Things can get crazy at the end of the day. For us especially if one math class is let out late. The kids come hurrying into homeroom. Everyone is wanting/trying to hurry to do their last little bit of socializing and gathering their things.
It looks as if a tornado hit your room.
As much as we want students to take pride in how the room looks and feels, sometimes they just need a little extra motivation.
Insert: *Magic Piece of Trash*
I discreetly pick 1 or 2 pieces of trash on the floor. Then I announce that there is a magic piece of trash. *Insert kids diving to the floor*
They hustle around and usually every tiny little piece of anything on the floor is picked up. If it isn't trash, it gets put away. They also come show me what they picked up, just so I can make sure who got the *magic* piece.
I don't say who picked it up until we are in our lines ready to head out the door, that way everything get picked up. The 'winners' usually get a piece of candy…making sure the wrapper goes in the trash as well. However, you could use almost anything as a reward. I've even let a student pick the magic piece of trash before.
Viola! A clean floor in a matter of seconds. :)
Check out other motivations at
Thanks for stopping by!
*Steph*
