To promote these learning skills and help cultivate a student centred classroom we decided to create a Classroom Economy. The idea drew upon incorporating real world problems that are tangible and familiar to students. We started with looking at each students existing responsibilities in the classroom -do their homework, show up prepared, keep desk clean, participate, etc. Then we looked at releasing some of the responsibilities of the teacher, custodian, etc. Students kept their original student responsibilities, but also took more ownership in the class by acquiring a job -homework police, shoe tidier, board cleaner, end of day sweeper, banker and even a classroom Prime Minister & Vice Prime Minister. Most jobs started with the same pay with exception of a few which were democratically voted in and offered a premium for the added responsibility. All students knew they would earn a weekly salary, but had to manage their expenses carefully -Savings account, rental of desk & chair, renting any forgotten materials (pencil, calculator, protractor, etc). After all expenses, the students were then able to save or spend their take money at a classroom store full of small candies.
The last item students had to contend with was fines if they were not responsible and fulfilling their duties. Counter to that they could also receive a bonus or raise if they were consistently performing their jobs well.
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Update:
Many great discussions and heated debates have been occurring due to the classroom economy project. We have had a fascinating formal debate about the results of missing a weeks work due to illness-Should they still be payed or not? Also, during a philosophy circle grade 5 & 6 students discussed notions of equal pay for all jobs or pay based on effort & responsibility. They also pondered if soccer players and pro athletes should be payed the amounts they are. Great riveting class discussions, stay tuned for the big surprise to come in the class economy at the end of the year!!!
