Free PBIS Incentive Ideas for Back-to-School

Over the weekend, a student gets to borrow the “Family Night Bag,” which includes games, movies, popcorn, etc.

Student assists a specials teacher (gym, art, music, etc.) for a period.

Student gets another chance to redo an assignment.

Jr. Comedian gets five minutes to get the class laughing. Hand them a microphone and throw up a red velvet curtain backdrop on the Proboard.

Students go up against teachers in this battle to win! Games might include dodge ball, tug-o-war, etc.

Quarterly or every semester, students receives free admission to a dodge ball tournament.

Student may attend Family Night, where families come to play games and have fun with their children at the school.

Quarterly or every semester, students receives free admission to a ping pong tournament.

Student gets a heads up on an upcoming assignment.

Student brings in a G/PG-rated movie for the class to watch.

Student can opt to only complete the even or odd problems on an assignment.

Student’s artwork is displayed in a designated, high traffic area for a selected period of time.

Student reviews assignments (homework, DMR, morning work, etc.) with the class.

Student assists a coach at a sport’s game (getting water, towels, keeping score, etc.).

One Friday a month, students to purchase a basketball game with a teacher and two friends. The takes place during an entire class period.

The student can provide mentor/tutor for another class/grade level. Like reading to younger children.

Have your student(s) select the song(s) for your digital dance party!

The student gets to be the messenger for the teacher for the day/period.

Student selects what brain break activity the class will do.

Student gets a page full of fun brainteasers.

Student may bring a drink to school.

Student may bring a stuffed animal/toy as long as it doesn’t prove to be a distraction. Set size limits!

The recognized student can choose a willing Admin or Teacher to clean snow off their car. (Or, wash bugs off the windshield for those in warmer climates!)

Student gets to be treated like it’s their birthday on a day of their choosing.

Student is able to change the format of one question from short answer to multiple choice (assignment, quiz or test).

Students get to change their virtual backgrounds on Zoom.

Simply click on the arrow next to Start Video and change your virtual background or add your own image. Students will be motivated to log in to see their classmates’ new backgrounds (Minecraft, lollipops, etc!)

Student picks a couple of friends and they play charades.

The student may charge their cellphone/tablet/computer in class.

School choir serenades a class.

Student chooses what story will be read to the class.

Choose a virtual field trip for the class to take.

Student chooses the virtual background the teacher will use during video conferencing with the class

Student gets to choose what dance the teacher has to do in a post.

Student may choose their seat in the classroom. Short or long term change.

Let the students choose from a few songs deemed appropriate and have a virtual class dance party.

Student chooses what school-appropriate music the class will listen to throughout the day. Kidz Bop is a safe bet.

Student gets to switch around the class jobs and choose the job they want most.

Student gets to have the class mascot for the day.

Student assists with smaller tasks (errand to the office, make copies, pass out papers, papers in mail boxes, etc.).

The whole class can participate in a karaoke party. Great for in-session, hybrid, and virtual learning environments.

Student’s picture is posted for a week in the classroom. When virtual, this can be displayed on the Google Classroom header (or other LMS platform).

Teacher cleans student’s desk.

Student introduces lessons, awards points, passes out papers, etc. all day long. Referred to as Mr./Ms. Lastname.

Student gets to color a printed coloring page.

Enjoying the beautiful weather? Allow the student to work on an assignment outside.

Student receives a designated amount of time to play on the computer/iPad.

Student gets to wear cool shades/sunglasses of their choice during class. They could even invite the entire class and teacher to join.

A student can create the new class handshake for the month.

The teacher can create a gif with the student who is being rewarded. There are a ton of sites to make GIFs like gify.com.

The teacher can create a meme with the student who is being rewarded. You can create a meme in Google Draw.

An end of year or grading period celebration. Students can celebrate by attending the DJ Dance Party. DJ could be an auctioned item, selected attendees, or staff. There are lots of ways to make the DJ a fun element of this celebration.

Student and teacher (or friend) work together to make a ridiculous domino arrangement. When finished, topple it for class to see.

Students can dress as their favorite book or movie character for the day.

