Professional Documents
Culture Documents
st
1 Grade
Resident Inquiry
and
Research Project
By Sheri Hanson
I wonder if implementing a positive reward
system, rather than consequences to bad
behavior, would motivate my students to not
only follow the rules and routines given by the
school and teachers, but if it would also improve
classroom management and therefore improve
student learning, and if reminders of the reward
would improve the outcome?
It was the first day of First Grade. I was
excited and scared all at the same time.
The first day was a little crazy. The student’s didn’t
seem to understand what a straight line was, and they
were a little out of control in the classroom. By the
end of the day…………….
I looked like this!!!
So I came up with the “Warm Fuzzy’s”. I explained to the students that every
time they acted appropriately, they would get a Warm Fuzzy. I told them it is
called that, because I get all warm and fuzzy (Happy) when they act
appropriate and follow the class rules and procedures. This means every
time they transition from subjects correctly, every time they listen and not
talk during the lesson, and every time they walk in the hallway correctly,
they get a Warm Fuzzy. They had the opportunity to get many in a day. Once
they filled the jar, they would be able to win a class wish.
I wrote on the board the wishes of every student. Then we voted using tally marks.
- Pajama Day
- Eating lunch with the teacher
- Bring a stuffed animal to school
- Be the teacher for a day
- A party
- Extra recess
- No homework pass
- Show & Tale
Dates of Inquiry
Classroom Behavior During Math Lesson
Student’s were expected to
Dates of Inquiry
Tests and On the morning of 10-2-17, the student’s took a unit
Classwork test over representing word problems involving
addition and subtraction, using models and number
sentences. We had gone over this for several days, but
this was before the Warm Fuzzy’s project. They had
been talking, getting up to go to the bathroom in the
middle of the lesson, and just not paying attention.
Because of this behavior, all but 4 failed. That morning,
we introduced the Warm Fuzzy’s expectations and
what their reward would be when the jar was full.
10/10/2017
10/2/2017
10/4/2017
10/6/2017
10/8/2017
10/12/2017
They would remind each
other about the Warm
Fuzzy’s.
Dates of Inquiry
Hallway Transition Behavior – to Recess, Lunch and Specials
Appropriate behavior
Reflective Thoughts
I not only learned a lot
about my student’s,
I learned a lot about myself,
as well. Seeing first hand
that a positive reward
system does work has
opened my eyes to new
possibilities.
Everyone is happier, has a
goal mindset, and is still
responsible for their
actions.
This is a “Win-Win, which is
one of the Leader In Me
categories, and will no
doubt lead my students, and
me, to a successful year.