PBIS Incentives for Middle School Students

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 a $5 gift card to a local fast food restaurant.

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.

Student receives free admission to a school dance.

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

Student gets to attend a holiday party.

Student is allowed admission to the school carnival.

Student receives free admission to a sporting event.

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

Student is allowed to attend Field Day at the end of the year.

Student can attend a field trip for their positive behavior.

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

School arranges a volunteering trip after school or on the weekend and student gets admission to event.

Towards the end of the year, student receives free admission to a massive water balloon fight outside.

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.

Students remote and in-person can participate in an Art Party facilitated by Art Teacher or another staff member.

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.

Oh yes! This creative idea is what you think. A Teacher vs. Student Beanboozled® Jelly Belly jelly bean challenge. Make this a public challenge for your classroom or challenge the pricinpal at an assembly.

Proceed with caution. Some of these flavors are out right disgusting!

3-ring binder.

Using blank BINGO cards, have students fill them in and use math game pieces as bingo pieces.

Prizes can vary from candy bars to other donated items.

Fabric or paper book cover to protect the book.

Student gets to share a book or book talk with their peers by reading a book, giving a review of a book, posting information about a book on Flipgrid, or by hosting a book club with treats during the students’ independent reading time.

Average price when bought in bulk, 9¢ per item.

Student gets a page full of fun brainteasers.

Student receives a small breakfast treat (breakfast burrito, donut, cinnamon roll, etc.)

Student may bring a drink to school.

8-digit display with large LCD display; solar-powered.

This kit may include any inexpensive calming item(s). (e.g. stress ball, guided mediation poem, fidget spinner, mandala coloring page with color pencils, orbeez, slime, rubik cube, bubbles, sensory bag, etc.)

Average price when bought in bulk, 67¢ per item.

Students can participate in a canvas painting party.

See pictures from Rise Academy’s canvas party on Twitter.

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

Students can use sidewalk chalk to design and decorate the sidewalks and walking paths around the school.

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.

Students get to make and serve waffles (or pancakes) to staff members and parents. (With adult help/supervision)

School choir serenades a 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.

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).

12 ct. Crayola pre-sharpened colored pencils.

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.

Donated coupon from local restaurant/fast food place.

Student learns how to cook a meal with a teacher and take it home to their family.

Students can earn a cotton candy party.

Teacher shows student how to make an inexpensive craft. Perfect gift around the holidays!

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.

Outline a drawing and paint your masterpiece on a ceiling tile that will be hung in the ceiling of our school and make our building bright and beautiful!

Student chooses a teacher or administrator to receive a digital pie in the face.

5-tab dividers for binders.

Students play dodgeball game(s) against teachers. You could even have this be a year-end competition and have a trophy to recognize the winning team each year.

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

Student chooses what charity they want to donate a dollar to and gets a shout out on the PA.

Student chooses what charity they want to donate $5 to and get a shout out on the PA.

Donated coupon from local donut shop.

Students can enter into a monthly drawing/raffle to win a Door Dash lunch delivery.

In distance learning, this can be delivered to their home, instead of to them at the school.

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.

Donated coupon from local restaurant/fast food place.

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

Student(s) signs up to help duct tape administration to a wall.

Student(s) select which teacher they duct tape to a wall.

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.

Average price when bought in bulk, 35¢ per item.

A schoolwide PBIS celebration. Group student to match the number of rooms you have and have them work together to solve puzzles to find the next clue. Find all the clues in within the time limit to save the day.

Check on this post on Instagram.

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.

School can buy bulk items: Movie Candy, Popcorn, $5 movies and put together baskets to reward those who earn/purchase them.

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.

Average price when bought in bulk, 32¢ per item.

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.

Students can sit wherever they want in the lunchroom, get a popsicle, and have dance music played during lunch. They can dance when done eating.

Donated coupon from local restaurant/fast food place.

Donated coupon from local bowling alley.

Donated coupon from local laser tag facility.

Donated coupon from local miniature golf place.

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).

Average price when bought in bulk, 40¢ per item.

Students who earn a certain amount of points for the week get to attend the Good Behavior Glow Party! They can dress up in their “glow attire” (ex. light up shoes, neon colored socks, neon colored shirts, neon-colored tutus, etc.). Students can receive glow sticks and glow bracelets as they enter the party. These can be found at Dollar Tree and Walmart, especially around Mardi Gras time.

Average price when bought in bulk, 45¢ per item.

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

Students can earn a treat bag of small trinkets, school supplies, and/or candy placed in their Friday pick-up folder at school.  For older kids, it could be freebie food coupons donated by local businesses. You could adjust to a home delivery for distance learning.

A graffiti wall in which kids virtually—speak back to feel empowered in a powerless situation. Students earn a signing opportunity on rotation for public expression.  This would motivate students to feel empowered against things they can’t control (like COVID-19), be a part of the community at large, and a comrade of others in uncertain times.

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.

Display students’ names and accomplishments on a hall of fame wall. Can be a physical wall in the building or a virtual/online display.

Student may wear a hat.

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

Average price when bought in bulk, 45¢ per item.

Teacher brings in a homemade treat for the class.

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.

A game of “reality” Hungry Hungry Hippos. Students are rolled into the ball area to fetch and retrieve balloons with a laundry basket. Game(s) could be played tournament style or as a single.

