From Stickers to Success: Implementing a Classroom Token Economy to Enhance Behavior Management

Are you looking for a super easy way to implement a classroom economy? Try stickers!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.

When I first considered introducing a classroom economy, I found many ideas to be overwhelming and time-consuming. Like most teachers, my plate is overflowing already, so I wanted a simple solution. That's when it hit me—stickers!

I remember how much I loved getting stickers as a kid, and my students love them even more because each one is worth $1 in our classroom economy.

What is a Classroom Economy?

A classroom economy is a system that uses rewards and incentives to encourage positive behavior and academic performance. It mimics a real-world economic system where students earn and spend "money" or tokens, which in this case are stickers.

How Do You Organize a Classroom Economy?

In my classroom, each student has a small notebook. Whenever a student turns in an assignment, answers a challenging question, or is "caught being good," they receive a sticker to place in their notebook. This simple token economy behavior reward system helps track their progress and encourages them to stay engaged.

At the end of the month, we host a mini-store where students can "spend" their stickers on various prizes, such as books, pencils, and erasers. To keep track of their spending, I use a Sharpie to cross out the stickers as they redeem them.

I love the way that MsKohlskids keeps her stickers on a binder ring!

Is a Classroom Economy a Good Idea?

Absolutely! Using stickers as part of a classroom economy is an easy-to-implement strategy that effectively boosts student motivation and behavior. It provides a tangible way for students to see their progress and rewards them for their efforts.

By integrating a token economy behavior reward system like this into your classroom, you'll find that managing behavior and encouraging participation becomes more enjoyable and less stressful. So, if you’re seeking a practical and engaging approach to classroom management, give stickers a try—you might just find that it’s the perfect solution!

 I would love to hear from you! ❤️

Have a question? Idea for a resource you might find helpful?

Be so kind and leave a comment below.

Using Mad Libs In The Classroom

Mad Libs provide an entertaining and engaging way to teach kids about nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in a fun way!  They are also a great way to reinforce essential grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary skills.

Throughout the day when I have a few minutes to spare before recess or before dismissal, I pull out a book of Mad Libs. My kiddos love them and it is a great way to practice grammar skills. They BEG to do Mad Libs.

To make it a bit more interactive for all, I ask the category and tell them all to think of an answer, and put their thumb up when they have one.  I then pull a stick or randomly call on them to answer.  They have gotten really good at explaining to each other what verbs, plural nouns, adverbs, adjectives, and nouns are.
Now, they beg to be the Mad Libs readers:

A few of our favorites:

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love. 

 Have you ever tried Mad Libs? What other fun things do you do with those "extra pockets of time"?

More Resources for Teaching Parts of Speech

Thanksgiving Parts of Speech Color by Number

St. Patrick's Day Parts of Speech Color by Number

Win Gift Cards From Wal-Mart

You probably know that Wal-Mart has some great low prices on items that teachers need in their classrooms, but did you know that they also realize just how much teachers pay out of their own pocket for these supplies?  Realizing this, they give out tons of Wal-Mart gift cards to teachers in areas where their stores are located.  Our school was chosen in the area I live in and they gave out 20 $50 gift cards plus extra box top certificates.  I was lucky enough to win one of the gift cards!

Now, they are also having a contest just for teachers! The Classrooms by Walmart Sweepstakes! From now until November 4, if you register for Classrooms by Wal-Mart wish lists, you'll be automatically entered into daily drawings to win a Walmart gift card! Dozens of teachers will win $50 gift cards, and two lucky teachers will win our grand prize - a $500 Walmart gift card!

You can get extra entries by refering your teacher friends!

Enter Here

Hosting a Sale in Honor of Fall

In honor of the first weekend of fall, Second Grade Math Maniac is hosting a blog hop this weekend and I've decided to link up.

Click Here to go to Second Grade Maniac's page!

I have put all of my items on sale this weekend for 20% off!  Click here to visit my store!

Subtraction With Regrouping - An AMAZING teaching moment

We all have those great days in our teaching lives when we think, "THIS is the reason I became a teacher!"  I had one of those days last week when I was working on a subtraction with regrouping lesson.  I had about 6 kiddos who just couldn't get it, so we kept practicing and practicing.  I finally made it down to one little guy who just was struggling.

He was ready to give up, "I can't do this, I am stupid at math!" he told me.

"You are not stupid at math - you are smart.  You just need a little more practice and I will practice with you until we get you over this hurdle." I told him.

Problem after problem we practiced until the spark hit him and he realized he could do it!  Excited with his new ability he asked me to give him a harder problem.  We went from two digits to three, three digits to four until he was subtracting in the millions and billions.  Then we went to problems where he had to regroup more than once.

He BEGGED to take the whiteboard out to recess to practice.  My normally wiggly guy sat completely still during the entire 15 minutes solving problem after problem :)  Then he asked if he could teach the class!
Of course I obliged:

Here is a subtraction with regrouping freebie for you!

What great teaching moments have you had this week?

Daily 5 Is Underway In Our Class

Daily 5 is underway and going well in our classroom.  We usually manage anywhere from four to six rounds each day.  I use the time to individually conference with students in a CAFE style.  I haven't been able to squeeze in many small groups, but I kind of like it that way being able to give the students individualized attention.  I have three kiddos who are reading at a first grade level, so I meet with them daily.  The rest I meet with anywhere between two and three times per week depending on their needs.

I love seeing the kids engrossed in their books!

Word Work is another favorite in our classroom:

So far I have been able to let them make their own choices, but I have a few squirrely ones who may need more teacher direction, or at least a log like this one. This one was made by Susan at Mrs. Gorbe's Kinderlittles.

How has Daily 5 been going in your classroom?

We Had A Little Visitor! (Plus a Freebie!)

Yesterday our class had a special visitor!

Yes - that is a baby snake.  One of the boys in the class next door found this on the playground - then brought it into their pe class and freaked out the sub.  I happened to be in the office when it was confiscated and asked if we could bring it into my classroom to share with my kiddos because they would love it!  They had the best time checking it out and asking questions.

The gentleman in the photo is the husband of our literacy coach who volunteered to find the snake a safer new home.

In honor of our new snake friend, I thought you might like this The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash themed find someone who.

I am linking up with Freebie Friday at the Teaching Blog Addict! Be sure to visit for more freebies!