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The Great Banana Split Race |
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(Use landscape mode to print out this article) This is an excerpt from 101 Ways to Make Your Classroom Special by Dr. James Sutton"
Although this idea was initially used to promote good behavior and citizenship, it could also be used to encourage students to complete assignments and turn them in promptly. This idea was shared by Teresa Chambers. She teaches at Sharpe Accelerated Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee. This idea, and 100 others, are featured in Dr. James Sutton's book, 101 Ways To make Your classroom Special.
Here's how The Great Banana Split Race works: Each week of the reporting period provides an opportunity for a youngster to earn a component of a banana split. Then, at the end of the reporting period, youngsters receive the part of the dessert they have earned. The parts accumulate as follows (using an example of a nine-week reporting period):
Week #1: a spoon
A cherry for the top is thrown in as a bonus for a perfect nine weeks. All of this is charted each week so that everyone's progress is easily tracked.
All components of the banana split must be earned in order. This means that a child who does not earn a spoon at the end of the first week must work for the spoon during the second week (while the others are going for the dish). Here is the "adding to" principle working to the max. ("Adding to" is a key guideline for compliance, as discussed in the book.)
The wake-up call for some youngsters comes on banana split day. If they have earned only a spoon, that's all they get, a spoon. Rarely does a child get caught with only a spoon at the end of the next Great Banana Split Race. Four races can be held during the school year (or six, if you have a six-week reporting period).
The Book:
This is just one idea from Dr. Sutton's book , 101 Ways to Make Your Classroom Special; Creating a place where significance, teamwork and spontaneity can sprout and flourish. Loaded with great ideas and lots of illustrations, this book helps educators not only to teach, but to touch the young lives around them. Of especially great benefit is the chapter titled "Accomplishing Classwork with a Flair." This one chapter contains 32 specific ideas and activities for keeping youngsters focused and on-task.
Information about "101 Ways to Make Your Classroom Special"
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