Those bloody incentive / punishment schemes

[Tincletoes]

Ok... DS1 started Year 1 last week. V boy heavy class. The teacher is employing the whole sun / cloud / storm system. So far quite a few boys have gone onto the cloud (including DS1 for talking in the register - no complaints here).

Another boy was put on storm on Monday, also for talking. To me this seems fairly harsh bearing in mind storm is seen as fairly serious - a letter home from the head etc. I think bearing in mind these children are only 1 week into year 1 that's pretty heavy but anyway, guess she's trying to make her mark.

So DS1 comes home today saying it's not fair, storm boy went onto rainbow today for doing good listening. My question here really is does anyone else think these schemes are utter tripe when the message DS1 has got is that if you keep playing up, you then have to do basically anything to get what he perceives is a reward?

I don't really know what to do apart from be annoyed, is hardly worth raising with the teacher, just all seems a bit bonkers.

so boy has redeemed himself by behaving well and this not fair? why?

putting a child on the cloud or the storm or whatever only works if they know they can come off it if they behave well.

otherwise what would be the point?

Why are you trying to make sense of this based on the limited info provided by your ds? You are never going to be ale to make a judgements about all t he teachers day to day decisions unless you are there towing ses what has happened. FWIW I am not mad on these systems but I would personally support the teacher to my son and reinforce the rules with him to ensure he stays on the rainbow. I would not get drawn into whether it is fair or not.

Oh sorry not clear was I.

Rainbow is not the "status quo". Rainbow is what they go on for being really really good - it's for exceptionally good behaviour etc. I totally agree they should be able to go back to zero IYSWIM, but when only 1 other child has made it to rainbow so far, it seems mixed messages to me?

Oh and agree re supporting the teacher. In front of DS1 she has my full support. And I do know I'm probably only getting half a story - I'm just not a fan of this scheme at all.

Possibly and you may be completely right but you are still operating on limited info and are getting drawn into something which you can't control ie the day to day management of your dc's teacher's classroom. if your dc is consistently on storm then I would make an appointment to discuss your ds behaviour and how you can help him, but please for your own sanity let the teacher get on with their job which is to discipline in order to be able to teach the children effectively.

I also sometimes find I disagree majorly with teacher in dd school but I focus on keeping my beak out unless it was relating to my dd well being and progress. I think you have to accept that your dc play by the rules of the school.

I'm assuming they get a reward of some sort for going on the rainbow? You might as well get used to it TBH. Those who end up on the cloud/storm are noticed more for their good behaviour and more likely to get on the rainbow. Those who stay on the sun, well they stay on the sun. It's a crap system

I do see what you're saying cansu and as I say DS is only hearing me back the teacher up. I also don't envy her having a large class made up of lots of small boys.

Thankfully DS is (normally) very good - he was mortified to go onto the cloud so heaven knows what he'd be like if he ever got to storm. I just think there must be kids more deserving of going onto rainbow than "storm boy" - and no, not my DS - I don't think he should either this week if he's had to go on a cloud. I think it sends out mixed messages.

But you're totally right and I will (and have) continue to support her in what must be a particularly trying first few weeks!

The big picture though is not that your DS, or others get absolutely the "fair" amount of suns, rainbows, clouds etc...

It is that all kids get encouraged to cooperate, listen, try etc.. and all benefit from having a peaceful cooperative class where the teacher is spending minimum time on discipline.

Tripe vote here.