An Interview with Tina Slater, a Special Education Teacher
Position Title: Special Education Teacher
Grades: Fourth and Fifth Grades
School Name: Onsted Elementary School
Years Teaching: 27 years
Current Subjects: Reading, Math and Writing
How do you use tokens from Fitness Finders in your reading classroom?
In my reading resource classroom, students are awarded tokens after reading a leveled chapter book. Students are reading their chapter book for 10-15 minutes each day so it can take 8-12 days to complete a book. During reading, the student and I talk about the text and I listen to them read. When the book is complete, we meet to talk about the book and their reading success. During this time I present a token to commemorate their accomplishment.
How do you choose which tokens to use?
When selecting the token to award, I try to match the token with the book the student has just completed. I have a variety of animals and objects to choose from.
When students completed a book about Knights, I awarded them a key and a compass — which were two important objects from the Knights' Quest. They were thrilled! Sometimes it can be more difficult to make a match - in those cases, I may use the question mark token and make a connection with the predictions students made during reading or their use of expression when reading aloud.
How do you distribute tokens?
Tokens are presented by me to students in a private ceremony. I actually make a big deal when presenting the token and make a mini-speech calling out the achievements the students made while reading the book and making connections between their reading success and the token.
I am conferencing (video) with the student, but I am aware that others (family members) are listening. I try to call out as many positive reading behaviors as possible.
How do students display their tokens?
Students wear their tokens on lanyards during reading class (the laces from Fitness Finders). Each student selected their lanyard and the links (Lacelink) from the variety of colors and patterns Fitness Finders offers.
When students aren’t wearing their necklaces they are displayed on hooks near our bookshelves.
Do you have a favorite token?
I love all of the Animals! Our school mascot is the wildcat — so all of the cats and paws are a hit with my students.
How has this changed your classroom environment or impacted student motivation?
Rewarding tokens has brought a bit more fun and provided a visual that represents student success. I love it when I hear a student say,
“I can’t believe I have read this much,” as they are putting on their necklace before class.
Can you share any stories or quotes from students while using tokens in your class?
5th grader Emma said,
“When we get rewarded with tokens, it just makes us want to read more and work harder. It makes everything more fun!”
Do you have any plans specifically for reading month?
During Reading Month, students will be earning double tokens and we will be celebrating Wildcats Read with drawings for extra tokens. I’ll also be taking pictures of students reading while wearing their token necklaces to send home with their progress reports in mid-March.
