I really like the ideas of earning something that doesn't cost anything (extra recess). I am now trying to think of a May contest to squeeeeeze that last bit of box tops out of the 5th graders before they move on to another school. The only thing I could think of is hat day...thanks for additional ideas!!
I like the idea of using box tops as a way to pay for something other then needing cash. I wanted to do this last year at our end of the year barbeque but the rest of the PTO didn't like the idea. Maybe I will try to bring it up again.
We did end up almost $300 short of our goal. We also collected less then we did last year. So to me the kids really liked the parties and worked for them. We did buy a trophy we titled BOX TOPS
ALL STARS and the classroom that brings in the best average per student each month wins the trophy. They also get their photo in the local newspaper, and on our PTO bulletin board in the school entryway. An extra half hour recess and a snack are also awarded. The kids are anxious for us to award that extra half hour recess. We are waiting for a very nice day to do that. Up here in Northern Maine it's still kind of cool.
How timely this is for me! I just spent the weekend setting up our Box Tops contest, the first one the school will have had in the 2 years I've been there.
It will start next Wed., to give me time to print the flyers for the Tues. folders,and run thru March 20. That way I'll still have time to process the box-tops and get them out before March 31st.
I've written up blurbs for the morning announcements and will be making a poster for the teacher's mailroom.
The prizes are a freeze pop party for the winning class-we have a lot left over from another activity-and $25 for the winning teacher to spend at our book fair in April. That way the teachers have a reason to be interested in the outcome too.
We are talking about using box-tops as cash for tickets at our Multi-Cultural Fair also, but that isn't until April and those would have to go for next year's check.
Next year I hope to come up with something more creative, but this will do for now.
Did you know BFE has message boards on their site that talk about this very thing? HTH!
Back to your original question: how do we get kids excited about saving boxtops? Connect them to money. We sell popcorn once a week at lunch. The cost is 25 cents a bag or 5 BoxTop$ For Education. We sold ice cream one day for 50 cents a bar or 10 BoxTop$ For Education. Once the kids become aware that these things are worth something, they make sure to save them. We don't do the classroom competition any more.
In our school each grade level class that collects the most we do ice cream treats or popsicles, root beer floats it just depends. They can have them in the afternoon before going home how long does it take to have a ice-cream. I think that the kids enjoy that.
