a token token system

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Well, after our meeting two weeks ago to discuss 's behavior,

where I arrived armed with charts, graphs, notes from the aide, etc. to

show them that isn't receiving ANY positive reinforcement, our

team agreed that yes, she isn't receivng any rewards for positive

behavior, and that this must change. We left the meeting feeling good,

and that something good was going to happen. We removed red tickets for

any offense other that safety/security (running away from a teacher,

hiding) or school rules like hitting. Great. I presented my plan for a

token system, where would receive tokens, that could be used

to purchase small items at the end of the day (or sooner, if neede at

the beginning). As you all know, THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA, and I would

think they should be familiar with it. We discussed (as always) that

often has difficulty beginning a task (especially math), and

that the tokens could be particularly useful here, where she could get a

token (for example) picking up her pencil, starting the first problem,

etc. Well, they met to " discuss " the token system, and I received

written info on Friday, and the first card yesterday. THEY DON'T GET

IT!!!!!!! Basically, they have taken her " Daily Behavior Card " , which

she uses as a visual schedule and checks off what she did (went to OT,

read with teacher, came in from recess on time, etc.) and added tokens

for each box checked. Sooooooooooo, the box for math reads " I began my

Math work with no reminders " . So, she needs to begin with no reminders

to earn a token. The don't understand that this will never happen

because she doesn't like math because it's hard for her. So, once she

gets a reminder, what is the incentive to begin, since she can't receive

a token? Then, the next box is " I finished my math before lunch " .

Well, again, she is expected to complete a task, within a timeframe, to

receive the reward. Yesterday, she came home with neither box checked.

So,. my question to them is: How many reminders did it take to get her

to begin math? What choices were given, and why wasn't she given a

token for beginning, if she did actually start doing math? Did she do

any math, or did she just sit there the entire time? Did she do some or

all of her math, but not finish before lunch? They also didn't give any

info about what prizes will be purchased with tokens..... I was thinking

very small (since she would be willing to pay 5 or 10 tokens, I'll bet,

for a tiny Tootsie roll!), and she didn't tell me she bought anything

yesterday, so that will be yet another question on my list today.

They are going to be ticked off, because from the tone of the note they

sent home on Friday (desciribing the new plan), they are awfully proud

of themselves for coming up with such a good Behavior card, and they

think we'll like it so much that we don't even have to have the meeting

that was agreed to at our last team meeting to discuss the token system

with us. They also want a parent signature on the card, and have it

returned to them....... yeah, like THAT'S going to happen! They

apparently didn't like my binder of every behavior card that had been

sent home this year, with ridiculous notes like " received red ticket for

not wiping her nose when asked 4 times " that was passed around at the

last meeting....... you should have seen the principal's face when she

read them! So, I just wrote in the communications journal today that I

would note that I had received her card for the day so that they would

know it got home, but that I coudn't send it back because I needed to

keep my own records. They can't make me send it back, can they?

I'm disappointed that they don't (or don't want to) get it. My goal is

to have all this hashed out by the end of the year, so that when we

start 2nd grade, the plan will be firm, the system working well, so we

can just tell the 2nd grade teacher " This is how it has been, and this

is working " rather than starting over again next year.

Well, off to volunteer my time at the school.......... at least the my

other kids teacher's appreciate having me around, LOL.

, mom to (9), (7 DS), and (5)