1. PRESENTED FOR NASHVILLE TEACHING FELLOWS BY MEREDITH HAUGNER, M.ED. 4 TH GRADE TEACHER GLENDALE SPANISH IMMERSION ELEMENTARY Developing a Classroom Economy 101

2. What is a Classroom Economy? Fun, interactive learning experience Teaches real world concepts in the classroom Can be (part of) a behavior management system  Offers rewards and consequences  May be more motivating than pulling sticks, flipping a card, etc.  Typically with middle elementary (3 rd -5 th ) but applicable for any grade

3. What’s Involved? The Basics: Earn money  Class jobs  Positive behavior  Special tasks Spend money  Class store  Privileges: HW pass, tardy excuse, etc.  Pay rent or other “bills” or fines

4. A Typical Week of Classroom Economy Monday  Total last week’s earnings + add in new credit/debit log  Students begin new jobs for the week (assigned by teacher) Each day (M-F)  Receive credits / debits  Complete job tasks Friday (schedule rotates)  Students either get PAID + pay RENT or go to STORE  Receive weekly salary from teacher

5. How Do I Get Started? Plan carefully first! Set expectations for learning and what you want to accomplish with the system  Behavior focus?  Extra work motivator?  Know your limits! Have students help you decide on credits/debits Clearly communicate & teach system to students  Allow for a grace period as they’re learning! Make changes if needed

6. What Supplies Do I Need? Money! Checks or Bank Account items  Ex: Deposit + Withdrawal slips Student “wallets”  Plastic envelopes Record of student earnings/loses  Individual credit/debit log notebooks  Class poster “Bank”  Index card boxes to hold bills

7. What Supplies Do I Need? Class jobs board  Display students’ names with job  Job descriptions available Store  Display method  Small, inexpensive items ($ Tree, donations, handmade) Fines, tickets (Ex: rent, messy desk)  Printable on paper, available to student workers

8. In Summary… GOOD  Completely customizable  Motivating  Fun AND useful in the real world BAD  Can be time consuming  Not free! UGLY  Inconsistency is a killer  More students = more work **Both issues can be managed with careful planning

9. Want to learn MORE? Visit my website that compiles resources with lots of details to consider when planning http://classroomeconomy.wordpress.com *Note: No WWW after the http://