Being consistent with practicing each week is a challenge. I am always inspired by my son’s charts at elementary school. His spelling graph for the entire year inspired me to do this visual incentive for “High Five” practice. At first I let the students put their hot air balloon anywhere in the sky, but then I couldn’t tell who was leading the pack with their tally marks so I rearranged them in January, plus they needed something new to notice on my wall.
When they get five tally marks they can pick a treat from my basket. To get a tally mark for the week, students need to practice five days and mark it on the chart. Some students have practiced the five days, but are not good at charting! When they reach 15 tally marks they get their choice of a two-dollar bill or a Texas donut. What is a Texas donut? Well, it’s huge and thanks to my son’s fourth grade teacher, it’s a hit at our house!