Clippin' Coupons

I can't be the only teacher out there who absolutely loathes "The Prize Box", "The Treasure Box", "The Classroom Store", or any other version of these classroom management reward gimmicks. They cost a fortune and are a pain to keep adequately stocked for maximum excitement on the part of the students. I'm here for you. I have a solution for your woes. The Classroom Coupon.  These babies are like gold to my students.  Rather than a choice from a box full of cheap, worthless toys, they get something around our classroom or from me: 



http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Coupons-FREEBIE-1122612



I also throw in a couple of real crowd pleasers (there are only a couple of these in my mix):

• One bagel and cream cheese of your choice from Einstein's, provided by your teacher.
• One thirst-quenching beverage of your choice, provided by your teacher.

Here's how this goes in my classroom.  I have tickets.  Lots of tickets.  The kind you'd use in a raffle (though there are some you can print attached to the coupon document if that's easier).  Whenever a student is exhibiting awesomeness, I give the student a ticket.  They write their name on it and put it in a safe place.  On Fridays, we have a drawing.  Students drop their tickets into a bag and I randomly (for the most part) choose three names.  These students get to choose a classroom coupon.

Even though there are only 3 winners a week, the kids love it.  I saved you some work by making a Word document you can change up to fit your needs.  You can just follow the link under the picture and download it for free!

If you have ideas on how to improve this plan, let me know!

Through the Core

Ah, the common core.  That pesky buzz phrase running rampant around education.  From many it elicits extended strains of profanity while others respond with praise.  I admit, I am in the latter group.  Don't think less of me, but I am loving the content in this new core.  Maybe it's because the core changed the same year I started a new grade so the change wasn't so extreme.  I don't know for sure.  My biggest hurdle thus far has been that the district for which I teach decided to create its own materials for teachers to use.  They started this process a little late and it's taken quite a bit of time to get it finished and usable.  So, without a lot of choice in the matter, I started doing what we all end up doing.  Creating stuff myself.  And it turns out that I like doing it. Again, don't judge because I'm going to share it with you!  Maybe you'll find some useful things along the way that will shorten your outbursts and ease your frustrations - at least for a lesson or two.  That's my hope.