Watch a video.

Donated coupon from local ice cream parlor/fast food place.

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.

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.

Average price when bought in bulk, 22¢ per item.

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

Average price when bought in bulk, 58¢ per item.

Send a laptop sticker to students with a personalized message. You can buy laptop stickers in bulk for as low as $5. Consider school branded laptop stickers.

If in distance learning, the sticker and message can be mailed to the student.

Student gets an extra day to turn in an assignment.

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

Create a spot on the school website to highlight students of the week, announce an award for them and highlight their achievement such as Perseverance, going the extra mile for assignments, catching up, keeping up, etc.

Assist the librarian for a selected period of time.

Students enjoy a limo ride and lunch.

Check it out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSkPrLaBP_D/

Magnetic mirror, perfect for lockers.

Wide-ruled or college-ruled loose leaf paper.

Scented hand lotion.

Teacher spends lunch and recess hanging out with the student.

Lunch delivered to the student by the Principal.

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.

School officer supplies lunch for student and eat together.

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.

School gets subscriptions to several magazines, based on student interests, and sells issues.

This tangible reward may also be a recognition award by displaying the mandalas in the school with a bulletin board. Many themed mandala pictures can be download online. Mandalas are useful for stress reduction and creativity.

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.

8 ct. Crayola markers.

0.7mm or 0.5mm pencil lead refill packs

Choose an educational site (or a few for students to choose from at similar price points) and have your students redeem points for a membership to the site.

Miniature art set filled with mini watercolors, mini brush, crayons, and pencils – create a masterpiece on the go. Fits easily in your backpack!

Student picks a friend for recess to play Minute to Win It games.

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.

Donated movie/video game poster from a local movie theater or video game store.

Donated movie tickets from a local movie theater.

Gift bag full of various items (soda, candy bar, pencils, journal, coupon, lotion, etc.) You could make several based on gender or grade level.

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.

Students can redeem points for a ramen noodle cup and drink. This reward can be redeemed with up to 6 students.

Wide-ruled or college-ruled notebook.

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.

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

Students can purchase a wall block to paint. This is a great way to personalize neutral colored cinder block hallways.

Have students redeem points for each raffle entry. The winner of the raffle gets a digital gift card!

Average price when bought in bulk, 9¢ per item.

Average price when bought in bulk, 12¢ per item.

Average price when bought in bulk, 80¢ per item.

Average price when bought in bulk, 9¢ per item.

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.

Arrange for a pet therapy animal to visit students who have purchased this reward.

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).

Average price when bought in bulk, 31¢ per item.

Student enters raffle to pie administration in the face.

Student enters raffle to pie a teacher of their choice in the face.

Donated coupon from local pizza place.

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.

Donated coupon from local movie theater.

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.

Students can enter into a raffle for an individual or small pizza and have it delivered to the student who wins the drawing. The drawing interval can be at what best fits the school (i.e. weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) The winner wins a pizza to be delivered to their home.

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!

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.

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

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.

6″ protractor with 1/2″ graduations to provide accuracy

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.

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 gets to work at the school store.

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

With teacher guidance, student does a science experiment (volcano, elephant toothpaste, lava lamp, etc.)

Average price when bought in bulk, 42¢ per item.

Set up a bulletin board background and keep a box full of props. Students who earn this reward can “rent” the props and an iPad (or another mobile device) to take a selfie. These pics can be printed and posted on a “caught being good” board or shared as part of your PBIS communications.

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.

Average price when bought in bulk, 55¢ per item.

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 picks a friend to use sidewalk chalk at recess.

Student may sit anywhere in the cafeteria.

Donated coupon from local skating rink.

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

Student enters raffle to slime administration.

Student enters raffle to slime teacher of their choice.

Student chooses from a variety of small pieces of candy (Jolly Rancher, fun-sized candy bars, etc.).

Enjoy a small snack during class.

Students can earn a snow cone day event. Use your own snow cone machine or bring a vendor into the school.

Bundle up and play in the snow!

The students get out an hour of school to play in the snow. We have used some money to buy snow toys like sleds and things, but many teachers bring in their snow toys. We have a nice sledding hill on the side of the school to use. We have a few school volunteers to monitor the event. This year, we might add hot chocolate!

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.

Average price when bought in bulk, 28¢ per item.

Students play softball game(s) against teachers. You could even have this be a year-end competition and have a trophy to recognize the winning team each year.

Student gets to sit in a special chair all day.

Student gives spelling tests, with teacher supervision.

Student can earn T-shirts or other spirit wear items from the school store.

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.

Students and teachers go head-to-head in a water balloon battle!

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.

Average price when bought in bulk, 88¢ per item.

Student gets to wear sunglasses inside.

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.).

Teacher supplies lunch for student and eat together.

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!

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!

Teachers dressed as turkeys run a race against the students. See the story and photos here.

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

Donated coupon from local businesses.

Donated coupon from local video store.

Student get to seats in VIP seating area at a school sporting event.

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.

Bulk packs of waterproof water bottle stickers can be purchased from online retailers like Amazon. Sticker packs are often themed and can consist of things that I know they like, such as Among Us, Minecraft, and Disney. Strengthen bonds with students by letting them know you listen to what they enjoy.

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.

Xbox Live points card.

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.