Linky Party: What's YOUR favorite reward/incentive?!

Well, Carrie over at First Grade Derby is having her first linky party.  I've quickly realized that bloggers LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these linky parties. Why not?  You meet new people and get some pretty cool ideas.  I'll take it.  This linky deals with anything and everything about rewards and incentives in the classroom.

I don't know about you all, but my little kiddies get so excited when I mention the treasure chest or candy.  Can't blame them...My eyes and stomach get REAL big when I walk down the candy aisle during the halloween season.  This can get pretty expensive.   One reward I can't get enough of (and my students can't either) is our classroom "Noodle Jar".  It's Ahhhhhmazing.

This little guy will get anyone to raise their hand and try their very best to answer a question.  So, what happens is I have a box of uncooked ziti noodles at my desk.  If a student uses their "noodle" in an outstanding way, they get to put a noodle in the "Noodle Jar".  Once it is filled, our class will take a vote on what kind of party we want...pajama day, a movie, popcorn, extra recess...the possibilities are endless.

Personally, I love it, because my students learn that sometimes we have to work really hard for things that we want.  Plus, it's a group effort.  They cheer each other on for earning that little noodle.  Which is awesome!  We love our food in my room, so I hear many debates on if we are going to have a movie/popcorn party or an ice cream party.  I know, the life of a 6 year old.

So, what do you love to do in your classroom to reward?

Currently: September!!

Thanks to Farley at Oh Boy in Fourth Grade for this month's "Currently"!  Let's just say, I have a lot of favorite things....but the soda machine down the hall has been my saving grace for caffeine this week.  Can I get an AMEN?!!

Second Week: We Can Do This!

I am celebrating the second week of school by setting up my teacher blog!  Believe me, this has been a work-in-progress for some time.  I love the idea of sharing creative ideas and just having other teachers "close by" who get what I'm going through on a daily basis, but blogging, teachers pay teachers, teachers notebook, etc. kind of overwhelms/freaks me out.  These teachers are crazy, but oh, so dedicated. Baby steps for me, right?!

Things I've learned this week:
- My immune system apparently got lost over the summer, since I was running to the bathroom Tuesday afternoon with the "stomach bug". Ah, fun times.
- "Pete the Cat" rocks like no ones business.  Thanks Miss Curtis for that!  It's HILARIOUS watching those 25 kids dance to his books/songs.
- Lice in the room can be a REAL debbie downer.  Good thing I have lots of hair gel!
- My class loves recess.  I wish I got a dollar every time they asked when recess was happening.  Really though, who doesn't love recess?!
- Keeping up with grading is SO nice.  I hope it lasts!
-Wearing gloves is important in science, because "our fingers might melt away if we touch anything".

Congrats everyone for making it through another week!  I can already feel it...This year is going to be a GOOD one.