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 [...]
Are “sticker plans” compatible?
QUESTION: At our last behavior team meeting, it was decided that a “sticker behavior plan” should be implemented for one of my students who doesn’t accomplish much in class. I’m new to Discipline without Stress and I’m wondering if this kind of individual behavior plan would work in conjunction with this approach? It seems contradictory. [...]
