Elementary School Classroom Jobs
Students Get 'Paid' for Doing Jobs in the Classroom
Twist on the standard way of assigning classroom jobs to students.
A well functioning classroom requires students and the teacher to work together as a team. If the teacher does not assign classroom jobs, the teacher will have extra duties and limit her time for other teaching duties. But "paying" students to do these jobs? That's an innovative way to approach this age-old issue.
Classroom jobs will vary for primary, junior, and intermediate students.
The more common classroom chores are attendance, blackboards, distributors, sweepers, line leaders and messengers. Students participating in chores learn responsibility and how it takes more than one to run an efficient classroom.
Assigning Classroom Jobs
Write small ads about each classroom jobs and its duties. Even better, give students the opportunity in small groups to write an ad for a classroom job. After all job ads are written place them on a job board in the classroom or copy them and distribute to all students.
Students must apply for the job and give reasons why they are the best person for the job. As well, they will have a formal interview with the teacher to discuss the job and its responsibilities. The teacher will note their top 3-5 favourite classroom positions and their bottom 2 positions.
Teacher will assign duties on a bi-weekly or monthly basis to ensure all students are given an opportunity to do each classroom chore. Students must be given time to do each chore to understand what is expected of them in completing the task.
Payment for Classroom Jobs
Students are often more than willing to assist the teacher in classroom duties for a variety of reasons. However, often they are not rewarded financially for their effort. Pay students with classroom "money" that can be used towards special privileges in the classroom.
Each duty can be worth the same fee, however for older students you may wish to place a wage for each job. Students stacking chairs may make a premium because of the physical effort. Also, students may receive premium pay for jobs that nobody wants in the class. Money is a big motivator in our world; it will also work in the classroom.
Bonus and Rewards
At the end of the students work with a specific job, decide if they deserve a bonus. A bonus is earned if the student does an exemplary job. Teacher should identify an average and above average job for each classroom chore.
As well, students may earn rewards if they go beyond their duty. Teacher may have a contest with students, on who did the best job on a classroom chore. The teacher may decide to have like jobs compete.
Students Earnings
Teacher with students decide on privileges for the classroom. Each privilege has a price tag that is fair. Divide students into groups, to decide on the price for each privilege. Students are able to use their earnings to buy a privilege.
Record Keeping
Students will earn money and there might be fear of funds being stolen or lost. Open a bank in the classroom. Designate two students to be the banker to be responsible for collecting and withdrawing funds for students.
Students will open a bank account and give their earned money to the banker. The banker will give the money to the teacher. Student bankers will subtract the cost of a privilege and issue them a token rather than the cash. Students must render the token to the teacher before they can use the privilege.
