As a language arts teacher, my primary focus is, of course, to teach the 6th grade standards to my students and to assess their proficiency with them. However, the role of any educator is much broader. I also want my students to grow personally, and pragmatically. It’s important that I endeavor to help them become strong of character, and to be able to function in society as adults. With these goals in mind, I have instituted a student account program in my classroom this year.
This program will address character education in that it will help students understand the rewards of being responsible, of being caring of others, of volunteering, and of going beyond simply what is expected of one.
It will also address career education in that it will give students an understanding of how to earn a paycheck, what will be expected in paying one’s way in life, and job performance.
It is a cross-curricular program in that it will utilize math skills. It also teaches life skills.
Here’s how our student account program works:
Each week, students will “earn” a “paycheck.” It will consist of two parts – the paystub, and the actual paycheck.
Each student will have an account bag. Once the paycheck is cashed, the student will put the money in his/her bag, which will remain in the classroom. During the course of the week, the student may use the money to purchase privileges, etc. in the classroom.
On the back of this sheet are descriptions of the ways students can earn money and spend money.
Beginning the second grading period, students will also be able to earn quarterly report card bonuses.
Students will have a savings account, and will be required to deposit some of their paychecks into savings. How much the student chooses to deposit is an individual choice. At the end of each quarter, every student who has saved a specified amount during the grading period, and who wants to, may “pay” for admittance to a party after school which I will provide.
(PLEASE NOTE: The money used in this program is not real, and cannot be taken outside of the classroom. Student account bags will remain in the student wall pockets when students finish with language arts class each day.)
I’m very excited about this program, and its potential for helping students to learn and grow!
This program will address character education in that it will help students understand the rewards of being responsible, of being caring of others, of volunteering, and of going beyond simply what is expected of one.
It will also address career education in that it will give students an understanding of how to earn a paycheck, what will be expected in paying one’s way in life, and job performance.
It is a cross-curricular program in that it will utilize math skills. It also teaches life skills.
Here’s how our student account program works:
Each week, students will “earn” a “paycheck.” It will consist of two parts – the paystub, and the actual paycheck.
- The paystub is divided into two sections, earnings and deductions. Students will earn pay based on such things as attendance, timely completion of assignments, volunteering/participating in class, acts of kindness, etc. Deductions will be subtracted from their earnings for taxes, rent, and utilities. There is also a section for sick leave use. Each student begins the year with a bank of ten sick days (one per month). If a student is absent, s/he can choose to use a sick day in order to still get “paid” for the day s/he was absent. Students must choose to use their sick days judiciously, as there are only ten available for the entire year.
- The actual paycheck will reflect the student’s “take home” pay for the week. Once s/he detaches and endorses the check, it can be cashed.
Each student will have an account bag. Once the paycheck is cashed, the student will put the money in his/her bag, which will remain in the classroom. During the course of the week, the student may use the money to purchase privileges, etc. in the classroom.
On the back of this sheet are descriptions of the ways students can earn money and spend money.
Beginning the second grading period, students will also be able to earn quarterly report card bonuses.
Students will have a savings account, and will be required to deposit some of their paychecks into savings. How much the student chooses to deposit is an individual choice. At the end of each quarter, every student who has saved a specified amount during the grading period, and who wants to, may “pay” for admittance to a party after school which I will provide.
(PLEASE NOTE: The money used in this program is not real, and cannot be taken outside of the classroom. Student account bags will remain in the student wall pockets when students finish with language arts class each day.)
I’m very excited about this program, and its potential for helping students to learn and grow!
Ways to earn money:
Wages $3.00/day present for class Assignments completed and turned in on time .50/day Volunteer an answer/participate in class .25/incident Weekly blog completed .50 No pass pins used during week $1 Act of kindness .25/act Compliment someone Lend supplies to someone Help someone in some way Use manners Show your team/group/etc support I Can slip compliment Other Extra supplies donated to classroom .50/item Tissues Wet wipes Pencils (package) Coloring supplies (package) Glue Scissors Other Tidy room .50/chore Pick up stuff from floor Tidy bookshelf Clean tables Organize computer cart Sweep Wash chalk board Tidy art supplies Other Run errand for teacher .50 SSR .50/day Flame earned $5 Birthday Bonus $10 Quarterly bonus: No assignment alerts during the grading period $10 Interim/Report card grades (for LA) A: $10 B: $5 C: $2 Improvement since last interim or report card: Half grade: $1 Letter grade: $5 More than one letter grade: $10 We may think of other ways to make money as we go! :) |
Expenses/Costs:
Automatically deducted from pay: Rent $7.50/week Utilities: $2.50/week Taxes: 10% of total earned Fines: Tardy to class $1 Disrespect $3/incident Off task (after warning) $4 No name on paper $1 Materials replacement $5 Responsibility sheet $10 "Shopping": Borrow SSR book $2 (no refunds) Borrow other supplies $1 (.50 refund when returned) Make a trip to locker during class $1 Leave during class for RR/drink $1 WOTD ticket .50 Trip to reward box $2 Table ticket $10 We may discover other ways to spend money. Sick day: Begin the year with 10 sick days Can use a sick day to still get paid for a day you’re not here End of quarter reward: specified amount saved in savings account each quarter Quarter 1: pizza party $75 |