Lesson Plan
Tokens to Triumph!
Students will understand the principles of a token economy system, identify behaviors that earn tokens, and explore various rewards, including short-term incentives and long-term goals.
Understanding and participating in a token economy empowers students to take ownership of their behavior and academic performance, fostering a positive and productive learning environment. It teaches valuable skills in goal setting, delayed gratification, and self-management.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, discussion, and interactive examples.
Materials
Token Economy Slide Deck, Token Tracking Sheet, Tokens (physical or digital), and Reward Menu (printed)
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Token Economy Slide Deck and customize as needed.
- Print or prepare digital tokens for distribution.
- Create and print a classroom 'Reward Menu' outlining various token values for different rewards (both immediate and long-term).
- Prepare individual Token Tracking Sheet for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with the Teacher's Token Talk Script.
Step 1
Introduction: What's a Token Economy?
5 minutes
- Begin with a hook: "Imagine a game where every time you do something awesome, you earn points! Today, we're setting up our own classroom game called 'Tokens to Triumph!'"
- Use Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 1-2.
- Explain the basic concept of a token economy: earning tokens for positive actions and exchanging them for rewards.
- Introduce the idea of 'Tokens' as our classroom currency.
Step 2
Earning Your Tokens: Behavior Power-Ups!
10 minutes
- Use Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 3-4.
- Discuss specific classroom behaviors that will earn tokens. (e.g., active participation, completing assignments, helping a peer, showing respect, on-task behavior).
- Emphasize clarity and consistency in earning criteria.
- Distribute the Token Tracking Sheet and explain how students will track their earned tokens.
Step 3
Cashing In: Your Reward Menu!
10 minutes
- Use Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 5-6.
- Introduce the 'Reward Menu'. Display examples of immediate, smaller rewards (e.g., extra computer time, choosing a brain break, specific classroom privileges).
- Explain how token values will be assigned to different rewards.
- Discuss the concept of saving tokens for larger, long-term rewards (e.g., a special classroom activity, a desired item, leadership roles).
Step 4
Goal Getters: Working Towards Big Wins!
3 minutes
- Use Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 7.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on how students can set personal goals within the token economy to achieve larger rewards.
- Encourage students to think about what motivates them.
Step 5
Q&A and Launch
2 minutes
- Address any student questions about the token economy.
- Reiterate the excitement for this new system and its benefits for the classroom community.
- Explain when the token economy will officially begin.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Welcome to Tokens to Triumph!
Our Classroom Reward System
Ready to earn some awesome rewards while making our classroom the best it can be?
Welcome students and introduce the exciting concept of a token economy. Ask them if they've ever earned points or rewards for good behavior before.
What's a Token Economy?
It's a system where you:
- Earn Tokens for positive actions and behaviors.
- Trade Tokens for exciting rewards!
Think of tokens as our classroom currency for awesome choices!
Explain what a token economy is in simple terms: a system where good choices earn you 'tokens' (like points or money) that you can trade for things you want.
How to Earn Your Tokens!
You can earn tokens for actions like:
- Active Participation: Sharing ideas, asking questions.
- Completing Assignments: Turning in quality work on time.
- Helping Others: Being a good classmate.
- Respectful Behavior: Listening, following directions.
- On-Task Focus: Staying focused during lessons and activities.
We'll discuss more specific ways together!
Go over specific examples of how students can earn tokens. Encourage student input if appropriate for your classroom culture.
Your Token Tracking Sheet
Each of you will get a Token Tracking Sheet to:
- Record the tokens you earn.
- Keep an eye on your progress.
- Plan for your rewards!
It's your personal bank account for good deeds!
Explain the Token Tracking Sheet and how students will keep track of their tokens. Emphasize honesty and responsibility.
The Reward Menu: Immediate Wins!
Your tokens can buy you awesome rewards!
Small Rewards (Easy to Earn!):
- 5 Tokens: Choose a brain break song.
- 10 Tokens: 5 extra minutes of computer time.
- 15 Tokens: Sit at the teacher's desk for one class period.
Introduce the Reward Menu. Give examples of immediate, smaller rewards. Explain how tokens have different values.
The Reward Menu: Big Goals!
Big Rewards (Save Your Tokens!):
- 50 Tokens: Homework Pass.
- 75 Tokens: Choose a class game for Friday.
- 100 Tokens: Lead a morning meeting activity.
These are just a few ideas – we'll build our full menu together!
Now, introduce the concept of saving for larger rewards. This is key to the 'tiered' aspect.
Your Journey to Triumph!
