Should teachers.......

[Cinders]

Wow After reading all those positive comments for junk food I can see why America is one of the most obese countries.

Gee, don't you remember when behaving was expected, not rewarded??

YES!!!!!! Exactly my feeling.

If you do not like the program for your child, tell the school you don't want him to participate.

That I will be doing Monday night.

Has your kid never been to Mcikey D's for a happy meal? is it that bad to let him earn a free one? Kids work hard in school these days, let him have the treat.

So I should feed my child grease bombs for doing what is expected of him? I think not. Teachers have no right to make that decision for me either.

I'm sure if you wanted to donate some other prizes, the teacher would be more than happy to include those too.

Not a chance!!

I believe that an educator should do whatever it takes to be successful.

I have no problems with positive reinforcement, which this is. Whatever works to help the teachers keep the class in order, so those who want to learn can!

I'm not even touching those two.

are you trying to tell me that you wouldnt let your child have junk food at all in 9 weeks? I think its a good idea after all when I was a kid I lived on junk food and so did most of you out there, as for rewarding kids for being good and doing their job in school, I say whatever works, after all in the real world we get rewarded by getting raises and bonuses for doing a great job why shouldnt they.

I'm his parent not his teacher. And no I have never lived on junk food.

I can't believe how many people don't want their child to earn rewards. Many teachers are spending their own money for these items for your child. If you dont want your child to participate then let the school know. Maybe it would be a good idea to visit a classroom for a few days and see why reward systems are in place.

Hey they can earn a book, free time, extra pool time......but not candy and junk food! As far as the teachers spending their own money that is their problem for not learning how to keep control of the children in their classes. The reward system started on the first day of school so there is no way these teachers know what these kids are like yet. As far as visiting the classes I volunteered quite a bit in the elementary school all last year so I know the reward system is not needed.

I even asked DS what he thought of the whole thing and he said its dumb and it wont work anyway.

 

[BrerMom]

As far as the teachers spending their own money that is their problem for not learning how to keep control of the children in their classes.

Ouch.

 

[whirlsy]

Well if you do your job correctly (as a parent) he will make the right choice over the junk food and he will get the school supplies for his reward. Just make sure he knows how you feel about the whole thing, you already said he thought it was dumb so you shouldnt have a problem.

 

[bfeller]

Unfortunately, behavior in schools is not what it used to be and if you feel strongly about this reward system, then you should voice your opinion. However, you may run into the same theories at school as you did here. From my experience as a parent and as a sub, it seems to me that you are not aware of what is going on in the classrooms. From my experience as a vounteer in the school vs subbing it is that it is not the same as working with students every day all day. The system was put in place for some reason and the the students do need to know from day 1 what consequences to expect for certain actions. To be fair, it is a minority of students who abuse the education system but it doesn't take more than 2 to disrupt a whole class and the learning stops. I suggest that before you start to ridicule others opinions that have been expressed here that you spend a few days in your son's school and you may see that not all parents are as involved as you are in their child's education. I do not mean this in a bad way. As was mentioned before, you are a parent who seems to be sincerely concerned and needs to see all sides before reaching an opinion about why a teacher uses this type of positive discipline.

Bottom line, You don't seem to have any alternative solutions to the problem. You didn't want to supply another reward and your comment about teachers who spend their own money to help the education process probably will not be received well. Try to be a part of the solution and give some alternative ideas. You can have your DS decide to take another reward and if the rewards are assigned, I am sure that no one will be forcing the junk food down his throat. That is your DS's choice. Hopefully, you will be able to work with your education team and come up with a plan that will satisfy you. But if you do not like what you see, then there is always home schooling.
.

 

[Saffron]

As far as the teachers spending their own money that is their problem for not learning how to keep control of the children in their classes.

More than ouch. That is down right offensive. Keeping 30 children in one room, for 8 hours a day, and keeping them all on task and learning something at the same time, on the same level, is not an easy task for anybody.

As far as visiting the classes I volunteered quite a bit in the elementary school all last year so I know the reward system is not needed.

Volunteering and actually teaching/having the responsibility of a classroom filled with students, are two entirely different things. You get to see and participate in a small part of the process. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that keeps the classroom running as efficiently as it does.

Like another poster said, as a parent you can decide whether or not your child eats junk food, or is allowed to participate in the program. Just make sure he knows and the school knows about your preferences and you shouldn't have a problem. Good luck to you.

 

[Sharon A.]

Golf claps for bfeller and saffron!

 

[whirlsy]

Originally posted by Sharon A.
Golf claps for bfeller and saffron!

