OK, I tried for four days.  I set up stations in my room so the students could use all the technology stuff I have collected.  There are tons of wonderful things to do.  I have computer ed games, GeoSafari, GeoGlobe, Set (a card game), talking pens, and lots more.  I worked out a schedule so each of the 35 students could have a half hour each day on a rotating basis to work on the activities.  However, the rule was, if you miss a lesson, you were responsible for making it up.  Come and ask me.

On Day 4:  I discovered that students are not only NOT making the lessons up, they are not even doing their other work.  They are watching the students in back of the classroom do the activities and talking.  They  have basically quit.  Soooo, I took the activity schedule away from them.  I will have to use it as a reward system instead.  I never can get that reward part to work.  I always forget.  I don't know what to do.  Any suggestions out there?

I tried to make it a reward before the fact and they took advantage of me.  Right now, they are losing lunch time because they will not stop talking.  They can sit the entire time until they get quiet.  I don't care.  I lose my lunch time all the time anyway when they want to come in and "catch up".  If they had done it during class time it would be done.