| Author |
Message |
Erik
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 1:53 pm: |       |
I am trying to convince my principal and staff that utilizing food as a reward undermines the nutritional education that I teach in P.E.
It encourages the overconsumption of foods high in added sugar and fat, connects food to emotion, and reinforces unhealthful eating habits.
I'm curious if anyone can help, as my effort is being met with much resistance. Any success stories out there?
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Rebekah Maddox (Maddoxre)
Junior Member
Username: Maddoxre
Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 10:26 am: | |
I also believe that to many teachers reward students with food. This would not be a problem if the food was nutritional. Maybe there is a way that we can get this message out. |
becky pope (Bpope)
Junior Member
Username: Bpope
Post Number: 4
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 11:14 am: | |
I was part of the team that developed our district's Health Master Plan, and as I was working with this group, I realized that when I gave out candy to students for various reasons, I wasn't being true to the principles I believe when it comes to kids' health. I stopped giving out candy and started giving out pencils, which kids like, too (and I teach high school P.E.); it just means I don't give out as many rewards, as pencils are more expensive than candy. As a result of our district now having a Health Council and a Master Health Plan, our distict doesn't allow candy or soda on campus, and we've eliminated those (or similar) items as fundraisers. Between that and introducing healthier foods in our cafeterias (and getting rid of most of the junk), we are struggling with financial issues. That's just something that must be dealt with, though, as we can't trade our students' health for cost-effectiveness or as a way to get students involved in the classroom. Okay, I'm stepping down from my soapbox... |
Jennifer Mitchell (Jmm763)
Junior Member
Username: Jmm763
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 9:08 am: | |
I do not think that food should be used as a reward. It promotes a bad message and encourages students to be extrinsically motivated. I think a better reward for students is five minutes of free time at the end of class or letting them pick the activity for the next class session.
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Joseph Tommasini (Joeyt427)
New member
Username: Joeyt427
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 8:44 am: | |
I dont think that food is a good reward in the class room. It does give a bad message to students and only encourages them to do the work to get the candy. I think that something else should be given such as bonus points or free time at the end of class. |
Rachel Duesenberry (Red3962)
New member
Username: Red3962
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 9:46 am: | |
It will be hard trying to persuade the staff and others not to reward the children with candy because they themselves were probably rewarded with junk food. I remember my health teacher handing out candy to the students that earned A's on assignments and exams. My parents would not allow us to have ice cream unless we finished our food and we were all well behaved that day. Even now that you mentioned this topic, I noticed that my husband rewards me by taking me out to eat when I accomplished something great. Even if you substitute the candy with healthy snacks, the children will still make the connection between food and emotion, which is still unhealthy. You could make a suggestion to the staff to substitute the candy with extra credit points, having class outside, or playing an game in class that enhances their learning. |
Leah Marie Bazzano (Lmb6799)
Junior Member
Username: Lmb6799
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 11:31 am: | |
Erik,
I feel that food should not be a reward in a class room. I never heard of that, what is that teaching? I feel that rewards should be bonus points, a sticker, free time at the end of class, something other than food. Maybe say to your principal and staff that dont they think giving free time or a sticker is something better to do than to give out food because what kind of message is giving food? I agree giving candy is something that does need to get changed. |
Michelle Homan (Michelleh)
Junior Member
Username: Michelleh
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 8:23 am: | |
I am totally against giving food as a reward. Teachers send completely contradictory messages when they give sugary candy as a reward in the classroom. I also give pencils or stickers. |
Juli A West (West1513)
Junior Member
Username: West1513
Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 6:13 am: | |
Lets be real here, students at least high school students will not think that pencils and stickers are a reward. I think that its ok to give students candy as an award as long as its not all the time. I see no problem with it at all. If they want to eat it they will and if not they will not. |
Erik David Forssen (Edfskins)
Junior Member
Username: Edfskins
Post Number: 9
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 6:38 pm: | |
Hey there Juli ~
Are you familiar with the statistics? Have you read any articles relating to the detrimental effects of tying food to emotion?
There are so many wonderful ways to reward students, and to motivate them; food should not be one of them! |
