I am a manager of a weekly Destination Imagination team of 6 students -- 4-4th graders and 2-2nd graders. I have started using WBT techniques this year and so far, so good. I'm very new to all of this. I am confused about rewards for the scoreboard, though. When I first read up on it, my understanding was that you should not really allow the team/class to have a greater difference than 3 marks (between smilies and frownies) at any time. But, I don't know how to reward them. My first plan was to give them some sort of reward (pizza party, etc) when they reach some total number of points. But, I also thought you were supposed to subtract the frownies from the smilies. If that's the case, we will never get to 10 or 20 points or whatever.

Can someone please help me figure out how to reward/incentivize my team in a way that makes sense?

Thanks so much!

Hi Gisgirl24,

Welcome to the WBT community! You are on the right track with the scoreboard. It's true, you don't want to difference to be more than +/- 3 points between the and . However, you don't subtract the frownies from the smilies...the 'winner' is the side that has the most.

As far as rewards, you can use each days 'winner' to count towards a bigger prize or you can use small rewards such as more/less homework, more/less recess, etc. I'm not sure what a Destination Imagination team is, so I'm not sure if these will work for you...but hopefully it gives you an idea.

I hope this helps!

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

I also have same problem with scoreboard since I just introduced it for the first time. I thought I had to subtract the frownies. What I was thinking was that I would like them to reach at least 20 smilies within the week then we'll have our awarding (and sort of 2 to 3 min game) for reaching the goal. Do you think this is just fine?

Guro,
You want to have them get 20-30 point every day when you are beginning the scoreboard. The students play for a 1 minute reward, since the scoreboard is level 1. This can be 1 minute of sitting by a friend, drawing on white boards, extra recess, music. or another activity that your students would enjoy. They key is ONE MINUTE. If the frownies win, the students miss one minute of recess, game time, etc. Later on, when you move to Level 2, the students work for a 2 minute reward.
Keep the score close (within 3), so the students stay motivated.
Let us know how it is going!
Deb Weigel

Hi Deb -- I'm new to WBT -- just started this week after 6 very frustrating months with a challenging group of first graders. I introduced class-yes and scoreboard the first day, but (ever dubious that it would actually work) I changed the scoreboard to be minutes earned for afternoon recess. I've been adding and erasing minutes, but hoping in my heart that they would still end up with at least 10 minutes! I want to switch next week to the regular smiley/frownie scoreboard, but does one additional minute of recess really motivate?

I'm trying to lead a gentle revolution at my school -- any help you can give would be great!
thanks
Emily

Hi Emily!

It sounds like you are off to a good start with WBT!! Welcome to the amazing revolution in teaching!!

First off, the Scoreboard is rigged!! You are the one that decides whether or not they have kept you happy that day. In the beginning I will often decide whether or not they will win the Scoreboard for that period of time and I will find ways to give them Smilies and a few more Frownies (unless of course they are as good as gold!) so they get the picture that you mean business. Of course you may want to let them win first so they get a taste of what winning is like.

Second, you have to figure out what motivates your class. For my class, 1 minute of extra recess after the bell has rung and all the other classes have gone in is HUGE motivation (really play it up to make it sound extra amazing and of course any student with Practice Cards sit and practice with you while the rest are enjoying their minute)! Yet, there are many things that might be more motivation - just remember it is a long year so keep it small to start off! Other things I have used - 1 minute of free time, 1 minute listening to music, 1 minute game time (7up, Corners, Mind Soccer, Computer time, sit with a friend, etc.)

Good luck and keep the questions coming!!

Hello there!

The scoreboard is level one of the WBT classroom management system. You will be ping-ponging the smilies and frownies all day. In the beginning expect to be putting 20-30 marks a day or more. At the end of the day see who has the most. If you are wanting your kids to work toward a big weekly reward you can use a "STAR" board where they earn a tally for everytime they win the scoreboard. If they lose the score board then they just don't get the star tally. BUT...you need to have an in the moment immediate reward as well. That can be 1 MINUTE of free time, recess, talk with their friends. Does 1 minute really work? Yes it does. The kids will do pretty much anything to make the teacher stop teaching even for 1 minute! With older students get them involved. Have them come up with things they would like to do for 1 minute as a reward. This makes them even more motivated because it is THEIR REWARD! KISS--keep it simple silly is the motto with the scoreboard! If you only have your students for a short period of time..say 45 min to 2 hours...then you may only be putting up 10-15 marks in the beginning. In kinder, at this point in the year it is still common to have 15-20 marks a day. We usually have 10-15 of those in the morning. By the afternoon they are rocking and rolling and in the groove of things so we might have less...at the
end of the day when the kids get a bit restless we start picking up the pace again on the scoreboard. Hope this helps!

Blessings,