Setting up a Ticket System

When it comes to classroom management, I believe that the most important thing a teacher can do is establish strong relationships with his/her students, and while I love when students are intrinsically motivated this is not always the reality of my classroom.  I work with older struggling readers, and so often before we've even begun there is a resistance to learning-- this is one of the reasons I do like to use a ticket system and provide tangible rewards.  At the beginning of the year I use it to establish routines and certain behaviors, but towards the end of the year they are used more for encouragement, and as a "thank you for persevering even thought that was tough" reward.  Recently, I was asked how to set up a ticket system when setting up a new classroom.  I reflected on my process, and this chart is what I came up with.  I have posted other blogs about menu items and specific ways to earn tickets linked here and here.