Coming up with fresh and fun whole-class virtual incentives can be tricky. It was already difficult coming up with tons of whole-class incentives to use in the classroom but now with teaching online, it is even trickier.
Let me help! I’ve rounded up 25 easy, whole-class virtual incentives.
Spirit or Theme Days as Virtual Incentives
Spirit or theme days are a classic way to engage students. There are tons of different ideas out there for spirit or theme days so I’ve just listed a few below that are favourites in my class.
1. Dress like your teacher
2. PJ day
3. Wear a hat
4. Silly sock day
5. Fun hair day
6. Dance party
Turn on some kid appropriate music during your online meeting and get everyone to dance! You can also play some Just Dance videos if you don’t think your students will feel comfortable freestylin’.
7. Virtual field trip
Take your students on a virtual field trip. So many places are doing virtual field trips now. You can even find some on YouTube.
8. Music while you work
Play music during your online work block. You can even take requests to make this extra fun.
9. Show and tell
Give each student an opportunity to unmute and show something that they are proud of. They could even share their screen and show a video or a picture. It could also be an item or a creation that they have at home.
10. Virtual talent show
This one is similar to show and tell but students focus on showcasing something that they are good at (AKA a talent… lol).
Like in show-and-tell, the student can show a video or a photo of them doing their talent. They can also do a live performance or show a creation. I suggest putting a time cap on this one because if your students are enthusiastic, it could go on for quite some time…
Do you want a list of these whole class virtual incentives? Grab the freebie!
11. Vote on teacher outfit
Let students vote on a fun outfit for you to wear. Agree to wear the outfit that wins to the next online meeting.
12. Vote on teacher hair style
Similar to the one above, let students vote on a fun hairstyle that you will attempt to do. Do that hairstyle for the next online meeting.
13. Invite special guest to class meeting
Invite a special guest to your online meeting. This can be a special guest that you decide together as a class or it can also be a surprise special guest.
14. Art party
Set aside some extra art time and do a fun art piece or craft together. For added engagement, you can even have students suggest art projects they’re interested in doing.
15. Choose a dance for teacher to perform
These next two suggestions have Tik Tok written all over them! We all know students are obsessed with those trendy dances so if we can’t beat them, let’s join them.
For this one, students will choose a dance for you to learn and perform for them.
16. Learn a dance together as a class
For this incentive, the class will choose a dance for everyone to learn together.
17. Family movie night
Involve students’ families in this incentive. Host an online meeting family movie night.
18. Snack and chat
Host a simple snack and chat. Students come to an online meeting with their favourite snack and they can take turns unmuting and chatting or typing in the chat.
19. Call teacher by first name for a day
You have to feel comfortable with the non-traditional for this one. Students get to call you by your first name for the day.
20. Padlet or Flipgrid sharing time
Add a sharing prompt to Padlet or Flipgrid. Have students respond to the prompt using audio, video, photos or by typing their responses.
21. Watch videos together
Watch a few YouTube videos together. I’m thinkin’ funny cat videos but your students might have better videos to suggest. To ensure they are appropriate, I suggest having your students send you the videos ahead of time so that you can preview them.
Don’t forget to grab your virtual incentives freebie!
22. Play a game as a class
Play a game together as a class. If you are looking for online meeting activity suggestions, check out my post all about Google Meet and Zoom activities.
23. Guest reader
Invite a guest reader to read to students during one of your online meetings. Some ideas are the class educational assistant, your principal or school counsellor.
24. STEM challenge
Take time in a class meeting to do a STEM challenge. Keep it simple so that students can be innovative with the supplies they have access to at home. Here’s an example of a STEM prompt idea: Can you build a tower that can support your stuffed animal?
25. Play trivia
There are tons of ways to play trivia online. You can have students play individually or in teams. If you have any of those Brain Quest books, they are perfect for trivia with kids. You can also find tons of trivia questions online.
Want this to be even easier?
Check out the virtual class reward system that includes a Google Form for students to vote on their reward choice & virtual invitations to give students the details so they can participate.
Need more ideas for virtual incentives?
Read this post all about virtual rewards for students. Pair this list and that list together and you can conquer online learning!
