Why Is This Instructor Sporting a Dinosaur Head?

When Tom Dittl confirmed as much as faculty sporting a full dinosaur head, his college students had been thrilled. The Wisconsin instructor had promised his class a shock reward in the event that they stuffed their “good selections” fuzzy jar, an entire‑group incentive constructed round teamwork and constructive conduct. Once they reached the purpose, he adopted via by instructing in a dinosaur head all day lengthy.

The second shortly turned a spotlight for college students—and a reminder of how highly effective low‑value, inventive incentives will be in constructing classroom tradition. We requested this instructor to speak in regards to the dinosaur‑head day, how he thinks about motivation in his third grade classroom, and why he loves most of these rewards. Right here’s our Q&A with Tom. Plus, you possibly can discover him on Instagram right here.

Q: How did the dinosaur‑head thought come about?

I really discovered the dinosaur mascot head whereas thrifting earlier than the varsity 12 months began. As quickly as I noticed it, I knew it might be a terrific class reward.

I really like enjoyable and foolish surprises within the classroom. Particularly in late fall and winter, pupil engagement can begin to drag. Generally just a little spontaneity is strictly what it’s essential to reset the power and restore that every day sense of surprise. The dinosaur head felt excellent.

Q: What did college students should do to earn that reward?

I take advantage of an entire‑group reward system referred to as a fuzzy jar, which I’ve used for years. The category earns a fuzzy pom after they work collectively and make good selections that replicate our college values.

When different academics praise the category as we transfer all through the constructing, we add a fuzzy. The concept is that success is collective. We earn rewards collectively by displaying up as a neighborhood.

Q: Why do free rewards like this work?

I believe it’s the shared expertise. The novelty and humor seize their consideration, however what actually sticks is that everybody earned it collectively. It’s not in regards to the object or the price. It’s about making a second all of us get to get pleasure from and keep in mind as a bunch.

Q: Moreover the dinosaur head, what different cheap incentives have you ever used?

Some favorites have been Artwork Day, Fort or Learn‑In Day, and the Wheel of Shock.

Artwork Day works as a result of I really like artwork, and my college students know that—it’s enjoyable to have interaction round a ardour. Fort Day includes bringing in bedsheets and transferring desks, tables, and chairs to construct forts and skim.

The Wheel of Shock is a spinning dry‑erase board with easy prizes like a GoNoodle of the category’s alternative, a Rock‑Paper‑Scissors problem with me, or the fan favourite: “Thriller Shock,” which typically means successful my comfortable instructor chair for a lesson.

Q: Do you employ completely different rewards for complete‑class incentives versus particular person college students?

Sure. Entire‑class rewards are sometimes issues like a GoNoodle motion break, a music‑and‑dance work session, or additional recess.

For particular person college students, I tailor rewards to what they get pleasure from—like lunch with a small group of mates and the instructor, serving to enhance the wall behind my desk with artwork, or delivering one thing to the workplace or one other instructor.

Q: How do you determine what is going to inspire this specific group of scholars?

Listening is big. Throughout crew or class circle time, I take note of what college students speak about—films, songs, video video games, books, sports activities, toys. I take advantage of these pursuits to search out footage to print and coloration, music to play, and even matters for “Would You Reasonably?” questions. What’s motivating is continually altering, so I’ve to essentially hearken to what’s “fireplace,” as they are saying.

Q: What impression have these inventive incentives had in your classroom tradition?

When college students notice they’ve actual energy as a bunch, they’re extra more likely to internalize expectations, rise to challenges, and redirect themselves when issues go sideways.

And when particular person college students want one‑on‑one assist for conduct, it helps to level again to neighborhood incentives they wish to be a part of. It reinforces that their actions ripple outward.

Q: Have any rewards shocked you by being more practical than you anticipated?

Scratch‑and‑sniff stickers. I beloved them as a child, and I by accident created a complete sticker economic system in my classroom. College students began monitoring which “fruit smells” had been out, buying and selling them, and attempting to gather all of them. After I realized what was taking place, I leaned into it and added particular “as soon as‑in‑a‑blue‑moon” stickers for uncommon days. It makes me smile.

Q: Are there any reward concepts you haven’t tried but however actually wish to?

All the time. I’m fairly adventurous. If I see an thought—like shaving cream on desks—I often attempt it. One factor I haven’t finished but is a pupil‑chosen instructor problem. I do know that may be memorable.

Q: For academics who really feel stress to spend cash on incentives, what would you inform them?

Among the greatest incentives are time and connection. Shared actions, lunches within the classroom, one‑on‑one time studying a few pupil’s pursuits, or profiting from the climate for experiments with snow or freezing issues outdoors—these moments create pleasure and belonging with out costing a lot in any respect.

Q: The rest academics ought to find out about motivating college students in inventive, value‑efficient methods?

If a reward takes too lengthy to earn, motivation disappears. That units college students up for frustration as an alternative of success. Assist your college students expertise success usually, they usually’ll wish to earn and rejoice extra usually. The true payoff of classroom pleasure is robust relationships—and people relationships are what assist you to sort out the exhausting tutorial work later.

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