This is my first time linking up for Spark Student Motivation Saturdays with Joanne from Head Over Heels for Teaching. I LOVE this linky! Teachers can always use some extra ideas up their sleeves of how to keep students motivated. Here are a couple of basic things I use in my classroom: 1. Rainbow Behavior Chart I LOVE this behavior system!! If you haven't seen it before, kids have a clothespin with their name on it that starts on green every day. If students misbehave, they move their clip down. Blue is a warning, and purple and pink have worsening consequences. The misbehaving part of this chart is pretty much like any other behavior system. WHAT I LOVE about this chart is that students can move their clip UP too! When students follow directions, walk quietly in the hall, work in/clean up stations correctly, etc. they move up to yellow, then orange, then red (which is OUTSTANDING!). Kids LOVE to move their clip up, and they feel such a sense of pride when they do. It also keeps the positive environment going because I can move clips up and praise students for good things instead of focusing on those who aren't following directions. It's amazing that when I move up one clip, a hush falls over the crowd and everyone starts thinking about what they need to be doing... =) BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! Students' clips move up and down all day. Students who have a rough morning know that they can turn their day back around and move their clip back up. Also, this chart really lacks some cute-cutesiness. If you have ideas of how to pizazz it a little, please let me know! 2. Durski Dollars I just started using these this year. Here's what you need to know: -Yes, that is my face on the dollar (thanks to a co-worker who made it for me) -These dollars encourage RESPONSIBILITY (turning in homework, having school supplies, getting important paperwork filled out, etc). -Friday=Durski Store. Students use $$ to buy candy, little toys (Oriental Trading), or free perks* -Students PAY if they aren't responsible (no pencil, pencil "breaks," no homework, etc.) DISCLAIMER: I was a little worried about embezzlement and fraud, so I handled all money. I put money in their envelopes and I kept the envelopes up high behind my desk. The only times the kids held it was to spend it at the store. This kept the peace very nicely. *I know teachers are on a budget, so here are some ideas I found on pinterest of ways to reward kids that are FREE! http://www.jmeacham.com/images/behavior.community/mp2.png