Classroom Economy 101

I'm sure you've heard of it. Paying students "classroom money" to do their jobs, or as a rewards system. And I'm sure you've also heard of how much work it can be. I'm here to tell you that its not only manageable, but a useful classroom management tool for student behaviours and financial literacy.

How Does It Work?

The idea is simple: students get paid a set amount of money for completing their classroom jobs. Each job is worth a different amount of money (in my class, this ranges from $5 to $20 biweekly). The tougher jobs are worth more money, and the easier jobs are worth less.

Students apply for the job they'd like, making points about why they're the perfect fit for the job.If they're responsible enough to handle it, they earn the position for the month. Now, let it be said, I have moved students to different positions if they can't handle the responsibility.

For example, the toughest job I have in my classroom is the "Floor Monitor." These students need to sweep the floors at the end of the day, and pick up anything left on the floor by the other students. So this job earns $20 biweekly, since its a tough one.

As students get paid money throughout the year, they can choose to save or spend it. I bring in the "store" every 2-3 months. The store has items available for purchase - like books, pencils, games, stickers, homework coupons, "sit with a friend passes" and more.

Students can earn money in various different ways as well; being kind, helping out, a clean workspace, doing well at their jobs, etc. Students can also receive fines for leaving a messy work station, or not completing their job for the day.

The only stipulation is that students must pay 'rent' once per month, which is $5. This covers their use of textbooks, chrome books, desks, etc. Because of the need to pay rent, students learn how to budget their money and ensure they've saved enough to pay it.

How Much Work is it Really?

The toughest part of classroom economy is the setup. Teaching students how to do their jobs properly does take time, and so does printing and designing the classroom cash.

Other than that, I hire a banker who takes care of handing out pay checks, and rent. The banker also gives change when needed, or fines if necessary. I also hire the teacher assistant, who assists with the job applications and store setup.

Students do a lot of the work and really bring the magic to life with their jobs and passion for the system. Kids truly do LOVE the idea behind it, and the store is the cherry on the top.

How Do I Get Started?

The first step is the setup. Explain how it works, and explain what the rewards will look like in your classroom. You don't need to bring in prizes or books and spend your money on them - class coupons work just as well.

Then, I give each student a "float" of 7 dollars, so they can get started and practice holding on to their money, and keeping it safe.

Next, you need to set strict expectations and examples for how jobs are completed. I would recommend a checklist for each job, so students can review what is expected when they complete the job.

Assigning the jobs is the third step. I personally like to use a Google Form for students to apply, but I've also used paper applications. Explain that if they write about their skills that apply to the job, they are more likely to be put in that position. I tally up the results and try to put students where they ask to be (or at least close). Have your Teacher Assistant help with this. I post the postings on our Classroom Jobs wall, so they are easy to see and keep track of.

I typically have students keep the same job for a month so its less swapping around.

Tips + Tricks

I have a very financially literate bunch this year. I was actually asked "Why aren't we able to put our money into a savings account to earn interest?" this came from the mouth of an 11 year old.

So naturally, I put in a "savings account" system where students could earn interest for keeping their money saved in a safe place. It was really popular, and kids started investing their money right away. I would definitely recommend putting something similar in place - its a great option for kids who lose their belongings often and teaches them about investments.

I would also recommend a "training day or two," when students switch jobs. I have them complete their old job while they train the incoming employee on how to do their new job properly.

Classroom economy does require some setup. It isn't a one size fits all approach to classroom management. But it is a really useful tool for managing your classroom, and teaching kids about finances - two things which are really important when teaching these days.

(you can find all of my classroom economy tools including cash, job posters, checklists, coupons and more here!)

The VIP Desk - The Best Positive Classroom Management Tool EVER!

I love having a VIP desk in my classroom. It's a really simple tool to bring to your class that encourages positive behaviour traits (like leadership, or kindness), while rewarding students for being fabulous AND keeping their families in the loop! Talk about a win win win! Let's chat about it.

What is it?

The VIP desk is quite simply, a desk. But not just any desk. It's a fancy desk.

I typically try to find an old teachers desk (this one was the best - it is a whiteboard desk which was so helpful to have), and a comfy chair. If you have any extra 'teachers' desks and chairs kicking around in your school, GRAB THEM. I've also used standing desks, and regular old student desks with a 'fancy' chair. Use what works for you, and what you have available.

Who gets to sit in it?

Good question. Anyone and everyone! I typically reserve mine for kindness or above and beyond behaviour. If kids are caught being kind, they get to be the VIP for the day.

I also allow students to nominate one another with nomination forms if they catch someone being kind. Does this mean they nominate their friends? Yes. But regardless, it's a demonstration of kindness and its being rewarded and that's the important thing.

A question I'm asked regularly about the desk is whether I let every student sit in the desk. NOPE. I don't just let that every single student sit there because its their turn. It has to be a reward, and some kids will sit in it 10 times before one kid gets a shot - that's just how it goes! Now, I will say that I do try to be extra on top of paying attention to those kids who I know haven't sat in it yet (or don't get to often!) so I can try to get them in, but its definitely not a guarantee.

