Y’all, I gotta share something with you that has been a game-changer in my classroom. It’s this printable token economy system! Now, I know some of y’all may be thinking “what in the world is a token economy?” but let me tell you, it has seriously transformed the behavior management in my classroom.
Check it out:
So basically, each student starts with a certain number of tokens at the beginning of the day/week/month (depending on how you want to structure it). Throughout the day, they have opportunities to earn more tokens by demonstrating positive behavior (participating in class, being kind to others, etc.).
Then, at the end of the day/week/month, they can cash in their tokens for rewards (like extra computer time, choosing their seat for the day, or even earning a fun party for the whole class)! It’s a system that encourages positive behavior and rewards, rather than focusing on negative consequences.
Why I Love It:
First of all, it’s incredibly easy to implement. All you need is a printed out sheet of tokens (like the one pictured above) and a jar or box to collect them in. You can also customize the rewards to fit your class and your students’ interests, which makes it even more fun for them.
But beyond that, it really does make a difference in how my students behave in class. Instead of always having to reprimand and discipline negative behavior, I can focus on praising and encouraging positive behavior. And it’s amazing how motivated some students can be by a small reward (even just a few extra minutes of computer time)!
I also love that it’s a system that can be used for any age group. I’ve used it with my third graders, but I’ve seen teachers use it with high school students too! It all depends on how you structure the system and the rewards.
How to Get Started:
If you’re interested in trying out a token economy system in your classroom, I highly recommend starting with a printable sheet like the one pictured above. You can find tons of different options on websites like Pinterest (just search “printable token economy” and you’ll see what I mean).
Then, decide on the rules and rewards that will work best for your class. Make sure to explain the system clearly to your students and review it regularly to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Finally, give it a go! You may be surprised at how quickly your students start to respond to the system and how much it changes the overall behavior in your classroom.
Overall, I’m a huge fan of the token economy system and highly recommend it to any teacher looking to improve behavior management in their classroom. Give it a try and let me know how it goes for y’all!