The student picks the dress theme for the day (sports, pajamas, backward, crazy hair). The teacher uses the theme throughout the day as possible.

Allow the student to remove their lowest grade for a grading period, semester, or year.

The student is released 5 minutes early to lunch and allowed to get lunch before the rest of the student body.

Student can remove a tardy from their attendance.

Student has 20% taken off of the essay length.

Instead of the designated amount of time in the hall between classes, student gets a few minutes extra.

Student gets the opportunity to do an extra credit assignment in a specific subject.

Student gets an extended library visit.

Student receives more time at recess.

Student receives extra time to complete a selected assignment.

Student gets featured on the school’s Facebook/social media website.

The student will be allowed to come to school dressed in their fancy clothes (dresses, ties, best attire) and may have a “fancy” lunch in the classroom. May even include dinner music as they eat.

Student receives a designated amount of time to play with the fidget spinner

Student gets to jump to the front of the lunch line.

Have a special table in the cafeteria where students can be waited upon as if they’re in a restaurant. One or two staff members take orders and serve them the meal.

Students may bring in a flashlight from home or borrow from school. Lights are off in the classroom. Students use the flashlight for a period or throughout the day. We used them during reading, writing, math, and science. The teacher may also use a flashlight for lessons too!

Students can introduce their pets, sing, dance, etc as a reward. Flipgrid requires a subscription but it is free. Students can comment using video responses.

Student receives a designated amount of time to free draw.

For uniform schools, student may dress down for the day.

Student may be excused from running the mile in their physical education class.

Student gets a select period of time to do what they choose.

Student gets one-on-one tutoring in a subject they struggle with.

Student picks a friend and play a game together

Student plays a game with the school’s counselor/admin.

Student can earn the privilege to care for (water) the classroom plant(s).

If the principal has a golf cart, the principal gives the student a ride from class to class for a day.

Hold a fun GoNoodle exercise class online to keep students moving.

Student gets to chew gum in class.

Each Friday any student that has purchased 15 minutes of gym time can go to the gym with the PE teacher and have free activities for 15 minutes.

Student may wear a hat.

Schedule a snack break with your teacher online!

Student gets to help out in another classroom for a period.

Student only gets half the amount of homework, and may cash it in when they choose.

Student and teacher work together to make an incredible house of cards. For younger grades, use sticky tack or tape to help cards stand.

Student gets a select period of time to work on their homework.

Student gets to introduce family pet to the class virtually (recorded or live video).

For uniform schools, student may wear school-appropriate jeans.

Three selected students can jump rope with the counselor during lunch or PE.

Student gets to refer to the teacher by her first name. Hey Sally, what’s for lunch?

Student and friends get to play “Just Dance.” Youtube appropriate “Just Dance” songs to get the party started.

Local Law enforcement will come to your school and do a demonstration with their K-9 partners. This is more for a monthly reward or a singular event, not necessarily a repeated event.

Student picks a couple of friends and have a karaoke contest.

PBIS inventive points are pulled to have a students vs. students OR students vs. staff kickball game.

Student gets an extra day to turn in an assignment.

Student gets whatever late-grade penalty taken off an assignment.

Student has time to build with Legos.

Assist the librarian for a selected period of time.

Student becomes line leader for the day/week.

Teacher spends lunch and recess hanging out with the student.

Students can enjoy lunch together with their group of friends. If virtual, the teacher can create the meeting space and share it with the group (i.e. Google Meet code).

Student get to eat their lunch with a teacher of their choice in their classroom.

Student can choose any adult in the school to eat lunch with.

Student(s) get to enjoy a lunch with the Principal.

Student(s) get to enjoy a lunch with the Principal.

Students can sit at the luxury lunch table during their lunch period.

Teacher shows student how to do a magic trick. If your rabbit pulling skills are rusty, Youtube some tricks!

Whole school participation event to hold a mannequin challenge. This is a great opportunity for video / social media content for a school.

Students can purchase passes to view the opening round games of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Teachers and Staff dress up with the most mismatched, oddly paired clothes that they can find.

Student gives morning or afternoon announcements.

Student can move seats anywhere in the classroom.

