A classroom full of 6 and 7-year-olds is bound to have its shining moments and not-so-shining moments.  When my class shows exemplary manners and/or when an adult or teacher compliments my class, they receive a point.  20 points equals Lightbulb Lab!  Over several weeks, the children bring in empty oatmeal containers, toilet tissue rolls, yarn, buttons, and various other "project worthy" items for the next Lightbulb Lab.  There is 100% buy-in on the reward of Lightbulb Lab...  they are ALL excited to earn it.  I can't take credit for this great idea; although, I would've given my right arm to have been able to do this in elementary school.  The idea came from one of my favorite Kevin Henkes's books: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. In this wonderful children's book, Lilly (a mouse) is allowed to go to the back of the classroom to the "Lightbulb Lab" when she's finished with her work.  Although our Lightbulb Lab operates a little differently, the concept is the same.  During Lightbulb Lab, the children are allowed and encouraged to stretch their imaginations and create anything they want.  Cardboard, glue, string, buttons, paper sacks, straws, and popsicle sticks become puppets, robots, ships, towers, houses, calendars, and jewelry boxes.  
       This "reward" time not only promotes creativity but also fine motor skills, cutting and measuring skills, teamwork, sharing, bartering, and trial and error.  The children realize they have ownership over whether or not they earn the points and also have ownership over their creations.  Currently, my class is at 15 points (which we display in 2 ten-frames on the board to promote math skills).  Not only are the children excited to get their 5 remaining points, but it's one of my favorite parts of teaching: peeking inside the creative minds of the children in my class.