a paper submitted for a class taken at universalclass.com
The Penmack Principle maintains that an undesirable behavior of the student can be made desirable by providing them with the opportunity to do a more desirable behavior at a later time. This system offers priviledges as rewards instead of tangible items. An excellent method to keep track of progress when applying this principle is the BEAD SYSTEM. The bead system serves three purposes: It is a reminder of a verbal contract between students and teachers, of the students progress, and a practical tool for measuring eligibility for available weekly rewards. It is a good practice to confer with the students and allow them to assist in coming up with appropriate behaviors that will receive rewards. It is important that the rewards are tailored to the age, maturity level, and temperament of the class. The desired behaviors and the amount of reward should be listed for the teacher and student to refer to. Something needs to be provided for the beads to be kept on. The author of our lesson recommends a pipe cleaner attached to the students desk or chair. A key factor to success is to vary the frequency. Do not allow the student to determine the criteria or timing for passing out beads. Students should not be rewarded if they ask for the bead, or if they point out they own behavior that is desired. When it is time to provide opportunity to redeem the beads, a time that should be prearranged, ask for the 1st (and/or 2nd) to come to the front as you call the number of beads that they have. Start a couple beads above the highest that should have been earned in a week and go downwards in your count. Be sure to confirm the number of beads the student claims to have. This works well for the Premack system in that you are asking the students to perform desired behaviors, which will be rewarded initially with beads, which can be redeemed periodically for an activity that they have a strong desire to do.
