Reinforcement Talk Track

Slide 1: Why Rewards Work
“Good morning, everyone! Let’s look at our first slide: Why Rewards Work. Today, we’re exploring how rewards help us learn and grow. By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand positive reinforcement—how giving something you like after a good behavior makes you want to do it again. Ready to dive in?”

(Click to Slide 2)

Slide 2: What Is Positive Reinforcement?
“Here’s our definition: Positive reinforcement is when we give a reward after a desired behavior, making it more likely to happen again. Think of it like this: when you get a sticker for a job well done, you feel proud and want to keep up the good work.

Can you think of a time you got a reward and then did something great afterward? Shout out an example!”

Possible follow-ups:

• “That’s a fantastic example—so praise made you feel good and you kept going!”
• “Nice—so once you saw that prize, you practiced even harder.”

(Click to Slide 3)

Slide 3: Why Rewards Matter
“Rewards aren’t just fun—they have three big benefits:
• Boost motivation and engagement
• Shape good habits and behaviors
• Build confidence and a positive classroom culture

Which benefit stands out to you? Why does boosting motivation matter?”

Follow-up prompts:

• “I hear that motivation helps you stay focused—absolutely!”
• “Yes, building confidence makes you more willing to try new things.”

(Click to Slide 4)

Slide 4: Everyday Rewards in Action
“We see rewards outside of school all the time:
• At home: praise for chores
• In sports: trophies for wins
• In games: points for progress
• In class: stickers, extra recess, group rewards

Who can share an example of earning points or trophies in a game or sport? How did it make you feel?”

(Click to Slide 5)

Slide 5: Bringing Rewards to Our Class
“Now it’s your turn! Soon you’ll brainstorm 3–5 classroom rewards you’d love to earn—stickers, extra free time, partner projects, whatever sparks your imagination. Get ready to share your ideas and help shape our classroom culture!”

Quick Wins Poll

Objective: Kick off our lesson by letting students vote on the classroom reward that motivates them most.

Question: Which of these rewards would make you most excited to demonstrate great behavior?

1. Stickers or Badges
2. Extra Recess Time
3. Homework Pass
4. Partner/Group Project Choice

Instructions for Teacher:

• Launch a live poll (in-class, on paper, or via your digital tool) with these four options.
• Give students 30–45 seconds to submit their vote.
• Display the results to the class to spark a brief conversation: “Why do you think that reward stood out to you?”

Classroom Reward Brainstorm

Objective: In pairs, students will generate creative and motivating classroom rewards, then share top ideas with the class.

Materials Needed:

• Paper or sticky notes
• Marker or pen
• Display area (whiteboard or chart paper)

Instructions:

1. Pair Up (1 minute): Find a partner and grab paper or sticky notes.

2. Brainstorm (4 minutes): Together, list 3–5 classroom rewards you’d love to earn for good behavior. Be as creative as you like! Here are some ideas to spark your thinking:

   • Tangible items (stickers, badges, small prizes)
   • Privileges (extra recess, homework pass, tech time)
   • Classroom roles (line leader, helper of the day)
   • Collaborative rewards (group games, partner project choice)

3. Write & Illustrate: On separate sticky notes or lines of your paper, write each reward idea. You may add a small doodle or symbol to represent it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Share & Vote (1 minute): One pair at a time, place your top 2 ideas on the display area. As a class, we’ll do a quick “thumbs up” vote on each idea to see which ones excite us most.

5. Reflect: Teacher will collect all ideas and tally votes. We’ll use the top-voted rewards in our positive reinforcement plan for this week.

Follow-Up Questions:

• Which reward got the most “thumbs up”? Why do you think it’s popular?
• How might earning this reward help you stay focused and motivated?