I hope that means a good thing.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I don't have a problem with reward systems in general, but I think the standards need to be set high. The problem I see is when the biggest troublemaker in the class gets a piece of candy for sitting in his or her chair for two minutes, while the brighter students have to jump through hoops and walk a tightrope to get the same reward.

Our boys get a piece of candy for each 100% on math tests. They don't even want it.... they think the whole thing is silly.

My oldest won a giant Hershey bar (he does not like chocolate but it was the principle of the thing)..... he was the first student EVER to do a certain number of multiplication problems in a set amount of time with all answers correct. He was thrilled and shared his prize with all of us.

I have a friend that teaches middle school who always has candy in her desk. When she feels like it, she gives it. Throws it, tosses it, one piece to one child or a handful with enough for everyone. It's a fun thing and the kids never know when to expect it. If they have a good day, they might get candy. If they get it one day, they will not necessarily get it the next. She is the best teacher I have ever met and the kids and staff have the highest respect for her.

I think the trick is that they don't perform well TO GET CANDY, but they all know that if they do behave and stay on task there is always that chance, and by gosh a party might just break out!

 

[Sharon A.]

Golf claps are a regular occurence on the debate board. It means not only do I agree with what they said, but I think they said it well.

So as long as you're okay with me agreeing with you and liking your answer, it's a compliment.

 

[Cinders]

What consequences???? So they are supposed to learn to be good and get candy....be bad no candy? Do homework get a pop.....skip it and no pop? Walk quietly in the hall and get a burger....talk in the hall no burger? Punch SusieQ and get their junkfood taken away? Steal John Doe's pen and loose a piece of pizza?

Kids here are only in school 7 hours which includes lunch and if classes are more than 23 students they add a teacher. Even with 23 they use student teachers and volunteers who are there all day.....not just an hour.

Behind the scenes? LOL Thats a good one.

Ummmm why should I supply another reward? This system is not needed in the first place.....discipline is needed. I have alternatives.......giving incompletes, time outs, extra reports, in school suspensions, restricted lunches. Teachers using money for education is fine.....using it to buy junkfood to bribe kids to be good is insane.

Do you give your child a piece of candy every time they do something good?

I might have to suggest they give away toothebrushes and toothepaste if they insist on this system. Maybe even enrollment into Wieght Watchers or Jenny Craig.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Well, at first, I wasn't for giving rewards at all.

Then, after I mulled it over, I though, why not reward children.

Unfortunately, we parents have to pay the dental bills, so candy's not as cheap as it first appears.

 

[Saffron]

Wow Cinders. It sounds like you have a lot more issues with schools than just a junk food reward system. While reward systems might not be the perfect answer, those you suggest:

giving incompletes, time outs, extra reports, in school suspensions, restricted lunches.

are proven to be non-productive methods of punishment.

Plain and simple, don't participate in the program. Why be so synical about anything and everything else about schools and teachers? I don't get it?

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Cinders


Kids here are only in school 7 hours which includes lunch and if classes are more than 23 students they add a teacher. Even with 23 they use student teachers and volunteers who are there all day.....not just an hour.


I might have to suggest they give away toothebrushes and toothepaste if they insist on this system. Maybe even enrollment into Wieght Watchers or Jenny Craig.

It's nice that you have all of the volunteers and student teachers but that's not an option to a lot of schools.

Most kids can occasionally eat junk and not be overweight. Kids need to learn moderation not live on carrot sticks and Lean Cuisine. I don't know why you assume that the occasional reward automatically equates to obesity. If you don't like it, tell the school your child won't participate.

 

[bfeller]

So what positive rewards do you suggest? Are you just concerned about candy, pop, junk food? Is is a health issue with you or the positive reward system? I am really trying to understand. I also want to point out that elementary school is far different than middle school.




As for your discipline there are some flaws in them.

Incompletes - I agree whole heartedly that if the work is not done then the consequence is incomplete.

time outs - that may work with a preschooler but not a middle school child. Also where do you suggest the time out be. Do you honestly think that a disruptive child will sit quietly in the room for a time out? The same holds true for sitting them in the hall? Who is going to watch them there? A teacher needs to be in the classroom.

extra reports - if they are not doing the required assignment, do you think that they will do the extra?

in school suspensions - they still must be supervised by a paid employee of the school system. Never sure what this exactly proves to the student.

restricted lunches - We only get a 27 minute lunch, who do you think has to watch the student iif lunch is restricted? It is not the tooth fairy.

You would be surprised at how many parents do suggest the lunch restriction over a before/after school detention. You see, then the parent's routine is not interupted by having to get the child to and from the detention. It is then the teacher's problem to eat their lunch and babysit the student. I honestly do not think a teacher has the responsibility to make punishments convenient for parents.

