Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on October 8, 2018 3:33 am Add to Favorites eRuWaX Reps: 133 Incentives in the classroom: treats When I was in elementary school, a lot of my teachers would pass out candy for participating in certain classroom activities. Answering questions correctly, or jeopardy games, or get an A on a test for instance. I remember my classmates and I were always very enticed by these types of incentives, is this system allowed and praised, or is it frowned upon? What are some alternative approaches besides verbally incentivizing students?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted October 11, 2018 9:21 pm uTaGuv Reps: 200 Currently, it is frowned upon for students in elementary school as there are many allergies and health conscious/restrictive parents. I would check to see if there were allergies in the class, double checking with ESOL parents to ensure they understood the question. I know one of my CTs in an internship would provide a snack for the students after lunch as they had an early lunchtime. If that is all your students will be bribed with, I would go ahead and do it. But if you would like alternative incentives, you could use a treasure chest incentive as it is usually cheap/colorful things that students go nuts for; things like decorative pencils, eraser toppers, stickers, little toys, etc. Votes: +32 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution yJuhuv Reps: 100 If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this.   Posted on: October 14, 2018 3:01 am ePuzej Reps: 200 This is the best solution. I agree that this is frowned upon nowadays due to health reasons and dietary restrictions.   Posted on: February 18, 2019 7:24 pm emetub Reps: 311 I totally agree! There are other ways to bring incentives into your classroom that aren't candy or treats.   Posted on: October 12, 2019 4:50 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted October 12, 2018 11:22 pm baGyvy Reps: 100 In todays classrooms it definitely is not considered appropriate anymore. Many parents do not agree with the idea of giving their students candy but there are other incentives that we can give them. In my classroom we give out goldfish or someone gets to pick a special pencil out of the treasure box and we try and limit candy Votes: +16 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution pyMuba Reps: 202 I do not agree with giving candy to students. This makes them work for candy instead of intrinsically being motivated about their learning.   Posted on: February 20, 2019 12:08 am Haley Kennedy Reps: 227 I do not agree either with giving candy as a reward. Education is about learning not about receiving candy. 9/10   Posted on: February 22, 2019 7:14 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted November 27, 2018 12:52 am ybabaJ Reps: 301 Currently this form of incentive is frowned upon because of allergies and childhood obesity. In elementary schools alternative approaches could be toys in a treasure box, stickers, temporary tattoos, or getting a star on a classroom bulletin board. Votes: +9 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted February 19, 2019 12:08 pm Simone Haddad Reps: 201 As many have already stated, candy and food is now a thing frowned upon as a reward system in the class; for many different reasons. However, there are other things that can be done, such as a treasure box, with items in there that include pencils, erasers, stickers, etc. that the students can chose from, when being rewarded for good behavior in class. The school that I do some volunteer hours at, uses a "bucks" system, where students are given a dollar when they are being rewarded for good behavior and then once a month they can cash in these "bucks" for specific incentives that the whole school can take part in (no uniform, wear a hat, be a special helper). It has helped to create a positive environment at the school; but like any extrinsic reward system, one needs to be careful not to overuse it, otherwise the reward system becomes watered down, and less effective. As a teacher, you can also do things specifically for your class, such as students who earn enough points throughout the week get to have lunch with the teacher on Fridays, this is also a pretty popular thing for Elementary students, as they want to spend time with their teachers and feel important. Votes: +5 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted February 18, 2019 6:11 pm aduNaQ Reps: 201 I think it really depends on how you administration feels. There's a difference between giving students candy and maybe some goldfish. Positive reinforcements are great, but you have see how your admin feels and what your students are interested in. Maybe start a point system for the students and after a certain number of points, they get a bigger incentive. Votes: +5 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution ePuzej Reps: 200 I think checking with the administration is great. However, we must keep in mind the dietary restrictions of certain students and that candy is not healthy.   Posted on: February 18, 2019 7:25 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted February 18, 2019 3:48 pm yGedeb Reps: 202 My school has a no candy policy. Candy is unhealthy, and there are many allergies to be considered. I love to use incentives such as extra credit points (2) on a test if it is a jeopardy game. I also give out pencils or erasers as prizes. