Teacher Script: Tokens for Success!

Introduction: What Are Tokens? (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick things off today, I have a quick question for you all: What motivates you to do your best work? Think about school, sports, hobbies... what makes you want to put in effort and do well?"

(Wait for student responses. Acknowledge a few common motivators like good grades, praise, feeling accomplished, rewards, etc.)

"Those are all great motivators! Today, we're going to talk about something similar that can help us all do our best right here in our classroom. We're going to introduce a token system!"

(Display Tokens for Success Slide Deck Slide 1-2)

"Now, when I say ‘token system,’ what comes to mind? Has anyone heard of this before, or perhaps used something similar?"

(Allow a few brief student responses.)

"Essentially, a token system is a way for us to recognize and reward all the positive actions and behaviors you show in class. Think of them like points you earn in a game, or stars you get for good work. They're a way to give you a visible pat on the back for making great choices!"

How Token Systems Work (10 minutes)

(Display Tokens for Success Slide Deck Slide 3)

"So, how exactly does this work? It's pretty straightforward. There are three main parts:

1. You Earn Tokens: You'll receive tokens for positive behaviors and actions in the classroom. This isn't about not getting in trouble; it's about actively doing things that make our classroom a better place.
2. You Save Tokens: You'll keep track of the tokens you earn. These tokens represent all your hard work and good choices!
3. You Exchange Tokens: Once you've collected enough tokens, you can trade them in for some awesome rewards!"

(Display Tokens for Success Slide Deck Slide 4)

"Let's talk about how you can earn these tokens. I've got some ideas, but I'd love to hear yours too! Some examples include: active participation in discussions, helping a classmate who is stuck, completing your assignments on time, showing respect to everyone, and staying on task during independent work. These are all things that contribute to a fantastic learning environment."

"Can anyone think of other positive behaviors that would deserve a token?"

(Take a few student suggestions, affirm them, and explain how they fit into the system.)

(Display Tokens for Success Slide Deck Slide 5)

"Why are we doing this? Well, tokens help us in a few ways. They let you actually see your positive progress. They're a clear way for me to recognize your good choices. And of course, they allow you to work towards exciting rewards! Ultimately, it's about making our classroom an even more positive and productive place for everyone."

Brainstorming Rewards (5 minutes)

(Display Tokens for Success Slide Deck Slide 6)

"Now for the fun part: the rewards! What kinds of things would you like to be able to earn with your tokens? Think about privileges or small treats that would be motivating for you in our classroom. We'll work together to come up with a list of exciting rewards."

(Allow students to brainstorm. Guide them towards appropriate and feasible classroom rewards. Write down their ideas on the board or chart paper.)

"Excellent ideas! We'll finalize our reward menu so everyone knows what they're working towards."

Worksheet Activity (8 minutes)

"Alright, now that we have a good understanding of the token system, you're going to get a chance to think about it individually. I'm going to hand out a Token System Worksheet. On this worksheet, I want you to reflect on how you specifically can earn tokens, and what rewards you might be aiming for. This will help you personalize the system for yourself."

(Distribute the Token System Worksheet. As students work, circulate around the room, offering help and answering any questions. Remind them to think about specific behaviors and rewards.)

"Please make sure to fill out your worksheet completely. We'll briefly go over some of the answers, or I'll collect them to review how you're thinking about the system."

Wrap-up and Q&A (2 minutes)

(Display Tokens for Success Slide Deck Slide 7)

"To wrap up, remember that this token system is all about helping us create a positive and productive learning environment where everyone feels motivated and recognized for their efforts. It's about building good habits and making great choices every day."

"Does anyone have any final questions about our new token system?"

(Address any remaining questions.)

"Fantastic! I'm really excited to see you all earning those tokens. Let's make some great choices and work together to make our classroom the best it can be!"

Token System Worksheet: Earn Your Success!

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

Welcome to our classroom token system! This system is designed to celebrate your positive contributions and help you earn exciting rewards. Let's think about how you can make the most of it.

Part 1: Earning Tokens

Think about the behaviors that help our classroom be a great place to learn. List three specific actions you can take to earn tokens today and throughout the week.

1. Behavior: ____________________________________________________________________

   • Why this behavior helps our class:
     
     
     
     

2. Behavior: ____________________________________________________________________

   • Why this behavior helps our class:
     
     
     
     

3. Behavior: ____________________________________________________________________

   • Why this behavior helps our class:
     
     
     
     

Part 2: Your Dream Rewards

What kinds of rewards would motivate you to earn tokens? List three rewards you would love to work towards. Remember, these should be things that are possible in a classroom setting!

1. Reward Idea: ____________________________________________________________________

   • Why this reward motivates you:
     
     
     
     

2. Reward Idea: ____________________________________________________________________

   • Why this reward motivates you:
     
     
     
     

3. Reward Idea: ____________________________________________________________________

   • Why this reward motivates you:
     
     
     
     

Part 3: Reflection

How do you think a token system can help you personally succeed and contribute to a positive classroom environment?

Token System Worksheet Answer Key

This answer key provides suggested responses. Student answers will vary but should align with the principles of the token system.

Part 1: Earning Tokens

Thought Process: Students should identify specific, observable positive behaviors that contribute to a productive classroom environment. Their reasoning should connect the behavior to a positive impact on the class or their learning.

1. Behavior: Actively participating in class discussions.

   • Why this behavior helps our class: This shows engagement, encourages others to speak up, and helps everyone learn from different perspectives.
     
     
     
     

2. Behavior: Completing homework assignments on time and to the best of my ability.

   • Why this behavior helps our class: This ensures I am prepared for the next lesson, don't hold up class progress, and show responsibility.
     
     
     
     

3. Behavior: Helping a classmate who is struggling (respectfully and without giving answers).

   • Why this behavior helps our class: This fosters a supportive community, strengthens understanding for both students, and demonstrates empathy.
     
     
     
     

Part 2: Your Dream Rewards

Thought Process: Students should list rewards that are motivating to them, and which are realistic and manageable within a classroom setting. These should be things that can be earned with tokens and do not disrupt the learning environment.

1. Reward Idea: 10 minutes of free reading time at the end of class.

   • Why this reward motivates you: I love to read, and having dedicated time for a book I choose would be a nice break and a quiet reward.
     
     
     
     

2. Reward Idea: Choosing the background music for independent work time for one day.

   • Why this reward motivates you: I enjoy music, and it would be fun to share some of my favorite study tunes with the class.
     
     
     
     

3. Reward Idea: Getting to be the