Jackpot! Ideas for Classroom Rewards

Read through this list for reward ideas that will motivate your students.

Academic Activities

  • Go to the library to select a book
  • Help a classmate with an academic assignment
  • Help the teacher to present a lesson (e.g., by completing sample math problem on blackboard, reading a section of text aloud, assisting cooperative learning groups on an activity)
  • Invite an adult "reading buddy" of student's choice to classroom to read with student
  • Listen to books-on-tape
  • Play academic computer games
  • Read a book of his/her choice
  • Read a story aloud to younger children
  • Read aloud to the class
  • Select a class learning activity from a list of choices
  • Select a friend as a "study buddy" on an in-class work assignment
  • Select friends to sit with to complete a cooperative learning activity
  • Spend time (with appropriate supervision) on the Internet at academic sites

Helping Roles

  • 'Adopt' a younger student and earn (through good behavior) daily visits to check in with that student as an older mentor
  • Be appointed timekeeper for an activity: announce a 5-minute warning near end of activity and announce when activity is over
  • Be given responsibility for assigning other students in the class to helping roles, chores, or tasks
  • Complete chores or helpful activities around the classroom
  • Deliver school-wide announcements
  • Help the custodian
  • Help the library media specialist
  • Help a specials teacher (e.g., art, music, gym)
  • Take a note to the main office
  • Work at the school store

Praise/Recognition

  • Be awarded a trophy, medal, or other honor for good behavior/caring attitude
  • Be praised on school-wide announcements for good behavior or caring attitude
  • Be praised privately by the teacher or other adult
  • Design--or post work on--a class or hall bulletin board
  • Get a silent "thumbs up" or other sign from teacher indicating praise and approval
  • Have the teacher call the student's parent/guardian to give positive feedback about the student
  • Have the teacher write a positive note to the student's parent/guardian
  • Post drawings or other artwork in a public place
  • Post writings in a public place
  • Receive a "good job" note from the teacher

Prizes/Privileges/Rewards

  • Allow student to call parent(s)
  • Be allowed to sit, stand, or lie down anywhere in the classroom (short of distracting other children) during story time or independent seat work
  • Be dismissed from school 2 minutes early
  • Be given a 'raffle ticket' that the student writes name on and throws into a fishbowl for prize drawings
  • Be permitted to sit in a reserved section of the lunchroom
  • Be sent to recess 2 minutes earlier than the rest of the class
  • Draw a prize from the class 'prize box'
  • Earn behavior-points or -tokens to be redeemed for prizes or privileges
  • Have first choice in selecting work materials (e.g., scissors, crayons, paper) and/or seating assignments
  • Have lunch in the classroom with the teacher
  • IOU redeemable for credit on one wrong item on a future in-class quiz or homework assignment
  • Receive a coupon to be redeemed at a later time for a preferred activity
  • Receive a sticker
  • Receive candy, gum, or other edible treats
  • Receive pass to "Get out of one homework assignment of your choice"
  • Select a class fun activity from a list of choices
  • Select the pizza toppings for a class pizza party
  • Sit near the teacher
  • Take the lead position in line
  • Tell a joke or riddle to the class

Recreation

  • Be selected by the teacher to accompany another student to a fun activity
  • Get extra gym time with another class
  • Get extra recess time with another class
  • Listen to music
  • Play a game with a friend
  • Play non-academic computer games
  • Select fun activity from "Activity Shelf" (stocked with play materials, games)
  • Spend time (with appropriate supervision) on the Internet at recreational sites
  • Watch part or all of a video (preselected by the teacher and cleared with the student's parent)
  • Work on a jigsaw or other puzzle
  • Write or draw on blackboard/whiteboard/easel paper