Today we talked about our classroom jobs. At the end of each day my students have a job to do, whether it's vacuuming the class, wiping down the boards, sharpening our pencils or emptying the garbage cans, they're all busy little bees.
After we initially discussed our jobs, we wrote a contract and I had them all sign it.
They are so direct and to the point- "I will do my job even when I don't want to." Haha!
After we assigned our weekly jobs:
We moved on to my classroom "money" program. In order to increase money skills, budgeting and general classroom management (as well as ticking off social studies goals for learning) I have created "classroom money". I "pay" my class with stamped coins, they accumulate money throughout the week on a large poster board and add it up on their bank sheet on Fridays. My students can earn money through positive behaviours- having their homework completed, have a clean desk, having a parent sign their homework book every night, winning at a classroom game etc. However, they can also be fined money- leaving their clothing on the field after gym (they have to "pay" me to get it back), wearing their outside shoes on the carpet, leaving their hook messy. I'm really bad at remembering to fine them so I keep it simple. And, of course, they can spend their money on rewards- renting a class sled or skipping rope, playing games, eating lunch with a friend (rather than with their assigned seatmates), using my camera to take pictures and the ultimate- being the teacher for 30min! All payment range from 50cents to $2 and rewards are in the same area... except the coveted being the teacher- that's $30! It takes diligence and perseverance to save that much! Last year I had 6 students make it and they loved being able to decide what games we played during gym (as well as using the whistle and making the teams!). The kids love the system and it helps me reward students and keep on top of their homework! Plus... it has other bonuses!
I've never seen our coatroom so clean! :D
I love this job :)
