99 Free or Inexpensive Rewards for Individual Students

Elementary Level

1. Assist the custodian
2. Assist with morning announcements over the PA system
3. Be a helper in another classroom
4. Be featured on a photo recognition board
5. Be recognized during announcements
6. Be the first one in the lunch line
7. Be the leader of a class game
8. Be the line leader or the caboose
9. Be the scout (Person who goes ahead of class to tell the special teacher they are on the way)
10. Be the teacher's helper for the day
11. Borrow the principal’s chair for the day
12. Buzz cut a design in an agreeable male’s head
13. Choose a book for the teacher to read aloud to the class
14. Choose any class job for the week
15. Choose music for the class to hear
16. Choose the game during physical education
17. Choose which homework problem the teacher will give the answer to for a freebie
18. Cut the principal’s tie off and have your picture featured on a bulletin board with the neck part of the tie as the frame.  Keep the tip for a souvenir.
19. Dance to favorite music in the classroom
20. Design a class/school bulletin board
21. Design and make a bulletin board
22. Do half of an assignment
23. Draw on the chalkboard
24. Draw on a small white board at desk
25. Draw pictures on the chalkboard while the teacher reads to the class (illustrating the story being read)
26. Earn a free pass to a school event or game
27. Earn a gift certificate to the school store or book fair
28. Earn a pass to the zoo, aquarium, or museum
29. Earn a trophy, plaque, ribbon or certificate
30. Earn an item such as a Frisbee, hula hoop, jump rope, paddleball or sidewalk chalk, which promote physical activity
31. Earn extra computer time
32. Earn extra credit
33. Earn free tutoring time from the teacher (spelling secrets, math secrets, writing secrets)
34. Earn play money to be used for privileges
35. Earn points for good behavior to “buy” unique rewards (e.g. Autographed items with special meaning or lunch with the teacher)
36. Earn the privilege of emailing a parent at work telling of accomplishments
37. Eat lunch outdoors with the class
38. Eat lunch with a teacher or principal
39. Eat lunch with an invited adult (grandparent, aunt, uncle)
40. Eat with a friend in the classroom (with the teacher)
41. Enjoy a positive visit with the principal
42. Enjoy class outdoors for the whole class

44. Enter a drawing for donated prizes among students who meet certain grade standards
45. Get “free choice” time at the end of the day
46. Get a “no homework” pass
47. Get a drink from the cold water fountain (There is always one fountain that is better)
48. Get a flash cards set printed from a computer
49. Get a video store or movie theatre coupon
50. Get extra art time
51. Go on a walking field trip (earn privilege for whole class)
52. Go to the library to select a book to read
53. Have a drawing lesson
54. Have a free serving of milk
55. Have a teacher read a special book to the entire class
56. Have an extra recess
57. Have teacher share a special skill (e.g. Sing)
58. Have the teacher make a positive phone call home
59. Help in a lower level class
60. Keep a stuffed animal at desk
61. Learn how to do something special on the computer- like graphics or adding sound
62. Learn how to draw something that looks hard, but with help is easy
63. Listen to music while working
64. Listen with a headset to a book on audiotape
65. Make deliveries to the office
66. Name put on scrolling marquee with a specific message “Emily Jones says smile and eat your veggies.”
67. Operate the remote for a PowerPoint lesson
68. Pick a game at recess that everyone plays including the teacher
69. Play a computer game
70. Play a favorite game or puzzle
71. Read a book to the class
72. Read morning announcements
73. Read outdoors
74. Read to a younger class
75. Receive a “mystery pack” (gift-wrapped items such as a notepad, folder, puzzle, sports cards, etc.)
76. Receive a 5-minute chat break at the end of the class or at the end of the day
77. Receive a note of recognition from the teacher or principal
78. Receive a plant, seeds and a pot for growing
79. Receive art supplies, coloring books, glitter, bookmarks, rulers, stencils, stamps, pens, pencils, erasers and other school supplies
80. Receive verbal praise
81. Select a paper back book to take home to read from the teacher’s personal library
82. Sit at the teacher's desk for the day or a set amount of time
83. Sit next to the teacher during story time
84. Sit with a friend at lunch, assembly, etc.
85. Take a free homework pass
86. Take a trip to the treasure box (non-food items such as water bottles, stickers, key chains, temporary tattoos, yo-yo’s, bubbles, spider rings, charms and pencil toppers)
87. Take care of the class animal
88. Take class animal home for school vacation time
89. Take home a class game for a night
90. Teach the class a favorite game

91. Teach the class a math lesson
92. Use colored chalk
93. Use the teacher's chair
94. Walk with a teacher during lunch
95. Watch a video instead of recess
96. Work as the Principal apprentice for 20 minutes
97. Work in the lunchroom
98. Write with a marker for the day
99. Write with a special pen for the day