 

[A kid at heart]

Then I suggest you homeschool, since you feel that any kind of a reward for a job well done is not in need of recognition.

How does a reward make America Obese? You can still eat McDonalds and maintain a healthy weight. Lack of exercise can make for an obese population.

Hard to believe that you have never taken your kid to Mickey D's for a happy meal. I must be a horrid mom cause I have taken my kids there. Oh my Gosh I have even eaten it myself!

And since you think they want to make your child obese, and your child feels that this is a dumb program and won't work, don't let him participate. I suggest writing a letter to the teacher explaining your and your childs thoughts and let the other kids get their rewards while your child sits by and continues to think that it won't work. I have to ask why he thinks it's dumb and won't work. Are these his thoughts, or yours?

Did you ever stop to think that encouragement, regardless of what kind, makes for improvment?

 

[disykat]

I can't believe what I'm reading. I already stated my opinions as a very involved parent and substitute teacher, but I'll try again. I think rewards should be used judiciously to get a certain response, not constantly for every little thing. If my kids get candy more than once a week from school - to me that is too much. (Even that is too much for one of my children - who happens to be peanut allergic, but that's another story. I remember the good old days when the only time we had to worry about food in the classroom were lunch, parties, a cooking lesson or planned snacks.) As a parent, I want to be able to give treats to my children - but it seems by the time they get home they've had their quota.

Rewards I have used - extra recess, extra silent reading, a game, time to chat with their neighbor etc. All of these are a LOGICAL reward for the extra time I didn't have to spend disciplining the group. Teachers like candy because it is very visible to their classmates and makes them want one too - but using poker chips, marbles, slips of paper etc. that can be traded for a reward (I love the homework pass idea) are visible too and cost very little money.

I have never been to a class for educators that promoted giving candy to students. I've been regularly taking classes for 20 years now.

As a parent I send extra supplies, spend extra time in the classroom - whatever the teacher asks for. All year this past year I came in at recess time on Monday and did homework supervision for kids who didn't do it at home. I can't believe I'm hearing people say that because I don't send in rewards I'm not a supportive parent.

I have a lot of respect for what teachers do in the classroom - I've been there. I've also fought a weight problem my whole life and that was without a steady diet of candy. Candy to me was (and still is) an occassional treat, not something I munched on regularly. Even 10 years ago when I was in the classroom full time at parties we had parents bring in fruit and healthy choices for kids to eat along with their cupcake. Now the parents all seem to send in bags and bags of candy. My plan when I go back to full time teaching is to not allow that in my classroom.

 

[poohandwendy]

With all of the talk of disciplinarian action, it's interesting to me that noone has mentioned a call home to the parents! Parents should/need to be an integral part of the system. Call my home once and, trust me, you will not be calling again.
That aside, I have no problem with a rewards program. Adult life is full of them. I think it is nice that teachers break the monotony this way and make school more interesting and challenging. I give teachers much credit for being inventive and holding the childrens attention this way....

 

[poohandwendy]

My plan when I go back to full time teaching is to not allow that in my classroom.

Wow, talk about taking out your own issues on others.....

 

[disykat]

Poohandwendy, your reply surprises me. My whole point is that parents can give their kids any food they want. I don't think teachers should have that privilege. I cannot see myself feeding other people's kids candy on a regular basis. I can see it now - parents fighting to keep kids out of my class because I'm the one who doesn't give candy.??

Oh, and this thread was about rewards so not many punishments are mentioned. I agree that good teachers do call home, and good parents respond.

 

[poohandwendy]

I cannot see myself feeding other people's kids candy on a regular basis.

I don't see why a rewards program has to involve ONLY candy. Or that rewards should be handed out on a regular basis...If you think I am saying it should, I didn't make myself clear. I don't think all rewards should be any source of food. But I also don't understand why it is necessary to say NO snacks/treats allowed.

You have to understand, very little snack food is consumed in my home, so I do not have a problem with the kids receiving it outside of the home (sometimes in school, sometimes by Grammy, aunts, B-day parties). I guess my school offers a wide variety of treats ( I consider a pencil a treat, btw) for reward situations.

The rewards programs I have seen here are based on exceptional participation, work or classroom behavior. Not just handed out to everyone, all of the time. There is also a program with a store set up where you earn points towards purchases in the MS. You'd be surprized how many kids get the gel pens and mechanical pencils, fuzzy nnotebooks etc...vs the MnMs and swedish fish, sour patch candy etc... It is pretty well balanced, IMO.