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Tickets Reward System

This motivation system is used to reward individual students. Students earn tickets for targeted behaviors or for completing predetermined tasks. Then, at given intervals, the teacher has a raffle drawing with the collected tickets and students whose names are drawn may choose a reward. Tickets can be purchased or made and printed by the teacher.

How to use

1. Determine and teach logistics

Determine the targeted behaviors that will allow students to earn a ticket. They can be general, but it is also good to have some specific behaviors that will earn tickets. For example, the first three students to clean up their station earn a ticket. Be sure to explain to the students how tickets can be earned. Also, determine the time interval for the drawing, i.e. every Friday, every three weeks, etc.

2. Choose rewards

It is helpful to get student input when determining prizes and rewards. A Prize Box can be created to collect a variety of prizes and rewards (see visual). Prizes can include inexpensive school supplies, such as pens, pencils, and erasers. Target, Walmart, CVS, and Dollar Tree all have inexpensive items to stock up the Prize Box! The teacher can also create coupons as prizes, such as “listen to music during an independent task” or “free homework assignment.”

3. Hand out tickets

When students demonstrate the targeted behaviors, hand out tickets. Use tickets to reinforce targeted behaviors and decrease unwanted behaviors. Tickets can also be used as a prize for winning classroom games. For example, the group who gets the most points during the test review game will earn five tickets for each group member.

4. Collect tickets

When students receive a ticket, they put their name on the back. They can either return it to the teacher or keep it until the classroom raffle is held. If the teacher collects the tickets, they should be stored in a safe, secure place until time for the drawing (see visual). Keep a separate storage container for individual classes.

5. Draw winners

When the predetermined time interval is complete, draw a ticket from the ticket jar (or whatever container was used to hold tickets). The student whose name is on the ticket wins the drawing and may pick a prize from the Prize Box. More than one ticket can be drawn in order to have multiple winners each time. Empty the storage container after the drawing to start over.

When to use

This reward system can be used throughout the entire school year. It should be explained at the beginning of use so that students fully understand how they can earn tickets and what the tickets will be used for. It is important that the teacher keeps up with the system and frequently hands out tickets. If it is not implemented consistently, students will lose interest in the system.

Variations

Ticket Economy

Rather than collecting students’ tickets and then drawing a winner, students can use the tickets to purchase prizes and/or rewards. The teacher must set prize/reward denominations and create a menu or list of choices. Bigger or more exciting prizes/rewards can be worth more tickets. For example, a pencil topper may cost 5 tickets whereas a coupon for “Free Homework Assignment” may cost 15 tickets. Be aware that this system puts more responsibility on students, as they have to collect and keep up with their own tickets, so it is recommended for upper elementary and secondary school.

Class-wide Ticket System

Tickets can be awarded to the entire class, rather than to individual students. The class can then choose to spend their tickets on predetermined prizes/rewards similar to the above mentioned Ticket Economy.

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