Keeping Key Stage 3 pupils engaged and motivated in school is vitally important, as their approach to studying at this level will have large ramifications for their commitment to further and higher education.
One way to inspire students to take responsibility for their behaviour and level of attainment is by promoting an ethos of praise and positive reinforcement through the use of rewards.
Introducing an extrinsic reward scheme at the beginning of the year will help you as a teacher establish the norms for behaviour amongst your pupils, along with encouraging each individual to build up their own levels of intrinsic motivation that will live on for their rest of their educational career.
Here is a guide to introducing rewards and stickers to your Key Stage 3 students.
General Behaviours Typical of Many Key Stage 3 Pupils
- The majority of pupils have developed behaviours and skills in emotional awareness that enable them to learn without disturbing the education of other students
- Some students may actively 'push the boundaries' of acceptable behaviour in school
- Pupils will need to be prompted regularly on acceptable behaviours
- Pupils may occasionally talk at inappropriate times, leave their seats and fidget, but most will generally adhere to the school rules
- Students can take responsibility for their behaviours and understand the consequences of rule breaking
- At times, pupils may be emotionally volatile as they experience the beginnings of adolescence
- Some pupils may be very quiet, limiting their interactions with both teachers and peers
1. Getting Started
Firstly, you must decide which behaviours and achievements will be worthy of reward and then buy some corresponding stickers/certificates/stampers to reward your students with (view our comprehensive range of rewards for KS3 pupils). Some examples of rewardable behaviours might include:
- Improvement in any aspect of learning
- Extra-curricular involvement in school activities, including sports and music
- Demonstrating politeness and helping other students and members of staff
You may also want to assign classroom chores to your pupils, so they can take it in turns doing things like handing out books at the start of class. These tasks will help pupils take responsibility for their learning environment and KS3 pupils really respond to this level of trust.
Tip: You may wish to involve your class in the discussion and allow them to pick their own rewardable behaviours.
2. Decide How You Will Implement the Scheme
Now you must decide how you will implement your reward scheme. You may want to reward your pupils on an individual basis, or you may want to operate a class reward scheme that will see the whole class earning certain ‘privileges’ when your class collectively earns more than, say, 50 rewards. Privileges might include friendship groups being allowed to sit together or a lesson off to watch a topic-related video that will supplement their learning.
Tip: Key Stage 3 pupils respond well to class reward schemes because the positive peer pressure will see your class co-operating effectively in order to earn a reward that benefits everyone.
3. Introducing Rewards to Your Pupils
Next you need to demonstrate to your pupils how the reward scheme will work. Gather your pupils at the beginning of term and explain the behaviours that will see them earning themselves rewards.
Tip: You may want write these criteria on the board or better yet, make a poster of them so that the pupils are crystal clear on which behaviours are being positively reinforced.
4. Reward Your Pupils
Now continue on with your lesson plans as normal, but be sure to keep a tally of the rewardable behaviours demonstrated by your students as you go. In the first few weeks of term you may wish to be a tad generous with your rewards, in order to crystallise the concept within your students’ minds and get them enthusiastic about behaving and working well.
Tip: By gradually reducing the amount of rewards you give out as the term progresses, you can effectively make the rewards seem more ‘special,’ to your pupils as they continue to work hard to try and earn them.
At the end of the lesson, get the attention of your class and reward the hard-working pupils with a sticker or stamper. Children at this age may not appreciate you attaching a sticker to the front of their uniform, so stick it on the front of their exercise book or homework diary instead. This way, they will be frequently reminded of their achievements.
5. Special Circumstances
If a pupil in your registration group or teaching group does something outstanding and worthy of wider recognition, award them a certificate in your weekly school assembly. Doing this will have a powerful effect on the pupil’s self-esteem, as they will be able to recognise their achievements and have a tangible token to add to their National Record of Achievement and/or application to an institute of further or higher education.
If you're looking for a useful way to manage behaviour, motivate pupils and encourage engagement and would like to see Carrot Rewards in action please email neil@carrotrewards.com or leave your details here.