Having a VIPKid reward system is essential to a great lesson…at least in the eyes of your students! If you’ve been a virtual teacher for any length of time, you know how much the kids enjoy receiving their “stars,” playing games, and receiving personalized rewards from you. However, remembering to use secondary rewards in addition to the virtual stars in class can be a daunting task…especially as a new VIPKID teacher. But, the Find-A-Star reward system is the perfect starting point!
You see, the system is really easy to use. It requires minimal preparation, takes up just a small amount of space, and integrates perfectly with the virtual stars. Truthfully, it takes a little bit of the initial fear of “forgetting something during class” out of the equation, and therefore, it’s a winner in my book!
How Find-A-Star Works
The premise is simple.
Create or choose a reward sheet, or “board” that has 12 images and stars, and place it on a small cookie sheet using magnets. (You can also use tape or sticky tack.) When your student does a good job, he/she picks a number. Simply remove the number to reveal the picture or star beneath. That’s all there is to it!
The kids love it and are always so excited to find their stars. My favorite thing about the Find-A-Star reward is the fact that when a star is revealed, it’s a reminder to me to click the stars on the screen. No more forgetting the virtual stars!
Where Do I Find the Find-A-Star Reward Boards?
Well, you have two options.
Option 1-You can create your own boards and numbers. This will take time and energy, but you can certainly do it. You’ll need to go online and find images to fill your 12 spaces. Consider making several different ones so that the stars are not always under the same numbers. (Trust me, the kids will figure this out quickly and the reward will lose some of its luster.)
Option 2-You can take the easy route, and it will only cost you $5.00. I created 2 different sets of reward boards bundles with each set containing 40 unique boards. The original, and best-selling, Find-A-Star Reward Boards Bundle and Find-A-Star Reward Boards Volume 2. (Each set includes the cover numbers.)
When I created these, I wanted to have enough VIPKid rewards to get through an entire month of classes without repeating. Of course, once I completed these bundles, I knew I had to share them with you!
Is this VIPKID reward System printable?
Absolutely! When you go to my TpT shop you will find all kinds of VIPKID resources. And the best part is that as soon as you purchase anything, you get immediate access to your download. That means that your VIPKID reward system printable is ready to go as soon as you are ready to print!
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What magnets do you use?
This is actually a question that I have been asked before, and I wanted to make sure that I told you about my magnets of choice. I use neodymium magnets. These are basically little, tiny magnets that are ridiculously strong.
I ordered mine almost 2 years ago from some random online company and they took several weeks to arrive. However, you can find the same type of magnets on Amazon. I put one magnet on the back of each number, and then I connect the reward sheet to the cookie sheet using one magnet in each of the four corners.
I place the “corner” magnets on top of the laminated reward sheet and they hold the sheet in place perfectly. Then, when I place each laminated number on the reward sheet, these hold up perfectly as well.
5 Quick Find-A-Star Tips and Tricks
Even though this is a really simple reward system to use, it still helps to have tips from someone who’s already used it successfully. So, I have five helpful hints to make implementing this reward system seamless.
- Allow your students to choose 2 numbers at a time. This will keep you from having to stop the lesson 12 different times to reveal every space. (Sometimes if I’m running short on time, I will even let them choose 3 numbers.)
- Use the same board for all of your students on a given day. I typically use gender-neutral boards to make transitioning through 6 back-to-back classes a whole lot easier. All I have to do is put the numbers over the pictures and I’m ready for my next class. 🙂
- When I use this with my Pre-VIP students, I pick the numbers for them since most of them are not familiar with all of the numbers yet. Then, as I choose the number, I say it out loud so they have the opportunity to hear the number spoken in English. Sometimes, I will even have them repeat the number if they are far enough along in their VIPKID journey.
- For durability purposes, laminate your boards and numbers. It takes a little bit of extra time, but I promise you will be so glad you did!
- Apply Mod Podge or a matte spray to lessen the glare from the laminated boards. I, personally, have used Mod Podge because it’s what I already had, but a matte spray will work just as well.
Remember, friend, not that long ago, I was a new VIPKID teacher, too. I wanted to have all of these amazing reward systems for my students, and I spent so much time and money, creating VIPKid rewards that were sometimes hits and other times flops.
But, if I’d known about the Find-A-Star reward system when I first began, I would’ve started with it and never looked back. It’s such a simple system that I am confident your students will love just as much as mine do!
If you want to read more about VIPKid, you can check out these posts.
- What is VIPKid?
