Bannatyne Reading Program -- MOTIVATION AND REWARDS

Bannatyne Reading, Writing, Spelling and Language Program

Third Edition

MOTIVATION

PRACTICAL REINFORCEMENT REWARDS

The Bannatyne Program awarding of points for practical reinforcement rewards does NOT mean that all the usual stick-on stars, happy-face stamps, "great work" stamps and other little stickers and comments are not given; on the contrary the more ways the teachers and parents show they are happy with, and full of praise for, students' performances the better.

Points are always awarded as an immediate reinforcement, but points in themselves are limited in value unless they are worth something of practical value to the student. In our own jobs as adults we may receive a variety of rewards such as pride, self-satisfaction, respect, praise, helping others, power, friendship, travel, and affection, but if that salary or income was not there we would be far less motivated. Children also need a variety of satisfactions, and not least is the satisfaction associated with learning the work-ethic--if you want material things you have to earn them honestly through enjoyable work. Consequently students can use the points they earn for participating in privileged activities, or to purchase small items. The Teacher should record points earned or awarded, and points spent on items or activities,

The following list is designed to offer the widest variety of reward systems so that you (the teacher or parent-teacher) can choose those best suited to your own situation. The "pricing" of the items or activities in terms of points-value is left to you, but beware of over-pricing or under-pricing, or of inflating your "economy." Roughly speaking a young student should have to work approximately two to three weeks to earn enough points to purchase a tiny speed-wheel racing car. Note that the intrinsic value of the item is not important; rather it is the appeal the item has, that is important. For example, students will work for small racing cars, inexpensive jewelry, foreign coins (if you travel), kites, poster or water-color paints by the tube or pot, molding clay (by the stick), colored chalk (by the stick), colored pencils (each), balloons, sugarless gum (if allowed), or funny pencil erasers.

Always separate into single items any goods that are packaged several to the package, packet or bag (e.g., chalks, pencils, small pots of paint, wrapped candy, etc.)

Most teachers cannot afford to pay for shop-bought reinforcers and therefore if possible, the school should budget for them in its finances. Research tells us that motivation is approximately 70 to 80 percent of the cause of all success in academic school achievement, so it would make sense if at least 50 percent of the school budget was spent on motivational programs. At present most schools spend zero percent on programs and materials for motivating students. Surely even 10 percent would be a very modest beginning and this would enable teachers to purchase a wide variety of inexpensive reinforcers. It is an investment that would soon pay for itself many times over in terms of student progress.

All else failing, impecunious teachers with no funds forthcoming from the school, can resort to asking everyone with whom they come in contact, for all surplus toys, old costume jewelry, bric-a-brac, and unwanted small gifts. The students themselves like to bring small toys they no longer use at home. Older students in the school can contribute toys they have outgrown.

Purchasing "Free" Time with points

Allow students who wish to do so to purchase up to 20 minutes of time in which to pursue any legitimate activity or hobby. The time is bought in blocks of five minutes for a set number of points.

Points Are NOT Bribery

Please do not equate the awarding of points and rewards-for-work with "bribery." Bribery is a criminal activity which only pertains to persuading some official to do something for you which is illegal. Fair rewards for honest work are called "salaries" in the adult world, and when we reward children for honest effort we are teaching them a sound work ethic. I would also point out again that points are NOT an alternative to other motivators such as praise, affection, positive comments, humor and fun--all of which must be included when using the Bannatyne Program.

The Bannatyne Reading Program is a superb, proven reading program. The Bannatyne Reading Program is unlike any other reading programs currently available. This means you will find many features which are only in the Bannatyne Reading Program. Numerous kinds of motivation are seamlessly built into the Bannatyne Reading Program. In some Commonwealth countries the program may be referred to as: Bannatyne Programme, or Bannatyne Reading Programme.