Are all class incentives discouraged?
QUESTION: I’m new to DWS so bear with me. I’m wondering if whole class incentives for staying on Level C or D is appropriate. For instance, if the whole class can stay on Level C or D for a certain amount of time, then could there be some sort of reward like a movie, free time or [...]
I was talking with a friend yesterday who told me the following story. Recently she had been chatting with a man who coaches soccer teams of 8 and 9 year olds. He mentioned that this year he’d had a lot of difficulty in getting his players to work together as a team. My friend, an experienced [...]
I’m confused. How can I incorporate DWS into “Fun Friday?”
QUESTION: I’m going to start using DWS in my classroom this coming year. My grade level uses Fun Friday/Study Hall. I’m confused on how I can incorporate DWS into Fun Friday. Am I just overthinking this issue? RESPONSE: I have no personal experience with Fun Friday/Study Halls but I gather it’s a reward for those [...]
Isn’t an adult paycheck the same thing as a reward?
QUESTION: What is a good response to people who argue that extrinsic rewards are okay for students because they’re just the same as an adult getting a paycheck at the end of the week? When people say this, I cringe. I know it’s not the same, but I don’t know how to argue the point [...]
Is a “Well done!” sticker an “acknowledgment” or a “reward?”
QUESTION: I’ve been really working with my students to take pride in their work and do do their best at things. Many are really messy and sloppy and I know they can do better. Would putting a sticker or stamp that says “Well done,” “Neat work” or “Your best work!” be an acknowledgment as opposed [...]
If I give a treat, is that the same as rewarding?
QUESTION: Once in awhile, I would love to treat my class to a fancy pencil or a snack just because they are a great group of kids. However, now that I am using DISCIPLINE without STRESS, I pull back because it seems like I am rewarding them. Have you any thoughts on this? RESPONSE: You [...]
What can be done so students know that the intrinsic is always most important?
QUESTION: I will start teaching next year and would like to get some ideas on behavior management and the use of rewards. I’m looking at a variety of discipline approaches, including DISCIPLINE without STRESS. I have a question: If a teacher does choose to provide extrinsic rewards, what should he or she do to make [...]
Shared by Robin Tzucker on the DISCIPLINE Without STRESS Mailring: One of the reasons I like this system so much is that it feels much nicer to be in a place where everyone is treated equally. Kids don’t always need the same things, so there will always be plenty of times when we need to [...]
QUESTION: Next year, I’m going to be the first teacher in my school to implement DISCIPLINE without STRESS. My concern is that our school has a store and students can receive “Duck Bucks” for behaving, doing good deeds, etc.–our mascot is a duck. At the end of the quarter, the kids can buy things. I [...]
What if my students are used to being rewarded?
QUESTION: As a Learning Assistance teacher, I work with small groups of students for 30-45 minutes every day. All of the teachers at my school use the “colored card, stickers and treasure chest” method of classroom discipline. I don’t think they’ve ever seen an extrinsic reward they didn’t like! Do you think I could still [...]
