Music,+Music+For+Everyone+Reinforcing+Activity

Materials: Cookies for the entire class Pretend dollars that students can 'earn' Large chart with rules explaining how to earn or lose a dollar.

Procedure: At the beginning of class the teacher will tell the students that she has a prize for them if they can earn enough money by the end of day. To earn a prize, which is a cookie, students must earn 3 dollars by the end of the day. Each student will earn a 'dollar' for each good behavior the entire day. Students can lose a dollar for bad behavior. Students will start off with 0 dollars, and can earn dollars, which will be monitored by the teacher throughout the day. The teacher will post a list of rules that are equivalent to the student earning/losing a dollar. An example of such a list would be this: 1. Turn in all homework at beginning of class 2. Do not get your name on the board by the end of the day. (or similar punishment) if student does they will lose a dollar. 3. Quietly walking in the hallways between classes. If student does not, they lose a dollar. 4. Do not speak out unless you are called upon by a teacher, or student will lose a dollar. 5. Keep desks and area clean throughout the day.

This will give the students a sense of earning their way to a prize. They will understand that what they want to gain is in their control and they will be forced to 'earn' dollars by monitoring their behavior that day. This will give students a sense of empowerment because they realize they are in control of their prizes.

At the end of the day the teacher will add up how many dollars each student has earned. Those who have earned 3 dollars will receive the prize. The teacher will then lead a class discussion about how it felt being in control of the prizes. How it felt to earn the dollars and work for something they really wanted? Or did they simply not think it was worth it to behave well in order to recieve their prize.

This will reinforce how students see working toward a goal, and how it will feel when they finally recieve their prize. It will also show students that altering their behavior, much like the children learning to play instruments together, may result in their desire for what they need.