A Classroom Economy Can Have Classroom Jobs
Classroom Jobs are an integral part of the classroom economy! Why do all the work yourself when students want to help in a classroom? Implementing classroom jobs will help students become responsible and take ownership of the classroom. Find tasks in your classroom that you already do that students can do. Or maybe there is something that you know you can’t do because of time; however, a student could do it to make the class run more efficiently. If I decide to have a student job for something important like taking attendance or lunch count, double-check their work. I like to create as many classroom jobs as I have students. Sometimes this is not possible and then I create a “substitute” or “week off” job.
How to Use Classroom Jobs in a Classroom Economy
As an idea, I set the pay per day at $5 and paydays are on Fridays. Just like the behavior reward pay, I prefer to have the job enforcers put the pay in students’ mailboxes. But if you prefer, you can have them put them on desks.
I rotate classroom jobs weekly. But this can be changed bimonthly or whatever works for your class. Additionally, you can have students fill out a job application weekly or monthly to have an idea of what students are interested in. Classroom jobs are a win-win for your classroom management system!
In order to establish an effective classroom economy, it is essential to assign specific classroom jobs to students. These jobs not only help in maintaining a structured environment but also teach students valuable skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and time management. By assigning classroom jobs, students feel a sense of ownership and contribution towards the smooth functioning of the classroom. Some common jobs include line leader, door holders, supply manager, library helper, and calendar helper.
By assigning these specific roles to students, teachers can foster a cooperative atmosphere where everyone has a role to play. To have students actively take care of the classroom is a way that you can show students you respect them. These roles can be rotated among students on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure equal opportunities for everyone.
Ways to Pay your Students for Classroom Jobs
There are many options to “pay” your students. For example, I like to have the “bankers” put the behavior reward pay in students’ mailboxes. But if you prefer, you can put them on desks. A bonus for using the mailbox is that it will encourage students to check their mailbox without having to remind them! A drawback to putting them in the mailbox is that it could be more likely for a student to take the classroom money without anyone seeing or saying they didn’t get the classroom cash. I use the “police” as a student’s job to watch everyone in the class. There are so many ways to have good behavior in the classroom in a Classroom Economy System!
Classroom jobs play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a successful classroom economy. Classroom jobs also teach valuable life skills, such as time management and communication, while instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment in students. Overall, incorporating jobs into your classroom economy not only benefits the overall classroom dynamic but also equips students with essential skills for their future success. There are also other class reward system ideas to help your students succeed in a classroom economy system.
Implementing classroom jobs fosters a sense of community and empowers students to take an active role in their learning environment. Try my Classroom Job Card Charts or Superhero Class Job Card Charts for your classroom management plan. Discover the power of a student job chart to help with classroom management and build a sense of community.