Guide to PBIS Student Rewards:
Tips and Tricks for Success

PBIS student rewards that are highly motivational without breaking the bank can be found here!

Are you interested in implementing PBIS student rewards? PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions Systems. Thousands of schools across the United States utilize the teachings of PBIS. If you implement PBIS at your school or classroom, you have got check out these behavior bucks!

The simple teaching of PBIS is to reward students and promote positive behavior choices. Well, most of us teachers do that daily. However, the teaching of PBIS suggests you follow a matrix. Display the matrix in your classroom and throughout your school for students to use as a reference. Often when teachers think of rewarding their students, they consider it a financial burden. However, PBIS student rewards do not have to be costly!

PBIS Student Rewards

Students will work towards PBIS rewards students.

Behavior Bucks are easy to implement and will encourage your students to work toward achievable goals. When you think of rewards, don’t think of spending money. Many PBIS student rewards can be completely FREE! Think outside the box and be creative. If you need help check out my list of FREE Behavior Rewards for students. Again, rewards do not have to cost tons of money. However, if you do want to purchase rewards for your class, purchase in bulk. Be mindful of items your students will put forth effort in working towards. Also, think of “rewarding” students with school supplies. Cool, fun erasers, pencils, pens, and small notebooks are sure to be a treat for your students.

How to implement PBIS Student Rewards

PBIS rewards that are affordable and exciting for kids.

My favorite behavior incentive for students is Behavior Bucks or Classroom Cash! My students work hard to earn Behavior Bucks or Classroom Cash. Behavior Bucks come in the following increments $1, $5, $10. If a student earns more money, just give students more as needed. For example, if a student earns $25 you can give them two $10 and a $5. Work to customize the prize sheet and what students can purchase with their Behavior Bucks or Classroom Cash. You can create a classroom store for your students. Again, these rewards do not have to cost real money; think outside the box. If you do want to purchase reward items for students to cash in, purchase in bulk.

Teacher Tip

Use the Classroom Store, Behavior Bucks, or Classroom Cash as an opportunity to teach economics. Teach how to count money and count change back! Use this opportunity to double dip when teaching students how to deal with money and be responsible.

Keep parents and families informed!

Get your parents and families on board. Make sure they are clearly informed of the goals of Behavior Bucks and the responsibilities of the student. Ask them to encourage their child to earn PBIS student rewards and work hard. I recommend using Remind 101 or ClassTag for parent communication. You can print text messages to keep for documentation purposes.

In my many years of teaching I have always used Remind 101. Recently, I changed over to Class Tag and really enjoy it. ClassTag allows you to type as much as you would like and the best part - it attached the student's name with the parent/guardian contact. This is extremely helpful!

I also like ClassTag because it allows me to schedule post and I can use emojis. This is just a fun feature I personally enjoy.

PBIS Student Rewards and Consequences

Student PBIS rewards are at the top of my list.

Provide consequences for your students. Yes, PBIS student rewards are great and much needed but so are consequences! PBIS encourages students to make a good choice, but what happens when they don’t? Ensure your students have consequences that fit the rules that are being broken. The punishment should fit the crime so to speak. Again, make sure to have clear expectations and students fully understand rules and consequences.

Teacher Tip

When developing rules and consequences make sure they are age-appropriate. Also, consider students who need to have individualized plans or specific behavior goals you are trying to accomplish.

Remember to relax and give grace when implementing rules and consequences. Find out what works and what doesn't. Be graceful to yourself and students during this trial and error process. Consider the goals you want for your students and classroom. Set the tone by leading through example and catch students making good choices. Get down on the student's level (sitting in a chair or bending down) when talking to students after they have made a poor choice.

Student Check-ins

Make sure you take the time to build meaningful relationships with students. The best, more successful avenue I have found to help me build relationships is student check in. I do this by using a Google Form. This is simple way to do a quick check with students.

Trust me - this is GOLDEN! Find a way to make a connections with students using answers from their check in. Check out their favorite foods, colors, sports, etc. Trust me, you will be surprised at how successful students checks in will be for your students!