Examples of Effective PBIS Incentives in an Elementary School
This post provides of examples of how to implement PBIS incentives in and elementary school.
11/15/2023
In a previous blog post I gave a brief introduction to Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). One key component of PBIS is the use of incentives to reward and reinforce positive behaviors. In this blog post, we will explore three examples of effective PBIS incentives in an elementary school.
School Wide Incentives
If your school already implements PBIS you most likely have some sort of school wide incentive program. In my school we currently use DOJO points. If you are familiar with DOJO points it is a great way to track students who are following the behavior expectations of being safe, responsible and respectful. If you do use DOJO points you should not be using the "negative" side. That would go against the POSITIVE behavior interventions.
At the beginning of every month classrooms set their own goals for how many DOJO points they will earn. At our school most months we use a 3-tiered goal. For example tier 1 is a treat at lunch, tier 2 is an extra recess and tier 3 was pumpkin bowling. All staff in the building have access to the DOJO points and award students points throughout the month. At the end of the month if classrooms reached their goal they receive their reward. Here are more suggestions on monthly incentives for your school:
Dress Up Day
BINGO
Virtual Field Trip
Visit from a Special Guest (principal, school mascot, specials teacher)
Schoolwide BINGO
Hallway Dance Party
Student of the Month
Recognizing and celebrating students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior is an excellent way to encourage and motivate others. The Student of the Month incentive rewards one student from each class that has exhibited the school's core values, such as respect, responsibility, and safety. The selected student receives a certificate, a small prize, and their picture displayed prominently in the school. The prizes can be different types of rewards like a tactile prize, the prize of time (like eating lunch with a teacher) or a treat. In the older grades (3rd-5th), we have students nominate their peers. Their teacher gets the ultimate say but it allows students to really take ownership for their choices. Students and parents alike really enjoy the student of the month incentive as a great way to acknowledge individual student behavior.
Positive Office Referrals
Positive office referrals are a powerful way to acknowledge and reinforce positive behavior. Instead of being called to the office for disciplinary reasons, students are recognized for going above and beyond in their behavior. Any staff member can submit positive office referrals for students who demonstrate exceptional acts of kindness, responsibility, or respect. These students have their name displayed on a bulletin board and announced to the whole school. They also get to make a special phone call home to parents to tell them their outstanding behavior.