Lesson Plan
Behavior Bucks Plan
Students will learn to earn and spend Behavior Bucks by demonstrating positive behaviors and tracking their tokens; they will practice identifying behaviors, recording earnings, and choosing rewards.
This lesson uses a token economy to build self-regulation, social skills, and motivation. It encourages first graders to recognize and repeat positive behaviors, fostering consistent classroom engagement.
Audience
1st Grade Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, role-play, and hands-on token practice.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Print copies of Weekly Token Tracker Worksheet and Earning & Spending Tokens Activity for each student.
- Prepare the Token Economy Overview Slide Deck on the smartboard or projector.
- Review the Reward Tier Guide Answer Key to be familiar with reward levels.
- Gather Behavior Buck tokens (printed tokens or counters).
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain that they can earn Behavior Bucks for positive behaviors.
- Ask: “What good behaviors help our class feel happy and safe?”
- Use the Token Economy Overview Slide Deck to show examples of behaviors that earn bucks.
Step 2
Earning Tokens
8 minutes
- Present behaviors that earn tokens: following instructions, helping others, using kind words.
- Role-play or invite students to act out examples.
- Demonstrate handing out sample Behavior Bucks tokens.
- Have students identify and share one behavior that would earn them a token.
Step 3
Spending Tokens
7 minutes
- Explain how tokens can be spent on rewards using the Reward Tier Guide Answer Key.
- Show small, medium, and large reward tiers.
- In pairs, students decide which reward they’d choose for 3–5 tokens.
Step 4
Tracker Completion
6 minutes
- Distribute the Weekly Token Tracker Worksheet.
- Model filling in the first day’s tokens earned.
- Students record sample data in their own trackers.
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Reflection
4 minutes
- Review key points: how to earn and spend Behavior Bucks and use the tracker.
- Have each student share one behavior they’ll try this week.
- Remind students to track their tokens daily and enjoy earning rewards!
Slide Deck
Behavior Bucks Overview
Welcome! Today we’re learning how our Behavior Bucks system works. You’ll earn tokens for good behaviors and spend them on fun rewards.
Welcome students! Introduce our Behavior Bucks system and get them excited.
Talking Points:
- Explain that today we’ll learn how to earn and spend classroom tokens called Behavior Bucks.
- Emphasize that everyone can earn tokens by showing positive behaviors.
What Is a Token Economy?
A token economy is a system where students earn tokens for positive behaviors. Tokens act like classroom money you can save up and spend on rewards.
Define the token economy. Make connections to things they know like play money or game coins.
Talking Points:
- A token economy is like earning play money for good choices.
- Tokens help us see how often we’re doing great things in class.
Earning Behavior Bucks
You can earn Behavior Bucks for:
• Following directions the first time
• Helping classmates or the teacher
• Using kind words and manners
• Staying on task and working quietly
Highlight specific behaviors that earn tokens. Encourage students to give their own examples.
Talking Points:
- Ask for student ideas: “What else could earn a token?”
- Reinforce that these behaviors help everyone learn and feel safe.
Spending Your Bucks
Save your tokens to choose rewards:
• Small Rewards (1 token): extra sticker, pencil topper
• Medium Rewards (3 tokens): sit by a friend, 5 extra minutes of recess
• Big Rewards (5 tokens): class game time, special badge
Explain the reward tiers clearly. Show real examples of rewards if possible.
Talking Points:
- Describe each tier and let students picture the rewards they want.
- Remind them that saving up is part of the fun!
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s practice earning and spending Behavior Bucks! Next, we’ll do some role-plays and choose rewards with our tokens.
Transition to the next part of the lesson where they’ll practice earning and spending tokens.
Talking Points:
- “Now that you know how it works, let’s practice with some role-plays!”
- Introduce the upcoming activity: Earning & Spending Tokens Activity.
Activity
Earning & Spending Tokens Activity
Overview: In this paired role-play activity, students practice identifying positive behaviors, awarding Behavior Buck tokens, and choosing rewards using the reward tiers.
Materials:
- Role-Play Scenario Cards (3–5 cards per pair)
- 5 Behavior Buck tokens per pair
- Reward Tier Guide Answer Key
Steps:
-
Set Up (2 minutes)
- Students find a partner and sit facing each other.
- Each pair receives a stack of scenario cards and 5 tokens.
-
Role-Play: Earning Tokens (10 minutes)
- One student draws a card and reads the scenario aloud.
- Partners role-play the situation, showing the behavior described.
- The observing partner decides if the behavior earns a token and gives out 1 token if it qualifies.
- Partners switch roles until all cards are used or time is up.
-
Discussion: Token Decisions (5 minutes)
- Questions to guide discussion:
• “Which behaviors earned a token? Why?”
• “Were there any behaviors you weren’t sure about?”
• “Could some behaviors earn more than one token? Explain.”
- Questions to guide discussion:
-
Spending Tokens (8 minutes)
- Using the Reward Tier Guide Answer Key, each pair decides how to spend their 5 tokens.
- They record their choice:
• Small Reward (1 token)
• Medium Reward (3 tokens)
• Big Reward (5 tokens) - Partners share why they picked that reward and how they might earn more tokens next time.
-
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
- Reconvene as a whole group.
- Invite 2–3 pairs to share their role-play favorite and their chosen reward.
- Wrap up by asking: “What’s one behavior you’ll practice this week to earn more Behavior Bucks?”
Scenario Cards (examples):
- A student puts away toys quickly and quietly after cleanup time.
- A classmate offers help when someone drops their books.
- A friend waits patiently for their turn to speak.
- A student uses kind words to cheer up someone who’s sad.
- A classmate follows instructions the first time they’re given.
Feel free to create additional scenario cards with behaviors relevant to your class!
Worksheet
Weekly Token Tracker
Keep track of how many Behavior Bucks you earn each day! At the end of the day, write the number of tokens you earned or draw tally marks in the box.
| Day | Tokens Earned |
|---|---|
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Total |
Reflection
What one positive behavior are you most proud of this week?
What is one goal you have for earning more Behavior Bucks next week?
Answer Key
Reward Tier Guide Answer Key
Use this guide to help students decide how to spend their Behavior Bucks. Verify token counts and encourage students to explain their choices.
Small Rewards (1 Token)
- Extra sticker
- Pencil topper
- 2-minute dance or music break
Medium Rewards (3 Tokens)
- Sit next to a friend for one activity
- 5 extra minutes of recess
- Choose the class read-aloud story
Big Rewards (5 Tokens)
- Class game time (e.g., 5-minute group game)
- Special badge or certificate
- Teacher’s helper for the day
Teacher Notes & Step-by-Step Use
- Check Token Balance
Confirm the student or pair has earned enough Behavior Bucks to cover the chosen reward. - Subtract Tokens
Model subtraction on the tracker: e.g., if a student spends 3 tokens, cross off 3 tally marks or subtract 3 from the total. - Deliver Reward
Provide the reward immediately when possible (stickers, badges) or schedule it (recess time, helper role). - Reflect
Ask students:- “Why did you pick this reward?”
- “How many more tokens would you need for a bigger reward next time?”
- Customize
Feel free to add or swap rewards based on your class’s interests, keeping token costs consistent (1, 3, or 5 tokens).