Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Summer Writing Surprise

Sometimes I find myself in the possession of random classroom sets of coupons for various things, and I'm not always exactly sure how to use them.  Like these...


I'm not an advocate of bribery and try to avoid it as much as possible.  I value intrinsic rewards, but I think the way I want to use these coupons for summer writing admittedly borders on the external.  When it comes to writing, my kids are accustomed to being writers every day during writing workshop and many make the choice to write during Daily 5 too.  Writing is a natural part of their day.  It can be a different story when it comes to writing over the summer.  Each one goes home for summer with a packet like this to motivate them though.  (Go here to see what it's all about.)  


Sometimes I hear from a handful of them and sometimes not so much.  (I realize that can have something to do with parents and stamps.)  Again, I suppose this will resemble bribery, but I told my little ones that if they write to me, I'll send them a little surprise.  That's where the coupons above come in handy.  I guess I mention all this to say, those random coupons that you might find in your possession could be used for the same purpose.   


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10 comments:

  1. Great idea! I always have leftover coupons, and this would be perfect. :-)

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, glad you now have a use for those!

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  2. Here's the thing ... who doesn't like to be rewarded with a surprise? Think of it as a paycheck ... some of us might still work without those coveted funds, but most of us like to be rewarded for our hard work ... so I always think that there's a very blurry line between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards (especially when it comes to incentivizing our littlest learners, from whom it's actually developmentally appropriate).

    I'm gonna say that I love the partnership between you and the pizza place that's willing to say "good job" to your literacy leaders!!

    Just my gut reaction before the coffee is even brewed ... sending smiles!

    Barbara

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    1. Barbara, thank you for sharing your gut reaction. It's an interesting topic to ponder.

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  3. Tammy, I love that you try to instill the intrinsic rewards of real reading and writing in your students. That is a blessing for them. Writing you a letter over the summer is an example of authentic writing, so it is just a bonus that they may get a coupon for pizza too. :)
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, okay you make me feel a little better about this. :)

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  4. I never thought of sending home paper for the kids to write letters - I like that idea! I just went through my stack of things my students had given me this year to put on my closet door to display - all the "I like you" and "you're the best teacher." It makes me smile - I bet the letters make you smile, too!
    Sara

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    1. Sara, their letters are very sweet. I love finding them in my mailbox.

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  5. I just checked out your summer writing and I love it. I'm going to do the same:)

    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Barb, yea! I hope you hear back from lots of little writers this summer.

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