Individual Incentive Systems

What is it: This tool provides a step-by-step procedure to create and implement individual incentive systems with students in your classroom. This tool may be most effective when used in conjunction with classroom &/or school-wide incentive systems, allowing those systems to compliment (rather than compete with) each other.

When to use: Use this tool when a student is consistently not meeting behavioral expectations or is creating mild/moderate classroom disruptions; to reinforce the student when demonstrating appropriate behavior.

Steps to Implement:

1. Determine what type of motivator you want to use (see attached list for ideas). Involve the student by getting feedback about what types of rewards motivate him/her.

2. Review classroom expectations with the student and identify specific target behaviors (1-2) you would like to see the student increase or decrease (ex: stay in one’s seat during teacher directed instruction).

3. Explain clearly and specifically how the incentive system will work in measurable terms (ex: You can earn stickers, Veronica, on this card every time you raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking in class. When you earn 10 stickers on your card, you can draw a prize from the class treasure chest. Let’s practice so you can see how it will work.)

4. Ask the student to role play, demonstrating the appropriate behavior and reward the student.

5. Answer any questions the student has about the program or how it works.

5. In the beginning, reinforce the student with the rewards frequently and consistently so the student will feel successful and see immediate positive consequences for following behavior expectations.

* See attached for sample incentive system and reward ideas

Sample Individual Incentive System Ideas

  • Mystery Motivator: delivers random rewards for appropriate behavior (ex: no swearing). Student receives a card with the days of the week listed. An invisible ink pen is used by the teacher to indicate which days are the reward days by putting an “M” or “star” in the day of the week box. A developer pen in needed for the student to color in the squares to see if an “M” appears. If so, a reward is given for that day if the behavior criterion has been met.
  • Note Home Program: is an informational note that goes from classroom to home and back, providing information between the parents and teacher about the student’s behavior.
  • Self-Monitoring: allows the student to observe and collect data on his/her behavior. Student is given a recording form and instructed to mark down each time a pre-specified target behavior occurs, increasing self-awareness of those behaviors.
  • Behavior Contracting: involves placing contingencies for reinforcement into a written document which is agreed to and signed by the student and teacher. Not only does this contract increase student’s awareness of behaviors, but also increases sets explicit expectations while getting the student’s buy-in/agreement.
  • Lottery/Raffle Tickets: are given to the student to recognize specifically targeted appropriate behavior you wish to increase. Students write their name on earned tickets and deposit them in a container in the classroom. Drawings from the ticket container can be held multiple times a day or weekly to win small prizes.
  • Point Systems: reinforce target behaviors as soon as possible after their occurrence by the teacher awarding the points while giving praise for the specific appropriate behavior s/he exhibited. Points are recorded by the teacher on a point card (or other record keeping system and can later be exchanged for prizes or preferred activities.

Sample Reward Ideas

  • Novelty pencils, pens, stickers, playing cards
  • Favorite celebrity, athlete, storybook character trinket (ex: Tinkerbell eraser, Hello Kitty stickers, Spurs basketball key ring)
  • Lunch with the teacher, principal, or other special adult
  • Holiday prizes (ex: plastic “spider” ring at Halloween or party “hat” for New Year’s)
  • Earning a privilege (ex: bringing a toy or music to share with class)
  • Notes of praise sent home or a phone call to parents
  • Lunch outside or on the cafeteria stage
  • Holding a special job in the class (ex: line leader)
  • Earning extra recess or preferred activity time (ex: computer time for 30 minutes after school)
  • Edible treat
  • Reserved parking space at school or seat on the bus
  • Coupons for gas money, favorite restaurant

Adapted from The Tough Kid Tool Boxby William R. Jensen, Ginger Rhode, & H. Kenton Reavis