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted February 18, 2019 8:39 pm rySuRy Reps: 102 I think candy is inappropriate because of obesity and allergies. There are many other ways that you can entice your students and provide incentives, such as a treasure box with stickers, toys, etc. There are many apps that teachers can download that help track behavior and provide points to students who are doing the right thing. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted February 20, 2019 8:56 pm Lavede Reps: 201 This system while effective in the short term can be rather damaging in the long term. Students will begin to only follow directions or do good things if a reward is provided. I have a student in my internship who is struggling with this. She gets very upset when her name doesn't get moved up or when she doesn't get a superstar note. I think the best thing to do is to establish your expectations very clearly at the beginning of the year. Students need to know that you expect them to behave well. If they go above and beyond, then a reward may be given out. However, students should participate in classroom activities regardless of a reward. If you want alternative incentives, depending on the age, I would propose doing a lunch bunch (having the kids eat with you) or a Fun Friday. If students get a certain amount of points as an individual or as a group, they can earn these fun times! Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted February 22, 2019 1:57 am zuMuGe Reps: 203 In the school that I am at, it is very common to see teachers give "treats" (ie candy, chocolate, etc.) as an incentive. I personally do not do this and instead I use Class Dojo for them to earn points. Once they have so many points, they can shop in our class store for coupons such as, no homework pass, have lunch with a teacher, stinky feet pass, brain break, etc. All of my students love these passes and I believe they can get more of an experience out of incentives like these then they would by being offered a "treat". Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted February 23, 2019 5:31 pm XuNaWa Reps: 202 It depends on your personal pedagogical philosophy. Some educators claim that these extrinsic motivational techniques deter students from garnering a 'love' for learning. Meanwhile, I believe that sometimes content can be dry, so a little extra motivation is necessary to power through it! Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted October 7, 2019 2:51 pm eLutan Reps: 100 I currently work in a classroom and it has not shown to be an issue in my classroom with the candy but in many classrooms it is an issue. Something else that you can do would to have a treasure box with little trinkets in it or pencils or erasers. Candy does not always have to be an incentive in your classroom but it is something that can be used. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted October 13, 2018 3:40 am Xezuda Reps: 102 “If I were in this situation, I would continue doing this because I know I have seen this as a volunteer and it really get the students involved. Maybe you could have a treasure test and allow everyone to have a chance to get something out of it instead of just the ones who get A's or get an answer correct. Votes: +3 / -8 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted February 24, 2019 8:45 pm Jean J Reps: 200 You could give them reward papers, and then when they have earned enough they can buy things like pencils, fun erasers...things like this instead of candy. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted October 9, 2019 3:56 pm Haley Kennedy Reps: 227 Like other posters have said it is frowned upon today. Which is sad. I remember getting the candy and loved it. I know all the students tried to answer as many questions as possible to get candy. It definitely got everyone participating. But due to health reasons teachers can not do this anymore. Instead try to offer other rewards like the teachers chair, lunch with the teacher, or line leader. Something students enjoy. But do not over do this reward system either. It needs to be for good causes. You want to reward students but not for every single thing they do. That was the issue with candy. Students only did it when candy was involved. Try offering these new rewards on the down low so students do not expect it. This will hopefully encourage students to try and answer questions in hopes they are the lucky winner. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 15 Posted October 10, 2019 5:42 pm hymagy Reps: 201 I would not use candy in my classroom. I would try to involve another incentive like earning points or money for them to spend on rewards like eating lunch with the teacher, treasure box, buying a book, or different things that would interest them. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 16 Posted October 14, 2019 3:02 am Brittany Reps: 300 Giving out "candy" is frowned upon in schools now! But, children still work for yummy snacks. Gummies, gold fish, even fruit loops. But, if food is still out the window, I remember in elementary school having a "marble jar". This jar was to be filled up to the top and when it did, the whole class got something good out of it. Whether that be extra recess, or the treat, extra break time, no quiz that week. Something worth them wanting to work towards a marble for! Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 17 Posted February 19, 2019 11:51 pm Kathy Allen Reps: 200 Many of these solutions are great and I stand behind them 100%! In addition, my CT uses a "money manager" system where students are given money that they can use or save up to buy different things in the class store. There are usually toys in it and, at most once a month, there are snacks that the students can buy. My CT has taken the time and initiative to get to know the students and talk to the parents about what was acceptable or not to have in the classroom. However, the students LOVE the class store with the toys in it. Votes: +2 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 18 Posted February 20, 2019 12:56 am Faith Graham Reps: 210 My CT provides students with healthy snacks if they are hungry through out the day but not as incentives. She has a dry erase paper on every students desk and they get points for doing certain things like going to the restroom without getting out of control or having a good lunch. Students also earn extra points for getting good grades and other activities. At the end of the day the students who have a certain amount of points can pick any prize from the bag. Sometimes students can get 2 or 3 prizes in one day. These prizes are pencils, toys, books, just a bunch of random things from dollar tree. The students love it. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 19 Posted October 9, 2019 5:10 pm Taylor Smith Reps: 105 i think it is still a great way to encourage positive behavior and performance in the classroom. Other ways could be "fake dollars" where student can buy themselves treats or prizes at the end of the week. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 20 Posted February 25, 2019 3:16 am eHuPas Reps: 200 I would bring in healthier treats like orange slices or granola bars. Just make sure to know any and all allergies in your class. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution PydaJu Reps: 2 iagree   Posted on: March 28, 2019 1:36 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 21 Posted October 7, 2019 8:44 pm byRyLe Reps: 202 This system is allowed, however the health benefits or lack thereof may be frowned upon. Giving other incentives such as, extra computer time, brain breaks, dance parties, homework passes, sitting in the teacher's chair, etc. are all possible physical incentives to give to students that will not be detrimental to their health! Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 22 Posted October 8, 2019 8:12 pm uPuhuP Reps: 200 As others have mentioned, candy could be frowned upon because of allergies and it's not a healthy option. Some kids only get their nutrition source from school. Instead, you could create a point system that results in homework passes or extra recess which gives the kids more physical movement incorporated in their core classes. Or you could create a coupon system where student can buy pencils, journals, or book covers. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 23 Posted October 19, 2020 1:52 am TePeTe Reps: 200 Due to allergies and other medical issues, giving food or candy as incentives could be risky. Stickers or small toys would work. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 24 Posted October 16, 2022 2:02 am miraya perri Reps: 200 instead of candy you could do stickers or pencils. I do this in my internship in 3rd grade and they are still very inticed by it. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 25 Posted October 17, 2022 3:35 am RamaPy Reps: 206 In the classroom, students can be motivated by extrinsic things such as snacks and trinkets via a treasure box or currency reward system. Depending on what type of reward system you want to structure, you can provide tickets or classroom "dollars" for students to earn by modeling classroom rules or completing personal goals. I feel it is helpful to reward not only "good" behavior, but also for reaching milestones. Each month (or whatever frequency preferred) have the students make an academic goal chart they are comfortable posting in the classroom, so that they can visually track their progress. Each month students will work toward meeting their goals and can accumulate points or currency to spend on rewards such as pencils/pens/erasers, stickers, books, etc.. Teachers can even use this system to create class goals such as lunch outside with the teacher, movie day, pizza party, etc. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 26 Posted February 22, 2023 11:43 pm aBuQat Reps: 200 I share the same experiences in elementary school. Now as I teach PreK, I see treats and toys being main incentives for good behavior. I am in support of the idea as long as it is communicated to the parents and if a parent doesn't want their kid to have sweets, then they can opt-out for toys or stickers as rewards. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 27 Posted February 24, 2023 9:26 pm nySyne Reps: 200 It's looked down upon by many education "theorists", but it's used in practically every classroom I've been in some capacity. I was in a classroom where homework was totally optional, and all they got for completing it was some candy. That classroom saw about 90% of students completing homework on average. It may be looked down upon, but it works. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.