This page has been updated for my new website!  The improved page is available under Behavior at TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com.  I've left the old information here so that you don't have to continually switch back and forth between the two sites.  In November 2008, all content will be fully transferred to the new website and this page will redirect you to the correct location.

The photo below might be the most ridiculous-looking behavior mod prop you've ever seen, but trust me, this system is simple, fun, and the kids LOVE it!

You can attach nametags with the pipecleaners to the front of students' desks so that they don't play with them.  Tape only the top of the nametag, so that students can flip it up while seated to add beads to the pipe cleaner.

Basic Principle:

Students earn beads for demonstrating on-task, appropriate behaviors.  A privilege is earned at the end of the week for children who have earned a pre-determined number of beads.

What You Need:

-a pipe cleaner that is several inches long (cut regular pipe cleaners in half) for each child in your class

-a small bag of beads (I use triangular ones)

How To Start the System With Your Class:

-Explain the basic principle of the system (above) to your class. Have them suggest positive classroom behaviors that could earn beads (following directions, not talking when the teacher's talking, etc.) and list them on a chart for the children's reference.

-At the bottom of the chart, write the reward for earning the set number of beads each week and explain it to the class.  Possible rewards could be participation in Fun Friday or free time.  One year I let my kids participate in centers such as play-doh, legos, watercolor paint, math manips, and board games.  This was the ONLY time they got to do these things in third grade so it was a HUGE privilege. 

-Allow the children to ask questions.  Make sure you cover all of the FAQs below (using whatever responses you want for your own teaching situation) if the kids don't ask about something crucial.

-Show students how you have taped one end of a pipe cleaner to each child's desks or desktag. Tell the children that they are responsible for their pipe cleaner and beads.

-Give specific praise to each child in the class and hand them their first bead to put on the pipe cleaner.  This helps the kids feel good about the system and buy into it right away.

What To Do At The End Of The Week:

-At 1:00 pm every Friday (or the last day of the school week), I ask for students to turn in their beads, starting with the child with the most. I'll ask if anyone has 20 beads, then 19, etc.  The children bring them up to me in their open palms for me to 'count' (you know which children you need to really count with!) and then they put them back into my bead box. 

-After a child has returned the beads, s/he gets to sign up for a center on a wipe-off board chart.  This way, the kids who earned the most beads get to pick first.  (My kids can sign up using their name or their number, which is why you see names and numbers on the board). 

-The children who did not earn the specified number of beads are to work silently and independently on an assignment of their choice.

FAQs

-How many beads should my kids have to earn each week?

My kids normally need to earn 10, which equals out to about 2 per day.  I write the bead requirement on my board each week so the kids know.  If it's a short week, or a sub is there, I may lower the requirement.  My former co-worker Erin sometimes raises the bead requirement during the week if the kids have problems at lunch or special classes, the logic being that they need to make up for misbehavior when she's not around.

-What type of things should I give beads for?

ANY behaviors you want to reinforce can earn beads.  Besides the obvious good behaviors, I give beads from time to time for: wearing the school uniform; being on time for school; walking quietly in the hall; getting a compliment from another teacher; lining up quickly after recess; cleaning up materials when first asked (those who keep working or play around quickly learn that when you say 'time's up', you mean it!); using time wisely and staying on task (completing a pre-determined amount of work in a set amount of time: I'll tell the kids they have 15 minutes to do the front of a worksheet, and after that amount of time, I walk around and give out beads to those who have done so, making accomodations for individual kids as needed); etc.

-Do kids get beads individually or do you give them to the whole class?

Both.  Sometimes only a few kids earn them, and sometimes I'll compliment the whole class for a  job well done and give them to everyone.

-What do you say and do when you give beads out?

Sometimes when kids are working, I'll walk around quietly and slip them onto their desks with a whispered encouragement.  Other times, I make a huge deal and reward them in front of the class.  Often, I'll give beads to everyone when the class is doing a good job and give 2 beads to those who needed no reminders to stay on task or did an exceptional job.  Once in awhile when the majority of the class is talking too much and there's a handful of kids really working diligently, I'll say, "Wow, thanks __ and __.  You guys are determined to get this assignment done even when there's noise and distractions all around you.  Come up and get a bead".  The most important thing is to GIVE VERBAL REINFORCEMENTS along with the beads.  The kids need to know exactly what they did right so that they'll do it again.  There should be no mystery surrounding how beads are earned.  Ideally, seeing you smile at them and hearing you verbally reinforce their behaviors should be a greater reward than the bead itself.