So - it's just a desk?

Yes, it is just a desk.

What makes it special are the supplies. The whole idea of the desk is to be a privilege that select few students get to use for the day - so I stock it FULL of the good supplies. Smelly markers, gel pens, whiteboard markers, you name it and its there. I usually spend about $40 at the dollar store each fall and most of the supplies last throughout the year. The key to this is getting the cool supplies. All kids have pencils. But do all kids have bendy pencils?

The kids LOVE being the VIP. I usually let them choose a friend to sit with them and they are constantly nominating each other and asking to be VIP. Even in middle school, where it's lame to be kind to each other.

Do they get any other prizes?

Yes they do!

I also have my VIP choose a prize from my wicked cool prize bin (filled with tabletop games, fidget toys, stickers, and more! All from the Dollar Store). This is a BIG hit, and one of the best reasons to be the VIP. I throw in some full sized chocolate bars once in a while and I'm the bees knees.

I also send home VIP mail to their parents. It's a quick letter, notifying their parents of their awesome work, and why they were nominated to be our VIP. It's a quick "you're awesome!" reminder that keeps families engaged, and gives kids something to be proud to bring home.

How do I start?

This is the easy part! Just find a desk. That's really it. The cool supplies and prizes are an added bonus, but even just a desk where they can sit with a friend that has some sticky notes and a whiteboard is exciting! I've also designed lanyards that students can wear around the school - I just made the template, printed it out and stuck it into an ID badge holder on the end of a lanyard!

If you need an idea to help you get started, you can check out my VIP Desk Starter kit, linked here. It's full of nomination forms, parent mail templates, and decor for your very own VIP desk! Let's encourage these kids to be kind and love one another.

You're killin' it, teach.

The Top Reasons Why I Use Individual Student Reference Pages for Math

Student reference materials are a really important part of a classroom. And you probably already have them all over your classroom - posters, anchor charts and bulletin boards. But what if I told you students could have access to reference materials on their desks?

I've been using reference materials for ages - all over my classroom. But this year I switched it up, and I designed student reference sheets (which are essentially like min anchor charts packaged with important information) that I laminated and put on their desks. Duh! Why didn't I think of this earlier? Students have all the knowledge they need to help them through assignments, tests and quizzes right at their fingertips!

Here's why I'll never go back.

Accessibility

Have you ever made a super informative anchor chart with your class, and then 10 minutes after you hung it up, you heard a kid in the back say "well I don't remember how to tell time!" Same. We've all been there.

So, I designed my student referent pages to be front and centre - on their desks. No more moving around, trying to figure out where the chart is, or which poster you're referencing. Plus, they sit on the kids desks all day, so they begin to become really familiar with everything on it (because they like to stare off into space anyway!)

Helping students 1-on-1 is easy, because I don't need to carry around reference sheets with me (and different ones for different students!) but I found I could really teach my students to access the material in front of them quickly and efficiently. Once you teach them how to use and access it, they become more independent!

Ease to Design

I design a lot of my own resources. A LOT. I sometimes feel like I find great resources online that are just ever so slightly off from how I need them to be. The solution? I design my own!

With these student referent charts, you're able to put all the important information on one small space, and print and go. It took me about an hour and a half to design mine (but that's replacing multiple anchor charts and hours designing those!). All I did to create my own was pull up PowerPoint, and insert shapes / text as I saw fit. Some of the shapes did get a little small, but I found once I made it once it was super simple to duplicate and make a second, or third.

They're super easy to design, and if you're more savvy with a pen and paper, that's an option too! Write out the important things kids need to reference, and photocopy, cut and laminate.

Inclusivity

The best part about individualized reference sheets is individualized reference material! I have some students who are working on different skills than others. The problem is this - my regular classroom posters and anchor charts weren't always accessible to all of my learners. They were great for most kids, but not all kids, and that just wasn't it.

With personalized referents comes personalized skills. If I have most of my students working on multiplication, but a few still mastering addition, I can design referent pages that reflect that on their sheets, and add referents that help them master the skill they're working on.

Everyone deserves to have materials that help meet them where they're at. Materials that help them become successful. Materials they can actually use.

ALLLL the Information!

I can fit WAY more information on to these small desk charts than I could on my walls. I don't know about you, but we have some rules dictating how much of our classroom walls can be filled with posters, or combustible materials (I know. If you fill your walls with 22% combustible materials, they are surely much more likely to catch on fire than if you only fill 15%.)

Alas, I needed small designs that I could fit a lot of information on. I found it was pretty easy to add a number line (which, although small, demonstrates positive and negative numbers well) and a place value chart to the top. Some items took up a little more space, but overall I was able to add typically 6-10 items for students to reference on each card.

I think student reference cards are the way of the future, people. Let's continue putting referent materials on the walls, and on the board, but let's also encourage our students to access their individualized supports - quickly and effectively.

To the teachers - you've got this. You CAN design your own student referent charts. (Or find reality available material to help guide you where needed. My premade charts are linked here!) And though it may take some time, you're supporting kiddos in ways you didn't even know possible.