justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Tickets – what are the value of tickets?

When I started teaching in public schools after a break of 35+ years, I found myself looking for ways to motivate and reward student performance. When I started as a substitute, eventually teaching every grade from pre-K to high school, it was well known that substitutes are usually “tested” by students who often engage in behavior that would not be acceptable if their regular teacher was present.

While I don’t support giving prizes for what should be expected performance or behavior, I kind of stumbled onto a simple and effective system that worked for me – and for my students.

I have collected a wide array of tools and toys in my work as a corporate trainer over the years, enlivening learning opportunities through team building and problem solving. In my stash was a large roll of tickets, the kind you’d see in a raffle or some sort of give-away. Never did I imagine that these tickets would be of immense interest to students of all ages.

I assigned some math games, where everyone had a chance to earn points. The students would earn one ticket for each 100 points. They could then turn in their tickets for some “penny” prizes. What was most surprising was many of the students were satisfied just collecting the tickets – without concern for turning them in for prizes.

Who would have thought so many students would be satisfied with something as simple as tickets? 

I do believe I am catching glimpses of the competitive nature in this next great generation. It just might be the same spirit and drive quite like all the generations that have come before – those who have made our great country the envy of so many others…

It is reassuring.