REWARDS and BRIBERY

REWARDS and BRIBERY

I know, I know, I've heard all the arguments.  You shouldn't have to bribe children.  They should do as they are told.  They should be excited about coming to class.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, and so what is more important?

They come to class, and they sit there, and listen to you lecture or read to them the lesson, because that is what Mom and Dad expects. . .

or . . .

They are excited to come to class, they look forward to what is going to happen this week,

They have their Bible in hand, they are ready to go to work when they come in the door, and when they see you outside the classroom,  they have an opinion to offer to you about something that happened in their life, or something that was said in class.

I don't know about you, but the earnest desire of my heart was to get the Word of God into them, and for them to remember something that they were taught while they were under my tutelage.

With this in mind I am a huge proponent of REWARDS, REWARDS, REWARDS . . .

You can't do too much.  Whatever it takes to get my students to participate in my lessons is what I am willing to do.

So, what do I mean by rewards?  Well, first off, I do NOT furnish refreshments for my class.  They must earn their refreshments.  For those who cannot be bothered to earn refreshments, I furnish a pitcher of water, and some plain saltine crackers.





For those who choose to earn refreshments, I offer packs of chips, soda, etc, each with a point value, whatever I can come up with that I think my students will be willing to work for.  I have found that my students love any type of sour candy, most types of chocolate, penny candies, jolly ranchers.  Put each different type in a bucket or container, and assign a specific point value to that container.

I purchase paper play money at the Dollar Store, and use it for points.

Unless the children in my class are very young, my point system is set up on the honor system.  Students earn points, and any time they have sufficient points available, in hand, they may redeem them for a chosen reward.  My students choose their rewards and turn in their points to any assistant.  I do not verify.  If they are cheating over a few pennies worth of candy, there are much bigger things to be concerned over and taught.

I would, however, explain, in the beginning, how the honor system will work, and what your expectations are.  Another understanding I have with my students is, that if I ever find candy wrappers thrown down anywhere, the rewards system will cease.

Each student should be responsible to clean their space, and put away any belongings before they leave the classroom.

As stated previously, my students are required to bring a Bible to class, so perhaps if they bring a regular Bible, I would reward them 5 points, but if they brought the Study Bible that I would prefer, I would reward them 10 points.

If they were on time to class, there would be specific point value.

Helping set up the classroom earns points.

If they return their assignment from the previous week, points would be rewarded.

Some weeks they are required to fulfill a task at home, and a note from a parent is required.  That would have a point value.

Class participation is huge, and is rewarded very generously.  Having out their note book and taking notes is rewarded very generously.

Showing respect, when fellow classmates are speaking, and taking notes is rewarded very generously.

There is no limit to the ideas you can come up with for rewards, and I have sometimes been amazed when the most shy child in my class is willing to share their opinion because they are going to be rewarded accordingly.

We have used this system repeatedly, with every age group, and have never had our students fail to respond, and to participate in our class.

We have taught students when they were in fifth and sixth grade, and received graduation cards with notes in them, reminding us of lessons we had taught, and how they would never forget our class.

We have had former students begin teaching, and teach the very same lessons we taught them, in exactly the same manner.

The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.

The lessons you are teaching your students today, are the lessons they will be applying to their lives for eternity.

What will you do?  Will you just read a lesson, and think you've done your duty, or will you teach Biblical Principles that will last a lifetime?

Join with us in a new direction.  Let's teach the stories of the Bible, and then let's teach the principles of the Bible.

Let's REACH and TEACH the NEXT GENERATION