Build-Your-Own Menu Station

Overview: At this station, each student creates a personalized reinforcement menu by selecting five favorite reinforcers from the Reinforcement Options Gallery. Students arrange and decorate their menus, then prepare to explain and advocate for their choices.

Materials:

• Blank Menu Templates (one per student)
• Markers, colored pencils, crayons
• Sticky notes (for adding details or questions)
• Visual examples of sample menus (teacher-created)
• Access to the Reinforcement Options Gallery

Setup:

1. Place templates, writing tools, and sticky notes at each table.
2. Display a few teacher-modeled sample menus.
3. Ensure slide-deck or printed gallery is easily viewable.

Instructions for Students

1. Choose Your Five Reinforcers
   • Review the six categories from the gallery (Tangible, Activity, Social, Edible, Privilege, Sensory).
   • Circle or list your top five choices on a sticky note.
2. Place and Decorate
   • Transfer each selected reinforcer onto your menu template.
   • Draw or paste simple icons/images next to each choice.
   • Use colors or borders to make the menu inviting.
3. Add Details
   • Under each item, write a short note:
   – When you’d like to use it (e.g., after math work)
   – How long or how much (e.g., 5 minutes extra recess)
4. Self-Advocacy Preparation
   • Practice explaining one selection using these sentence starters:
   – “I chose ___ because it helps me feel ___.”
   – “I will use this when ___ so that ___.”
5. Finalize and Review
   • Check your menu with the Menu Effectiveness Rubric.
   • Make any adjustments for clarity and appeal.

Teacher Supports & Prompts

• Encourage students to think about times they’ve enjoyed a reinforcer in class.
• Ask guiding questions:
  • “What makes this choice motivating for you?”
  • “How will you ask for it when you’ve earned it?”
• Provide sentence strips or word banks for students who need language scaffolds.

Extensions (if time allows)

• Invite students to swap menus with a partner and give feedback.
• Have students brainstorm one new reinforcer idea to add to the class gallery.

Once menus are complete, transition to the Peer Sharing Circle to share and reflect!

Peer Sharing Circle

Time: 5 minutes
Objective: Share menu choices, practice self-advocacy, and give positive feedback.

Circle Guidelines:

• Sit in a circle so everyone can see and hear each other.
• Listen actively and respectfully.
• Use kind, constructive language.

Discussion Prompts

1. Share Your Selection
   • “I chose ___ because ___.”
   • “I will use this when ___ so that ___.”

1. Give Peer Feedback
   • “I like that you chose ___ because ___.”
   • “You might also consider ___.”

1. Group Reflection
   • “Which reinforcers did we hear most often?”
   • “How can we remind each other to use our menus in class?”

Menu Effectiveness Rubric

Use this rubric to evaluate the personalized reinforcement menus. Circle the score for each criterion and total your points at the bottom.