Mystery Motivator Chart (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

The Savvy Teacher’s Guide: Selected Ideas for Behavioral Intervention

Jim Wright ( )

Intervention Script:

1. Introduce the Mystery Motivator program to students:

• Explain that students will have the chance to earn rewards for good

behavior.

• Review the behaviors that you have selected with students. Use

demonstration and modeling to ensure that students clearly know either (a)

the negative behavior(s) that should be avoided or (b) the positive

behavior(s) that should be increased. Post the behavioral definitions that

you have written.

• Introduce the Mystery Motivator Chart. Tell students that they can earn a

chance to fill in the blank on the chart for the current day to uncover a

possible reward—but only if they first are able to show the appropriate

behaviors. Specifically, inform students of the behavioral criteria that they

must meet and the time period each day that the program will be in effect

(e.g., “If you turn in all of your classwork assignments by 2 p.m., you will

be allowed to color the daily blank on the chart.”)

• Let students know that the magical letter “M” (for Mystery Motivator) has

been secretly placed in some (but not all) of the chart squares. If the

student reveals the “M” as he or she fills in the chart, the student can select

a reward from the reward menu.

2. Start the Mystery Motivator intervention. At the end of the daily monitoring

period, inform the student or class whether they have earned the chance to fill

in the Mystery Motivator Chart. Permit the student or class to color in the

chart blank for the current day, using the special markers.

• If the magic letter “M” appears, the student or class can select a prize from

the prize menu.

• If the magic letter “M” does not appear, congratulate and praise the

student or class for their good behaviors. Let them know that they will

have another chance to fill in the Mystery Motivator Chart tomorrow.

3. At the end of each week, determine whether the student or class has met

criteria to fill in the Bonus Points box. Award any points that appear in the

box and let the student or class redeem them for corresponding prizes from the

reward menu.

Tips:

Mystery Motivator Chart Page 2