Recognize and reward elementary students who demonstrate leadership and good character qualities, even when they think no one is looking.

School Type: Elementary school

Activity Goal: Character Recognition & Reward

Prep Time: 10 minutes

People Required: Staffulty members who supervise departure time

Space Required: Departure space (hallways or sidewalks)

Timing: Departure from school

Materials: Slips of paper with a space for a name and a list to track recipients

Submitted by: Simpson Elementary School, KY

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Create and distribute tickets to Staffulty members or volunteers who help with supervising student departures from school, and direct them to hand these slips to students who are demonstrating good behavior, such as sitting quietly, following directions, being patient, or helping others.
2. As soon as a student is spotted exemplifying good behavior, hand them a ticket as a recognition of their positive behavior. Explain briefly why they are receiving it. For example, “Thank you for sitting so patiently, here is a ticket for your excellent behavior.”
3. Have the Staffulty or volunteer also write down the students’ names to track how many are recognized.
4. Turn that list into the front office for a weekly drawing to reward one student with a donated prize.

ADDITIONAL IDEAS AND OPPORTUNITIES:

• Read this article from the Search Institute on the power of recognizing students.
• Check out a related Idea Exchange: Tokens of Appreciation!

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