Big Changes to Classroom Management in Second Half of the Year!

Now that we have completed our economics unit, and students understand the basics of scarcity, production, and income, we are going to be implementing a new economics-based classroom management system that I use with my students in 4th and 5th grade. In this system, students will earn classroom money not from their Dojo Points, but rather through a classroom "job", such as helping pass out supplies or helping keep the library books organized. Students will earn an "income" for their designated job and will need to use their income to pay for the privilege of eating lunch in the classroom (their rent!). They will also be able to save extra money and use it in class auctions just as before. Students will still earn BONUS money for high levels of Dojo Points and other positive contributions to the class. However, in better alignment with real-life consequences, students will receive FINES for negative behavior choices whenever they lose Dojo Points. The classroom economy has been a wonderful tool in placing greater responsibility on children while helping them to understand the direct correlation between work ethic, attitude, and success.