- 15 VIPKid Words & Abbreviations You Need to Know
- The Ultimate VIPKid Props Guide
- 10 Cheap and Easy VIPKid Background Ideas
- How to Use TPR in Your VIPKid Classroom
- How to Organize the Chaos of VIPKid Props
- 5 Quick Ways to Look Like a VIPKid Teaching Pro
Just started a month ago and I finally tried FAS. HUGE hit and I just used different colored paper and put stars on the back of some. I was so happy with it. Thank you for these tips!
Hi, Karen! First of all, congratulations on becoming a VIPKID teacher and welcome! Secondly, I’m so happy to hear that you are loving the Find-A-Star rewards, too. They are so simple and yet they are ALWAYS a huge hit with the kiddos. I’m glad you were able to find some helpful tips. 🙂 Jennifer
Love this reward system. What kind of magnet do you use on the back of numbers. My magnets to not hold through the laminated star chart.
Thank you,
Annette
Hi, Annette!! I use neodymium magnets on the back of each number. (This link is for a set that is a little bigger magnet than I use, but if I reorder, this will be the size I use.) https://amzn.to/2NkiTfg. I use magnets in the corners of the reward sheet page to hold it on my cookie sheet as well. I hope that helps!! Jennifer 🙂
I’ve only been teaching for about two weeks with only a few classes. I’m going to give this reward a try! My question is, if you leave the picture page as a whole page, won’t the kids memorize where the stars are?
Great question, Heather! I actually thought the same thing when I first heard about Find-A-Star. That’s why when I created the huge bundles of boards, I purposely moved the location of the stars. By simply mixing up how you use them, your kids are never quite sure where the stars will show up!! Jennifer 🙂
I absolutely LOVE your Find a Star bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers! As a new VIP Kid teacher, I appreciate all of the time and effort that you saved me by creating this quality resource. Thank you!
Awww, Becky, thank you for your sweet words! It is always so encouraging to know that something I created is helping others. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts. I genuinely appreciate it! Jennifer 🙂
Hi! How do you explain this reward system to the student? Do you show them the stars on the board and then cover them all up? This is such a great idea I want to use it!
Great questions, Laura! I actually holed up my cookie sheet and say “Today when you do a good job (cue a thumbs up), you get a number. Pick a number.” If they don’t understand what I mean, I say “One?” and then reveal the image beneath the number. I typically try to say a number that reveals a star. That helps them to connect the stars and the numbers. I hope that explanation helps. If you have any more questions, please let me know and I will be happen to elaborate! Jennifer 🙂
My numbers are downloading without a color background…I’m disappointed with that but love the rest!
Hi, Joy!! I am so sorry to hear that. I sent you an email to help you figure out what to do!! Jennifer 🙂
I am having a similar issue. Only some of the numbers have a colored background. Thanks!
I’m sorry that you’re having problems with this, Christopher! If you will send me an email, I will be happy to send you another file. Jennifer 🙂
Hello,
I am a new VIPkid teacher and just purchased your find-a-star reward system. I have 4 bookings this weekend and never taught an actual student, so I’m a bit nervous and trying to prepare as much as possible. This might seem like a silly question but I’m just wondering, if a student picks a number that is NOT a star, let’s say it’s a dolphin, should I ask “is that a star?” and follow up with “what is this?” or say “you get a dolpin!!”?. What do you do or say when a student doesn’t find a star? I’m looking forward to using your awesome reward system. 🙂
Thanks so much for creating this resource!
Hi, Maya! First of all, congratulations on becoming a VIPKid teacher and for your upcoming bookings!! Your question is not silly at all, in fact, it’s actually a great question. I generally say something like, “Oooooh…dolphin. Pick again!” Then, I let them pick until they find a star. One of my regular Pre-VIP kids likes to find all of the random pics before I give him a virtual star. So, if he finds a star he says, “No, no, no!” Then I have to cover it back up until he finds everything but stars. 😉 So, as you get used to using this reward system, you can completely make it your own!! If you have any other questions, just let me know!! Jennifer 🙂
With our state closing down in an effort to stop the spread of covid 19, so we’ve all become instant online teachers! I still want to reward my students, though, for doing their work!
This system looks great, but I wanted to ask about the rewards themselves that you use. What rewards have you given your students online? Have you found some things that are more motivating than others? I’m trying to find ideas through Pinterest, but thought I’d reach out to you to see if you had things that have worked. I teach resource (special education), so I can’t exactly let them skip any assessments, as I have a feeling we’ll be lucky to get enough data to figure out IEP goals as it is, so I’d rather use other rewards. I’d appreciate any suggestions you could give me, thank you! 😊
Hi, Eileen! Do you meet with your students online once a day or multiple times a day? Also, do you meet as a group or one-on-one? I would like to get a little more info. so that I can give you the most specific help! Jennifer 🙂