Lesson Plan
Self-Monitoring Guide
Empower 5th graders to self-monitor target behaviors, use tracking charts, earn tokens with the Token Toss game, and reflect on progress to boost classroom engagement.
Teaching self-awareness and providing positive reinforcement builds students’ autonomy, motivation, and lasting behavior skills, leading to improved focus and participation.
Audience
5th Grade Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive self-monitoring and reinforcement tasks.
Prep
Review and Organize Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Self-Monitoring Guide to familiarize yourself with session flow
- Print enough copies of the Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet for each student
- Load the Track Your Success Slide Deck on your device and test projector
- Gather tokens or counters and set up the Token Toss Game area
- Prepare seating in a circle for the Reflection Circle Cool-Down
Step 1
Introduction & Self-Monitoring Overview
5 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the goal: improving classroom engagement through self-monitoring and rewards
- Briefly explain what self-monitoring is and why it helps them take charge of their behavior
- Show the first slide of the Track Your Success Slide Deck to outline session steps
Step 2
Slide Deck Presentation
8 minutes
- Use the Track Your Success Slide Deck to guide students through identifying target behaviors (e.g., raising hand, staying on task)
- Model how to record occurrences on the Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet
- Ask students to share one behavior they want to track and record it together
Step 3
Practice with Tracking Chart
7 minutes
- Distribute the Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet to each student
- Run a brief 3-minute activity (e.g., silent reading) and have students mark each time they demonstrate their target behavior
- Debrief: ask how many marks they recorded and discuss any challenges
Step 4
Token Toss Game
7 minutes
- Explain the rules of the Token Toss Game: toss a token into a bucket when they reach a behavior milestone (e.g., 3 marks)
- Students take turns tossing tokens; celebrate each successful toss with group cheers
- Track collective class tokens on a visible chart to reinforce team progress
Step 5
Reflection Circle Cool-Down
3 minutes
- Arrange students in a circle for the Reflection Circle Cool-Down
- Prompt each student to share one success from today’s session and one goal for next time
- Encourage positive affirmations and remind them to use their charts daily
Slide Deck
Track Your Success
Self-Monitoring & Positive Reinforcement
30-Minute Behavior Boost Session
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s session: we’ll learn how to track our own behaviors and earn rewards together.
Today’s Steps
• Choose a target behavior
• Learn to use your tracking chart
• Practice and record behaviors
• Play the Token Toss Game
• Reflect in our circle
Review the agenda so students know each step and feel prepared.
What Is Self-Monitoring?
Self-monitoring means paying attention to what you do and keeping track of it. You become your own coach!
Define self-monitoring in kid-friendly terms and connect to taking charge of their actions.
Why Self-Monitor?
• Helps you notice your successes
• Builds your confidence and control
• Leads to better focus and participation
Explain why it helps: independence, motivation, and better focus.
Choose Your Target Behavior
Examples:
• Raising your hand before speaking
• Staying on task during work time
• Following directions quickly
What will you track today?
Ask students to shout out behaviors they’d like to track, write examples on board.
Behavior Tracking Chart
Use the Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet to record each time you show your target behavior.
Show the chart layout. Point out columns for behavior, check marks, and token milestones.
How to Use the Chart
- When you do your target behavior, make a ✓ in the box.
- Every 3 ✓ earn 1 token.
- Keep going until time’s up!
Model marking a behavior during a mock activity and tallying your checks.
Practice Time!
Let’s spend 3 minutes on a quiet reading activity and mark each time you stay on task.
Explain we’ll do a short activity now where they track in real time.
Token Toss Game
Each time you earn 3 checks, get a token and toss it into the bucket. Celebrate every successful toss!
Learn more in the Token Toss Game.
Introduce the game rules and show where tokens go. Encourage cheering for classmates.
Team Goal Chart
Watch our bucket fill with tokens! Every 5 tokens = extra recess reward. Let’s aim high!
Point to a class token chart (on poster or board) and explain team progress.
Reflection Circle
Let’s gather in a circle and each share:
1️⃣ One success from today
2️⃣ One goal for next time
See the Reflection Circle Cool-Down.
Explain how we’ll share successes and set goals in the circle.
Set Your Next Goal
What behavior will you focus on this week? Write it down and keep your chart handy!
Prompt students to write or think about what they’ll track this week.
Keep It Up!
Use your chart every day. Celebrate each check and token—your success adds up!
Reinforce key messages and encourage daily use of charts.
Worksheet
Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet
Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________
Instructions
Choose one target behavior to track today (e.g., raising your hand, staying on task). Each time you show your target behavior, place a ✓ in the next box. Once you have 3 ✓ marks, color in one token circle in the last column. Continue filling out the chart throughout the session.
Tracking Table
| Date | Target Behavior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Token Earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Game
Token Toss Game
Objective: Reinforce positive target behaviors by letting students “toss” earned tokens into a bucket—turning self-monitoring success into a fun, team-building activity.
Materials Needed:
- 20–30 small tokens (counters, poker chips, plastic tokens)
- 1 bucket or container
- Class Team Goal Chart (poster or whiteboard)
- Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet (for reference)
Setup Instructions:
- Place the bucket on a low table or desk at the front of the room.
- Keep all tokens in a small bowl beside the bucket.
- Post the Team Goal Chart where everyone can see how many tokens the class has collected toward a group reward (e.g., extra recess).
- Mark a “toss line” on the floor about 3–5 feet away from the bucket.
Game Rules:
- Students earn a token toss each time they record 3 ✓ marks on their tracking chart.
- When a student earns a toss, they come up to the toss line, pick one token, and try to toss it into the bucket.
- Whether the token lands in the bucket or not, the student returns the token to the bowl (so each successful toss still counts only once toward the Team Goal Chart).
- For each token that lands in the bucket, add 1 collective token to the Team Goal Chart.
- Continue until all students have had a turn or time is up.
Scoring & Celebration:
- Every successful toss (token in the bucket) = 1 point on the Team Goal Chart.
- When the class reaches a milestone (e.g., 5 tokens), celebrate with a group cheer and announce the earned reward (e.g., extra 5 minutes of recess).
Variations & Tips:
- To challenge older or high-achieving students, move the toss line further back.
- Offer bonus toss opportunities for exceptional behaviors (helping peers, quiet focus, etc.).
- Encourage classmates to cheer and celebrate each successful toss to boost group morale.
- Track both individual and team progress: use a small chart at each student’s seat to record personal tokens alongside the big class chart.
Link Back to Lesson:
Use the Token Toss Game right after students practice with their Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet to turn self-monitoring marks into visible, shared successes!
Cool Down
Reflection Circle Cool-Down
Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________
Arrange students in a circle and invite each to share aloud:
-
One success I had today was:
-
One goal I have for next time is:
Encourage positive affirmations after each share. Celebrate everyone’s efforts and remind students to refer back to their Behavior Tracking Chart Worksheet as they work toward their goals.