Module 4- Incentive Program

 This week I was able to talk to a few teachers about incentive programs that they may or may not use in the classroom. Each teacher pointed out their personal experiences with incentive programs. One teacher was surprised to learn the theory of positive reinforcement that is correlated to the incentive program. Personally, after listening to teacher feedback and researching further into the subject, incentives can be a slippery slope and must be done right to work.

Now I have some groundwork on what goes into an incentive plan when I become a teacher. I think, for me, I will be collaborating with other teachers of my grade level just as a way to stay on top of and on task about incentives.

Currently, in the school I work in, there are incentives each quarter. The goal is by the end of the year each student feels recognized. I think this is a good way to boost student moral. If a student sees their friend doing a good job, the student might try harder next quarter.

Module 3- Behavior Plan- Challenging Behaviors

 This week I learned about the Behavior Intervention Plan. This plan helps teachers provide extra assistance to students who have misbehavior in the classroom. For instance, we were given examples of three students, Camille, Jeff, and Jessie. These students had three different misbehaviors in the classroom. Camille would not follow directions, Jeff would not sit properly in his seat and Jessie could not properly socialize in the group setting. These three students required three different strategies to work on getting to their goal of positive behaviors. The three strategies are Skill Instruction, Positive Reinforcement, and Group Contingency. These are three different solutions to a similar problem. These strategies can be helpful tools depending on what the misbehavior is. 

As I have not been a teacher yet, I can say that I may not use these strategies in the library for one student, but for many students. In the library, we use a form of Group Contingency during lunchtime. We let students know that if they behave, during quiet days they do not raise their voices, and every day they clean up their areas and tables so that the students can come in the next day with their lunch. If not, we will take away the privilege of eating lunch in the library. 

My strategy can be considered an interdependent contingency which can "increase individual accountability within a group and whole class behavior because it fosters teamwork and the only way to earn the reward is as a group" (Minnesota, n.d)

Group contingencies tip sheet - minnesota. (n.d.). https://education.mn.gov/mdeprod/groups/educ/documents/hiddencontent/bwrl/mdm0/~edisp/mde034045.pdf