Digital Rewards for the School Library

Classroom management can be quite an adventure for librarians and other “specials” teachers. We’ve all been there trying to keep things on track when we only see our students once a week for a brief session. Kids often see their specials time as a chance to chat with friends and take a break from the regular school grind. Plus, knowing they won’t get a grade for our activities can make them think they don’t need to put in the effort. With so much to cover in such a short time, it’s easy to miss some of the mischief. That’s why today, I’m excited to share a fantastic system that uses digital rewards to keep students motivated and focused on the task at hand!

How Did the Digital Rewards System Get Its Start?

Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of systems to encourage positive behavior. I’ve done sticker charts, rewarded points, and even given out awards for the class of the month. My most ambitious idea was a marble jar system. Each class had its own jar, and they’d earn marbles (well, beads, actually) for good behavior.

With 30 classes a week, I needed 30 jars, and finding a place to display them was a challenge. I ended up lining them up on top of the bookshelves, which seemed like a good idea at first, but it quickly became overwhelming. My kids were so excited when I first introduced the system. They couldn’t wait to see their jars fill up. As time went on, their interest started to fade. The jars seemed to take forever to fill, and let’s be honest, I wasn’t exactly consistent with adding the beads. Sometimes I’d get so caught up in the lesson that I’d forget to add them altogether. Before long, the jars became more of a hassle than a motivator.

I decided to ditch the system and let my kids use the beads to make necklaces and bracelets. They loved that! It turned into a fun, creative activity, but I knew I needed something more effective and easier to manage for the long haul. That’s when I started thinking about going digital, and I’ve never looked back!

Going digital was the perfect solution. I created a series of Google Slides for digital rewards, which I could easily display on the SmartBoard during class. It was easy to manage, and no paperwork or sticker charts were needed. The students loved seeing their points add up, and I could even set individual goals. This digital system has been a game-changer for keeping my students motivated and engaged!

What’s Inside the Digital Rewards

Let’s explore how to use the 15 Digital Rewards slides and what’s inside! We will discover all the features and tips to make the most of this digital tool for your library. It will transform how you manage and motivate your students.

Digital Rewards for Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

The first five slides are perfect for younger students or individual use. One slide features a bookshelf and books. Each time a point is earned, you move a book onto the shelf. Another slide has a gumball machine where you add a gumball for each point. There’s also an ice cream cone that gets a sprinkle with every point earned, a lemonade jar that fills up with lemon slices, and a fall tree that grows more colorful as leaves are added.

To get started, just pick the slide that best fits your class. Whether it’s the bookshelf, gumball machine, or one of the fun seasonal themes, there’s something for everyone. Once you’ve chosen your slide, it’s super simple to set up. Just type in the class name, set a goal, and decide on a reward that will really get your students excited. As you start earning points, all you have to do is move a picture over.

If your class is on fire and you run out of items to move, no worries! Just copy and paste more, and keep the momentum going. The best part of this system is its flexibility. It’s easy to use, so you can focus on what really matters, which is keeping your students motivated and engaged. You’ll love how smoothly it helps your class stay on track!

Digital Rewards for 3rd – 5th Grade

On slides 6 through 15, I have a chart system designed to keep track of class progress. Since they are older, they know what to expect, and they can work together to meet those expectations! Each slide includes a table with ten columns, and under each column are five boxes. The class can earn up to five points a day. For each point earned, an image is moved into a box. All the text on these slides is customizable, but the only pictures that can be edited or moved are the ones that go in the boxes.

With this, you can easily choose the theme that best suits your class! Whether your students are into school-themed designs or animals or get excited about seasonal and holiday fun, there’s something here for each class. You can change the text to fit your specific needs, making it feel personalized for each class. When your class earns a point, just move the image into a box. This chart system is flexible and keeps your students motivated and excited all year long. It’s a simple yet effective way to add a little extra fun to your classroom management routine!

Sneak Peek of Digital Rewards In Action

In this example of digital rewards for the school library, I decided to use emojis. My kiddos always get a kick out of the different emojis. Every time a point is earned, you simply move an emoji into place. To save space on the slide, I stacked all the emojis on top of each other, with ten in each stack. If you find yourself needing more, no problem because you can just copy and paste them as you go.

This setup makes it super easy to track progress in a way that’s both fun and visually engaging. Students get to see their efforts add up right before their eyes, which really helps keep them motivated to reach their goals. Not only does this system streamline the whole reward process, but it also adds a playful element that your students will absolutely love!

Benefits of Having a Rewards System in Place

Digital rewards are a total game-changer for organization. You can wave goodbye to the days of juggling sticker charts, marbles, or beads! With digital rewards, everything you need is right there on your screen, making it easy to manage and update in real time. No more fussing with physical materials or trying to keep track of who earned what. It’s all streamlined and at your fingertips. This system saves time and keeps everything super efficient.

Another huge plus is just how much it engages our students. Kids today are so tech-savvy. They absolutely love seeing their progress displayed digitally. Whether it’s moving an emoji, adding a book to a virtual shelf, or watching a gumball machine fill up, these visual cues keep them excited and eager to earn more points. It turns the whole process into a fun, interactive experience that really resonates with them. They’re not just earning points. They’re actively participating in their progress, which makes all the difference in keeping them motivated and on track!

Digital rewards are also incredibly flexible. You can customize each slide to fit your class’s needs, set individual goals, or adjust them on the fly. If you need to minimize the screen for a quick lesson, no problem! Just bring it back up, and you’re ready to go. Plus, it saves you so much time and hassle. This frees you up to focus on what really matters: teaching and connecting with your students.

How Do I Manage a Rewards System?

Managing and being consistent with digital rewards might seem daunting at first. With a few tips, it can become second nature. Here’s my advice on how to make it work in your routine!

I always start by setting clear expectations with my students right from the beginning. I make sure they know exactly how they can earn points and what behaviors I’m looking for. This really helps them understand the system and keeps them motivated to do their best.

Then, I weave it into our routine. Whether it’s at the start or the end of each class, I take a quick moment to update the points. It’s a simple step, but it keeps the system fresh in everyone’s minds. Plus, our kiddos absolutely love seeing their progress in real-time. It’s a great way to keep them excited and engaged!

I also use visuals to keep it engaging. Whether it’s a growing bookshelf, a filling gumball machine, or a parade of emojis, these fun elements keep our students interested and invested in earning points. I don’t hesitate to mix it up occasionally to maintain that excitement. Especially in the beginning, I will write reminders for myself on Post-it notes. I write myself a note to look for my expectations being met and then follow through with adding the points!

Finally, I stay consistent but flexible. Consistency is key to making the system work, but it’s also important to be adaptable. If something isn’t working, I’m not afraid to tweak it. The goal is to keep students motivated and engaged, so I find what works best for my class and run with it.

Increase Student Engagement With Digital Rewards

Increasing student engagement with digital rewards has truly transformed my approach in the library. By setting clear expectations, making it part of our routine, and using engaging visuals, I’ve seen firsthand how motivated and excited my students are to earn their points. Staying organized with everything digital keeps things running smoothly. Being flexible ensures that the system remains effective. Digital rewards have made a difference in encouraging positive behavior and keeping my students focused and on track. Give it a try, and watch your students’ engagement soar!

Additional Resources to Explore

Let’s explore some additional resources for boosting student engagement and effective management in your school library. Many tools and strategies are available that can make a huge difference in creating a productive learning environment.

• 20 Library Reward Ideas Students Love
• 10 Tips on Classroom Management for Librarians
• Reading Games Ignite Love for Reading Among Students

Save for Later

Remember to save this post to your favorite school library Pinterest board for quick access to these digital rewards!