The Jolly Rancher Helps with Homework

As part of my job description, I have to do an hour of homework with my 25 kids. This means helping 25 different Kindergarten and 1st grade students with adding, subtracting, learning how to write, and learning how to read. 

It's madness!! There really isn't enough of me to help each and every child. I do try my best though. 

It also didn't help that students lack the motivation to complete homework on their own. I have to constantly remind students to get started, to work on their homework, to stop talking, etc.

I started to receive complaints from parents asking why their child was not completing their homework. I explained to them that I try my best to help each student but that I only have one hour to help 25 students. 

I had to do something to encourage my kids to do their homework on their own.

I thought of an incentive I could give them that ALL of them would love. I went to Stater Bros. straight after work one night and I looked at the candy section. I found a HUGE bag of Jolly Ranchers and I thought "Who doesn't like Jolly Ranchers"? 

The next day I took a sandwich bag full of Jolly Ranchers and during homework time, I explained that if they finished their homework, showed it to me, and I checked it, they would get a Jolly Rancher.

Nearly the whole class finished their homework!! Throughout the hour, student after student raised their hand and asked 'Miss Elizabeth, I finished my homework! Can I have a Jolly Rancher now??" If their homework was complete, I would congratulate them and give them their much awaited Jolly Rancher. If they needed to correct something, I would help them, check it again, and give them their Jolly Rancher.

 I ended up with one Jolly Rancher left in my baggie, which of course I ate to celebrate!

Since then, I have had an incredible improvement which has led to compliments from parents thanking me for their child finishing their homework. It's 'One less thing they have to worry about', as one parent said. 

The downfall of this is the guilty feeling I get from the possibility that I might be contributing to the cavities in their tiny mouths or to the child obesity/diabetes epidemic (though all my kids seem to be in good health). 

Overall, I feel pretty content with my method, that I am helping these little ones finish their homework, that they have something to look forward to after their 7 hour school day, and that I make them even a tiny bit happy with the help of Mr. Jolly Rancher. 

<3 Ely

Did you know the Jolly Rancher company was established in 1949?? Read the story here:  

Jolly Rancher History