here), games, and conversations with your students...not about school stuff! Continue this throughout the year.  Try introducing a 3-5 minute share out time at the beginning of each class period, but try not to worry if those 5 minutes turn into 10. You WILL get that instructional time back as your classroom starts to run more effectively.

2. Expectations

In the middle school classroom, you will get more "buy-in" from your students if you allow them some autonomy. Involving them in creating the classroom expectations will go a long way with middle schoolers. Each year, I allow my classes (5 sections of 7th grade social studies) to create their own classroom constitution. I begin by asking them, "What do you want our classroom to be like?" They will tell you they want to be treated with respect, kindness, etc. I usually probe and ask them to be more specific, to tell me what it looks or sounds like to be treated with respect. More often than not, they will come up with a list of expectations that is almost identical to the list I used to provide.

Click here to get a free copy of this classroom constitution template

3. Procedures

This is the stuff you get to decide; the everyday movement around your classroom. Do your students know what to do when they need a pencil or to go to the bathroom? What about when they are done with their work? Or when they have missed a day of class? Having well defined, and PRACTICED procedures will help your classroom run more efficiently.

I like to begin the year (not day one...that's for getting to know your students) with signs up around the room to help students locate things and understand what they are for. I model how I expect these procedures to be completed and then we practice them. Sometimes it's fun to do it the wrong way and listen to your students correct you!

4. Clear and consistent consequences

Your students will be more comfortable if they know how you are going to respond when one of the classroom expectations or procedures are not followed. If your response is always to yell, your students may have difficulty trusting you (remember how important relationship are!) However, if you don't react at all, you run the risk of losing control of your classroom. So, what should you do?

This is the perfect opportunity to allow your middle schoolers some more autonomy! Involve them in creating the consequences for violating the expectations THEY put in place. Obviously, the students have no control over consequences for major offenses (violence, drugs, etc.), but they can have control over how to respond when someone in the class disrupts their learning environment or doesn't pull their weight during group work. For the time they are in your class together, they are a team or a family, and they need to figure out how to work together to create an optimal learning environment, for everyone.

It is also important to have clear and consistent consequences when YOUR procedures (remember, these are the everyday movement around the classroom details) are not followed. Do you have a non-verbal response? A verbal response? A written response? What do you do if one student violates the same procedure multiple times during a class period? Your responses may vary depending on your school discipline system. However, they should always be consistent.

So far, these have all been behavioral consequences, but can also be academic consequences when procedures aren't followed in your classroom. When students don't turn in work, when it's late, or when it's plagiarized. In these instances, you MUST make sure your procedures and consequences are in line with your building and district policies. I find it helpful to have these procedures and consequences in a document that all students (and parents) receive and are required to sign during the first week, or two, of school. That way, when you have a student or parent (that's right, I said when...it will happen) who disagrees with something you have done, you have documentation that they had been informed of, and agreed to, your procedures and consequences.

5. Relationships

I know I already said relationships, but they REALLY are that important. Invest in your students, as much as you can, and you will see a difference in your classroom. Forget not smiling until after Christmas and enjoy the time you spend with your students!

The Journal of Educational Studies published this - 

"student learning is influenced by building relationships, availability, and organisation of classroom resources, establishing classroom guidelines, and making the students feel safe and cared about in the classroom." 

- Christopher Barksdale, Michelle L. Peters & Antonio Corrales (2019) Middle school students’ perceptions of classroom climate and its relationship to achievement, Educational Studies, DOI: 10.1080/03055698.2019.1664411

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