Classroom
Economy
I have been thinking about classroom management in my future classroom for a long
time. I have observed many rules, routines, procedures, and consequences (both positive and
negative) that been effective and not so effective. After thinking about multiple systems I could
use in my future classroom, I have decided to try a Classroom Economy System. This system
blatantly presents all classroom expectations for students while addressing mathematical
standards by teaching students how to manage their money as they receive payment as
positive consequences and fines as negative consequences when they are not following the
rules of the classroom. My Classroom Economy will include weekly jobs where students can
earn compensation for their work, rewards they can purchase when they have earned money
by following the classroom rules and expectations, and fines that will affect their bank account
when they do not follow the expectations. This system is focused on developing respect and
responsibility amongst my students. In the following pages, I have listed classroom rules,
classroom jobs, classroom fines, and compensation, as well as rewards the students can
purchase.
The classroom rules presented below are as follows:
Rule #1: Arrive to school on time everyday.
Rule #2: Be respectful, responsible, and kind to yourself and to others.
Rule #3: Always do your best.
Rule #4: Be honest.
Rule #5: Raise your hand to speak or get out of your seat.
Rule #6: Follow directions the first time they are given.
Rule #7: Complete all assignments neatly and on time.
Rule #8: Listen to the teacher and other classmates when they are speaking.
Rule #9: Never judge or negatively criticize others.
Rule #10: Obey all school rules.
These classroom rules are important to me because I feel as though they will create a safe
learning environment that allows students to feel comfortable and willing to participate, as
students are not allowed to criticize others and make them feel inadequate for their answers
even if they provide answers that are not necessarily correct. When I was in grade school, I was
often afraid to raise my hand and participate for fear of being wrong and students thinking I
was unintelligent. Therefore, I always knew that I would be a stickler for classmate
appreciation and encouragement at all times in order to build each other up instead of tearing
each other down. It is my goal to teach my students how to provide constructive criticism when
needed to (i.e. during Writers Workshop when students will peer review each others paper)
and praise each other when appropriate. I also included a very strict policy regarding bullying
because I often feel that Zero Tolerance policies for bullying are not followed as strictly as they
could be. My students will understand that bullying is never okay and will have to face the
negative consequence of bullying others. If a student does not have the money to pay for the
fine, all money earned up until the fine is paid for will go towards paying it off. I also made sure
to include an equal number of compensation opportunities and fines so that there are an equal
number of positive and negative consequences to try and remove the negative connotation
regarding the word consequence.
As far as routines are concerned, I have thought about how I would like my students to
enter the classroom at the beginning of the day, how I would like to handle transitions, how
they will handle lining up to travel from place to place, and what the procedure will be at the
end of the day.
Beginning of the day:
Students will line up outside my door and I will tell them what materials they will need
for the day. I will shake each students hand as they enter the classroom and greet them with a
simple, yet encouraging Good Morning! that sets the tone for the day. They will enter the
classroom, retrieve their materials, and put their backpacks away. They will then make their
lunch choice, have a seat, and begin the Bellwork that will be placed on their desk before school
everyday.
Transitions:
I will be purchasing chime bells from Lakeshore. There is a circular disk that rotates
with chimes on it and as it rotates you hold a mallet over the chimes and it creates a very
soothing wind chime sound. At the end of the chimes ringing (usually about thirty seconds),
students will be in their seats and ready to start the next activity. I will also use GoNoodle and
Brain Breaks in between subjects to allow students to take a break from their work and
regroup before starting the next activity.
Lining up:
I will teach the class the line up song at the beginning of the school year. Once I have
called quiet groups to line up, we will sing the line up song and at the end of the song, the
students need to be quiet and ready to walk to the destination properly.
My hands upon my head I'll place,
Upon my shoulders, on my face,
At my waist and by my side,
Then behind me they will hide.
Then I'll raise them way up high,
And let my fingers fly, fly, fly,
Then clap, clap, clap them--
One - Two - Three!
Now see how quiet we can be.
End of the day:
Students will line up at the door depending on how they get home. Before they can leave,
they will high five me and tell me one thing they learned that day. This will allow what students
did for the day to be fresh in their mind as they go home, so that they can tell their parents what
they got out of school that day.
Ways to Earn Money
Arrive to school on time....................$1
Name on paper.$1
Actively participating in class discussion..$10
Turn in your homework neatly and on time..$10
Being on task..$10
Perfect Attendance for the week.....................................$10
Clean Desk at the end of the week....$15
Followed all class rules for the week..................................$15
Bring in a supply for the classroom.......................$15
Outstanding hallway behavior......................$20
Classroom Job................................$20
Meeting one of your weekly academic goals......................$50
Helping another student..$50
Going Above and Beyond...................Teachers Discretion
Caught being kind.Teachers Discretion
Fines
Bathroom....................................$1
No name on paper....$5
Arrive late to school......................$5
Homework is messy or not completed.................................$10
Unclean area at the end of the day..$10
Chewing gum..$10
Being off task$15
Not participating in class lessons or activities.$15
Disrupting the class.................................$20
Talking when the teacher is talking......................$20
Talking when a student is sharing an idea or presenting.................................$20
Arguing or being disrespectful......................$30
Lying........................................$40
Destruction of class property/materials....................$50
Criticism or judgment of other students...$100
Bullying of ANY form results in loss of ALL money and a conference with
the student, teacher, principal, and parent.
Rewards Students can Purchase
Bring your favorite book to read to the class...$20
Pick the class GoNoodle Activity..$25 per activity
Eat a snack at any given part of the day$30
Sit on an Exercise Ball for the Day.....$50
Lunch with the Teacher Pass..$50
Trip to the Treasure Box$75
Bring your favorite stuffed animal to class for a day....$100
Sit with a Friend for the Day$100
Sit at the teachers desk for the day...$100
Homework Pass...$200