Think about:
- What rewards motivate you the most?
- What behaviors will you focus on to earn tokens?
- How will you track your progress?
Let's make our classroom a place where everyone thrives!
Encourage students to think about their own reward goals and how they will work to achieve them. Reinforce the positive impact of their efforts.
Worksheet
My Tokens to Triumph! Tracking Sheet
Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________
Welcome to your personal token bank! Use this sheet to track the amazing things you do and the tokens you earn. Remember, every token gets you closer to awesome rewards!
My Token Log
| Date | What I Did (Positive Behavior) | Tokens Earned | Total Tokens |
|---|---|---|---|
My Reward Goals
What rewards are you working towards? Write them down here!
Short-Term Goal (e.g., choose a brain break):
Long-Term Goal (e.g., homework pass):
Total Tokens to Date: ____________________________
Script
Teacher's Token Talk Script
Introduction: What's a Token Economy? (5 minutes)
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 1)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really exciting that will make our classroom even better and more rewarding for all of us."
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 2)
"Has anyone ever played a game where you earn points or rewards for doing certain things? Think about video games, or even chores at home. Today, we're going to introduce a similar system right here in our classroom! We're calling it 'Tokens to Triumph!'"
"Essentially, a token economy is a fun and fair system where you can earn 'tokens' – think of them like special classroom currency – for making positive choices and demonstrating awesome behavior. And the best part? You can trade those tokens in for cool rewards! It's all about recognizing and celebrating the great things you do every day."
Earning Your Tokens: Behavior Power-Ups! (10 minutes)
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 3)
"So, how do you earn these tokens? It's pretty straightforward. We've identified some key behaviors that help our classroom run smoothly and make it a great place to learn. For example, you can earn tokens for:"
- "Active Participation: This means sharing your ideas in discussions, asking thoughtful questions, and really engaging with our lessons."
- "Completing Assignments: Turning in your homework and classwork on time, and putting effort into your work."
- "Helping Others: Being a good friend and classmate, offering support when someone needs it."
- "Respectful Behavior: This is super important – listening when others are speaking, following directions, and being kind."
- "On-Task Focus: Staying focused on your work during independent study or group activities."
"We want to reward you for making these great choices! The more consistently you demonstrate these behaviors, the more tokens you'll earn."
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 4)
"To help you keep track of your progress, each of you will receive a Token Tracking Sheet. This sheet is like your personal token bank. You'll record the tokens you earn, for what behavior, and keep a running total. It's important to be honest and responsible when tracking your tokens. I'll be checking in regularly to help you manage your tokens and celebrate your successes."
(Distribute Token Tracking Sheet now, or explain that they will receive it shortly)
Cashing In: Your Reward Menu! (10 minutes)
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 5)
"Now for the really fun part – what can you do with your tokens? We have a 'Reward Menu' with all sorts of exciting things you can 'buy' with your tokens! We have both small, immediate rewards and larger, long-term goals you can work towards."
"Let's look at some examples of smaller rewards that are easy to earn quickly:"
- "For just 5 tokens, you could choose a brain break song for the class!"
- "10 tokens might get you 5 extra minutes of computer time."
- "And for 15 tokens, you could even sit at the teacher's desk for one class period!"
"These are just a few ideas. The key is that you have choices, and you can get rewarded frequently for your efforts."
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 6)
"But it gets even better! You can also save your tokens for bigger, more significant rewards. These are our 'Big Goals'. Think about things like:"
- "A homework pass for 50 tokens."
- "Choosing a class game for Friday for 75 tokens."
- "Or even leading a morning meeting activity for 100 tokens!"
"These larger rewards might take a bit more saving, but they offer bigger benefits. This is where you get to set some exciting goals for yourself!"
Goal Getters: Working Towards Big Wins! (3 minutes)
(Display Token Economy Slide Deck Slide 7)
"This token economy is all about empowering you. It helps you see the direct connection between your positive choices and the rewards you can earn. So, as we get started, I want you to think about:"
- "What rewards on our menu motivate you the most?"
- "What specific behaviors will you focus on to earn those tokens?"
- "How will you use your Token Tracking Sheet to stay on track?"
"This isn't just about earning rewards; it's about building a positive, respectful, and productive learning community where everyone can succeed."
Q&A and Launch (2 minutes)
"Does anyone have any questions about how our 'Tokens to Triumph!' system will work?"
(Address student questions)
"I'm really excited about this new system and seeing all of you make incredible progress. We'll start earning tokens officially on [mention start date/time]. Let's make this a fantastic and rewarding year!"