Student purchases nap time for the whole class! Turn the lights off, put on some ocean sounds, and reminisce of Kindergarten days…

Student learns a new skill on the computer (website, e-mail account, Activinspire flipchart, etc.).

Student may use their No Homework Pass when they choose.

Student doesn’t have to wear shoes for the day. Award cautiously.

Highlight the objectives on your lesson plans and hand them to the student as they enter class. They copy them on the board.

The student will be an office assistant, helping with tasks like taking messages to and from classrooms.

Have a quick chat one-on-one!

Read a book online to your students. Have them choose from an approved selection.

Read, Wonder, and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere – Spring 2020

Host an online drawing class for your students!

Student gets to participate in Opposite Day by wearing everything backwards. If possible, change the schedule to start with the last class and end with the first!

Teacher shows student how to do oragami.

Padlet is an online platform that offers 3 free walls to subscribers. The Padlet Wall can be used to display artwork, show & tell, photos etc. Students can comment & view posts without creating accounts. www.padlet.com

Student may wear school-appropriate pajamas to school.

Student can use a pen or marker to write with all day.

Student may listen to their personal music on their cellphone, tablet, etc.

Teachers can create personalized backgrounds for students based on the qualities they wish to recognize.

This is easy to do using Canva, a digital product/print creating platform that has a free upgrade for educators. Educators can use already created Zoom templates and individualize them to match the student.

Principal to make a positive call home to recognize a student’s success in PBIS.

Student’s photo is displayed in a designated, high traffic area for a selected period of time.

Student(s) can redeem this rewards and get a fun, silly, or energetic photo (or video) with their friends that is shared by the teacher or school. This could even be shared via social media by the school, PBIS team, or teachers.

See example on Instagram

Students may enjoy their lunch on the patio outside (or when raining, in the halls near a friend).

The students have the option to have a picnic (blanket and all) in the office or our on the front lawn of the school. Students who earn the reward get to invite one friend to join them. Students and the principal have a great time eating, visiting and rolling the conversation dice!

Find a few games to play online and let your student(s) choose which one to play!

Student says the Pledge of Allegiance on the intercom.

Student and teacher make a positive phone call home, positive note if adult couldn’t be reached.

Student(s) can share a positive quote of the day. Either upload a video of the student sharing the quote or the student can provide the quote as a graphic to be shared.

Student gets to use a locker in the most desirable location of the school for a week. Cover the lockers in fun contact paper to make them look extra special!

A play on the traditonal game Simon Says, except with the Princaipal leading the game as “Simon.” Can be a class or grade level incentive.

The student will get to sit in the principal’s chair the entire day. Optional: the principal will have to sit in a student chair for the day.

Student (and friends, if they choose) create a mural on the board. Teacher keeps it displayed all day when the board isn’t in use.

Assist / participate in raising the flag up the flag pole in the morning.

All the student to retake a test or quiz in the grading period, semester, or year.

Have your student choose which book to read and then share it with the class.

Student spends their independent reading time in another classroom, reading to younger students.

Student chooses a friend to spend recess with, in the classroom.

Student gets referred to as King/Queen (first name) for the day. Good morning, King Andrew!

Student gets to ride with the school officer in his/her patrol car!

Once a bus goes 15 days without a behavior referral the whole bus gets a Dine in Movie Lunch. We run it during all lunches. Kids come and go during their lunch. They love it!

Student assists custodian with yard work (planting flowers, picking up sticks, picking up trash, etc.).

Student gets to work at the school store.

Student may show the class a pre-viewed Youtube video.

Student helps lunch workers serve lunch to his/her fellow students.

The student is allowed to shadow the principal during an event like an assembly or awards presenation.

Students get their picture and a short positive message about them shared on the video morning announcement by the principal/admin.

Student receives a shout out on the public address system.

Student can give a shout out to a family member that has played a significant part in remote learning. Highlight them by sharing something special that they do to support them.

Student brings in an item to show and tell the class about. Set size limits!

Student may sit anywhere in the cafeteria.

Student gets to skip an in-class assignment of their choice.

Student may wear slippers to school.

Students can have their picture/photo/video (if allowed by a parent/guardian) shared as a social media shout out on the school’s social media account(s).

