Introducing the Positive Bracelets to Students
Modeling is a great technique when teaching expectations for the brag bracelets. I act out the behavior I do not want in my classroom first, then show the behavior I want to see from my students. I usually have my students role-play for the class. Be prepared for lots of giggles coming from the students.
I make it very clear that students earn the positive bracelets, I don’t give them out for just any reason. Another rule is that I decide who earns them, students can’t ask for them. And since these are my class awards, I don’t give them anything outside of my supervision.
I teach my students to get the positive bracelets by themselves. I also have them learn how to put it on themselves or with a buddy. If a student doesn’t know what to do or where to look, I have a “Teacher’s Assistant” as part of the classroom jobs to help.
When to Give Positive Bracelets
Early on in my teaching career, I was told (repeatedly) to give specific praise when observing a student doing something good. I developed a habit of not just saying, “Good job!” but “Good job with walking in the hall quietly, Jordan.” I use specific verbal praise and on the spot have my students get their brag bracelet from the bracelet binder. The only time I can’t give them out on the spot is if we are in the hall, field trip, or not in the classroom. You can hand out the bands at the end of the day if you are using a clip chart.
There are so many ways to give out the positive bracelets. You can award students for being a secret student, STAR student, best effort, academic achievement, or growth. For counseling groups, they can be used for social skills, friendship, and self-esteem. You can hand them out to individuals or as a group. I think handing them out individually has more of a positive impact, but that will take habit and routine that you must establish.
You don’t want to overuse the positive bracelets. You want them to be a special award that continues to promote your behavior and academic goals. Not every student will get one each day or week. Some students will get the same bracelet for the expectation that was met. Some students will need more guidance on how to earn than others. I do not give them out for mediocre behavior. However, a student who has had behavior challenges meets a behavior goal that was set, and I can find them easily since there are so many brag bracelet choices.
I do not monitor which positive bracelets I give out to each student. I think they should be given out genuinely. But if you would like to use a tracking system, you can do what works for you. Another idea is to have the students collect the brag bracelets all week and wear them on Fridays. There are so many options and different ways to customize this reward system to meet your teaching style!
Purposeful Brag Bracelets
My EDITABLE Positive behavior, Educational, and Reminder Brag Bracelet sets, will help get your students excited about learning and promote positive behavior in the classroom. Positive Incentive Behavior Brag Bracelets for Students reinforces good behavior. The Educational Positive Affirmations Brag Bracelets by Subject highlight student achievements in academic work and progress. Since Parent Reminder Note Bracelet Set are editable, you can put dates on them and use them as quick notes!
There are both an ink-friendly and a color version. Reminder slips are easy to prepare and will save on paper by not printing on full or half sheets of paper. Print them on red or brightly colored paper. If you like the background of another bracelet and would like it in place of a bracelet, create a duplicate slide with the background you like, delete the text, and copy/paste the text and rectangle box of your choice. It’s important to plan out and organize the variety of printable wristbands so that you can quickly give students the brag bracelets they’ve earned.
It’s important to introduce and set the ground rules for the positive bracelets. Just like when a the teacher welcomes students with a smile in the morning, the positive bracelets will bring a smile on your students’ faces as they are earned throughout the day. This will encourage students to work hard and make good choices to earn the brag bracelets.
