Do you wonder how other GMM teachers inspire their students to earn points?

Check out some of these ideas below or on our Motivational Lesson Plans page!

The daily grade is earned by meeting the GMM Daily Goal.

Students who earn a certain amount of points get to sit in the comfy chair for a day.

Every Friday, two teachers have their students work in Spiral Review while listening to music. Using earbuds, students listen to music, compete to earn the high score of the day, and improve their long term retention at the same time!

Two teachers held a 4-day competition among their classes. The point-winning class earned a pizza party and the winners were showcased in the school newsletter and the local paper. One student earned 2,757 points in four days!

Some teachers use leaderboards to encourage class competition.

At the beginning of class, while she takes attendance, a middle school teacher gives 5 minutes for students to earn as many points as possible. The top point earners are given a small candy.

One teacher gives a homework pass to students who earn more points than required during a given time period. During a 3-day time frame, she asked for 40 points. One student earned 944 points!

The class earning the most points earns extra time at recess.

One teacher hands out math money - $1 for every 50 points above the weekly goal. One student earned over 1300 points!!! From the class store, students can 'purchase' items such as pencils, erasers, post-it notes, or flip-flops. This teacher says the students learn about finance in addition to earning their rewards.

Only those with their name on the board can help other students if the teacher is busy with another student.

The two categories of helpers are:

1. 5 Star Generals - those with at least 5 stars in their Spiral Review and,

2. Terrific Tutors - those whose ratio of green boxes is greater than the sum of their red and yellow boxes combined. (For example: If they have 11 green, 2 red, and 3 yellow their ratio is 11 green to 5 red +yellow so they can be a tutor.)

Students realize that the list is fluid. If your status changes, your name can be taken off the helper board or your name could be added.

Some teachers use points clubs with various incentives for level.

For every 25 points, they earn a leaf. Once they earn 4 leaves, they earn a pumpkin.

One math department challenged each grade level to compete for the most points earned. The winning class won a hot breakfast prepared by the teachers.

One teacher uses a ticket system. Students earn tickets for meeting the Daily Goal, helping other students, improving a follow-up exam by 10% or more, or improving proficiency colors over the previous week. Once per month, a winner is drawn from the ticket jar for a $10 gift card.

Students doubling the daily goal earn a bubble for the class on the bulletin board. At the end of the marking period, the class with the most bubbles wins a party.

For the top two point earners of the week, a teacher gives an automatic 100 on the weekly quiz. These students are motivated to earn points and feel they have received a huge reward. They really have just completed the quiz problems ten times!

One teacher makes an infinity symbol for every 1000 points earned by her students. She creates fun images using the infinity symbols to post on her classroom wall. Her students and their parents enjoy seeing the 'fruits of their labor' posted on social media.

One group of middle school teachers set a school-wide goal of 15,000 points for one week. If the goal was met,

The students exceeded the challenge!