This would have to be verified by the teacher in order to have the student’s name/picture/video release.

Student gets to sit in a special chair all day.

Student receives a special pass that must be visible on their dashboard to park in a close, designated spot for the day.

Student receives a special pass that must be visible on their dashboard to park in a close, designated spot all week.

Student gives spelling tests, with teacher supervision.

Participate in a Spirit Day activity, i.e.:  

Elementary:  Monday – Wear Pajamas, Tuesday – Crazy Hair, Wednesday – Crazy Socks, Thursday – Dress Like Your Teacher, Friday – Hat Day  

Secondary: Monday – Wear Pajamas, Tuesday – Wear School Colors, Wednesday – Crazy Socks, Thursday – College Gear, Friday – Hat Day Being on time for video lessons 

Students can challenge the teacher or other students with the spoon balancing challenge. Place the spoon on the bridge of your nose so that the handle is pointing down towards the floor and whoever can get the spoon to stay on their nose for the longest period of time wins!

In distance learning, this can be adjusted to be during a Zoom/Classroom video session.

The student(s) get to teach their classmates (and maybe their teacher) a sport. This is a great opportunity to promote being active and to give students a chance to receive positive attention from peers and teachers alike.

An Admin/Counselor/Teacher runs the dreaded Friday mile during PE with students.

Student’s work is shared to the class.

Student chooses a theme (respect, bullying, positive thinking, etc.) and designs a bulletin board; may invite friends to help.

Student gets to wear sunglasses inside.

Student gets to wear a cape and gets a creative superhero name (Wordgirl, Mathman, Professor D – first letter of their first name, etc.)

The superintendent recognizes the student in a video, social media, or board meeting.

Student may perform in the Talent Show.

Student purchases chat time for the whole class!

Student can work on tangram puzzles, which range from easy to difficult.

Students get to “clean” teachers going through the wash with hoses, water balloons, soapy sponges, etc.

Teacher attends the student’s after school event (basketball practice, dance class, musical, etc.).

Students use their earned behavior points to vote for teachers to be entered in a schoolwide lip sync contest assembly. Pairs of teachers perform against each other and students clap to determine the winner of each round.

Student gets to choose a teacher or admin that has to shave his beard.

Teacher goes to recess and plays with the student.

Child gets to assist teacher or shadow teacher throughout the day. With all activities and lesson plans.

The student is allowed to use the teacher’s chair at their own desk for the day.

Teacher shows off a special talent to the class (yo-yoing, singing, break dancing, drawing, cooking, etc.)

Students are allowed free time on a computer, tablet, or phone. The length of time may be determined by the teacher.

Allow the student to tell/share a school-appropriate joke during announcements!

Allow students add X test points for use on a future test of their choice.

The educator or even the students can decide on a Tik Tok dance and the students and teacher can all join (and when virtual) while completing the Tik Tok dance!

The student can choose a popular Tik Tok dance for their teacher to learn. The dance can be performed at the morning meeting or closing circle!

Student is in charge of the Promethean board remote. Once they do it for awhile, they’ll push freeze or blank without guidance.

The student gets to pick the staff member’s Tie for the day. Ugly tie donations can come from students and/or staff.

Students earn different virtual tags for completed assignments, participating, or following their schoolwide expectations!

Zoom group (or another virtual hangout) where students are asked to find common household objects. First one to complete the find gets to decide what to look for next.

Student gets to choose a specific color for the day and it is then a designated day of the week is when everyone wears that color.

Student gets to write and/or illustrate a welcome greeting or another positive message for the class on the smartboard.

Teacher has a class puzzle somewhere in the room (use puzzle roll up mat). Student gets to work on the puzzle.

Student’s writing is displayed in a designated, high traffic area for a selected period of time.

Student gets to sit on a yoga ball.

The student gets to make a list of music they like that is school appropriate. Then a playlist is made of the music. This can be used on a work day, or during a free period or art class.

The student will be able to help the teacher with letting students in a meeting or if someone is raising their hand or help with the chat room if there are questions to the teacher.

Pick a Zoom filter for the teacher to use for the day, like bunny ears, pig nose, or pirate hat.