Rewards-Yay or Nay?

 I have had a treasure chest in my art room for years. I have changed out how they earn something from it several times now. This year I started issuing Depp $'s.  (I must credit my daughter with this idea or I'll hear about it!) Anyway they are magical at times. More with the younger students then the older ones. Students can earn them by being the quietest table, the table that cleans up first OR if they have a spectacular answer (one I wasn't expecting) to a question I asked. I will admit it has been a hectic year and I need to give out the Depp $'s more frequently.

Students are instructed to write their name on the back of the dollar and store it either in their student pocket folder or their class box. My plan is to have them pick from the treasure chest quarterly.

Sooooo you might be wondering where all the wonderful goodies come from that end up in the treasure chest, 'cause I know you're thinking you can't afford to do this.

 

My greatest source for this is conferences. I visit the vendors multiple times, and the little hoarder that I am, I grab up the free samples. (Yes, I actually take an empty suitcase with me.) The way I see it I am building brand recognition among my young artists.  

Another source is the movie theater. What you say? Kids love getting the 3D glasses that I save after going to the movies. Funny story-my daughter donated a bunch of little things for the treasure chest, which included 3D glasses from a movie we took my grandson to. And what do you thing he wanted from the treasure chest?? Yeah, the glasses! My daughter was not amused...........

I get donations to the art room all the time and sometimes that stuff will make it into the treasure chest. I have bagged up crayons and leftover colored pencils at the end of the year to put in the treasure chest. I have also made little sketch books from paper scraps. 

Samples from art fund raisers also make it into the treasure chest. As well as prizes from cereal boxes.

Inexpensive  stuff can be purchased from Oriental Trading. Or one of the many Dollar Stores that have popped up ALL over the place.

Anyway, my grandson helped me to determine what amount of Depp $'s the items should go for. And we put them in the different bins. So technically I will store things in the treasure chest, but they pick from the bins.

  

 

Apparently word has gotten out about the Depp $'s. A first grade teacher told me she was giving a lesson on economics, saving your money versus spending it and the students responded with "oh, you mean like Depp $'s?" Art, math AND economics! Oh yeah!!

I know there are many different opinions on having rewards for students. And I'm not gonna lie-it can be a hassle, especially since it takes up time that I would rather see them working. And I know some will argue that learning and being college and career ready is their reward. But I also believe that we all need to do what works for us in our environment. I'm at a Title One school and the kids love the stuff I collect for them.

Do you have a treasure chest? What are your thoughts? Yay or Nay?

Thanks for reading!!!! And if you get the January issue of School Arts Magazine, check out my clip card!