The M & M review is a staple in my classroom. My students ask for it year
after year. I have used other small treats that have worked just as well such as
Skittles, Candy Corn and even Goldfish!
The day before a content test such as science or social studies, I always did
a verbal review. I asked each student a question. Problem was they only paid
attention to their question. By offering a small prize for a correct response
and the chance of another prize, I had students very excited to answer. Here is
the procedure.
I would ask one review question and then call on a student at random. I would
not repeat the question so the students had to be listening. If the student
answers the question correctly, then they earn the prize. If not, no prize is
awarded and I go to the next question and student. To keep students interested,
I allowed the student to call on a lifeline. They could ask one student to
answer the question for them, even if they already had a turn. If the question
was answered correct, both students received the prize. If incorrect, no prize
was awarded. Rules were simple. You had to stay seated and if you knew the
answer you would raise your hand and hope to be called on. I can not tell you
how excited my students would become!
I could not believe how much my students enjoyed this. I was even able to
move the prize over into other areas such as cleaning up after art projects. I
would announce, anyone who brings me five pieces of trash (cut and paste always
made a mess!) would get ONE M & M or prize. It was amazing
what I could get my students to do for just one M & M or Skittle. Sometimes,
just the suggestion that it would be awarded would get my students motivated.
Parents did not seem to mind that the students received these small prizes.
They knew it was only one or two a day and never every day. I had parents
sending in the small favors and my students and I reaped the benefits.
