I, too, struggled with which jobs to include on my board during my first year of teaching, and often I would think of jobs to add throughout the year. A few general suggestions: 1. ask other teachers in your school, because many of your jobs will be specific to the school routines that exist already (i.e. table washers in cafeteria, etc.) 2. make the kids do as much as possible to save yourself some work! 3. think about keeping the kids busy with jobs at arrival and dismissal so they have a purpose during these potentially rowdy times of the school day!
I generally include some or all of the following jobs: lunch counter, homework checker, messenger, paper filers (for passing out papers), paper collectors, board cleaners, coatroom cop (for monitoring coatroom behavior).
I have jobs for each child. As with another writer, I have the jobs posted on a wide coorful sheet with two columns. Each job is written on a manila strip. There are some jobs that have two strips at different areas of the list so a child doesn't do it two weeks in a row (paper passers, librarians...) The children's names are each on a clothespin. These jobs are changed once a week by rotating the clothespins clockwise. This takes a minute on Friday afternoon to be ready for Monday. On Monday, I read the jobs off, A few that I have that have not been mentioned are Pledge, Caboose (last in line and gets to shut the lights off whenever we leave the room),Postmasters (put all returned papers and announcements/fliers in student mailboxes,pet feeders,ambassador ( greets any visitors who com...
Here are some ideas for classroom jobs: Math Secretary Reading and Language Secretary Science Secretary Spelling Secretary Social Studies Secretary Weekly Assignments Page Secretary Pencil Sharpeners Monitor Playground Equipment Monitor Lunch Count Aide Errand Aide Clean-Up Aide Line Monitor Recycling Monitor Facts Test Aide Calendar Aide Backpack Aide Extra Time Center Aide Desk Checker Special Jobs Plants Monitor Flag Salute Aide Lottery Coupon Aide Correcting Aide 1 Correcting Aide 2 Lunch Tub Aide 1 Lunch Tub Aide 2 Sink Monitor Paper Supplies Monitor Papers Home Aide Return Papers Aide Class Aide (teacher’s assistant) Monday Folders Aide Progress Folders Aide Job Checker & Sub Lib...
I am doing a whole "Classroom Government" thing (I did it in 5th and adapted it to 3rd). It is based on the order of Presidential Succession. I find that the jobs I give the kids are things I really need done in my class. They do the jobs each day so that I do not need to remember to do some of the stuff (like distribute the drill tests and check up on the library book check out) I have such a bad memory when it comes to that stuff!!! So here is my list. Hope it helps you some!!
President Office monitor, Flag Salute leader, Cafeteria monitor, Line leader.
Vice President Office monitor, President fill-in, Cafeteria monitor, pass out Uniform tickets
Speaker of the House Unlocks and holds door when class is entering/leaving, Turns off/on all lights, “All Clear” ...
Hands: "Lend a Hand" "Look Who's Lending a Hand" "Helping Hands Work Together"
OR if you were looking for a new theme idea, maybe one of these will interest you...
FISH: Put each students name on a fish and rotate the fish to different shells with the jobs labelled on them. Call it "A Sea of Helpers"
JUNGLE: Put up green leaves with the job names and give every student a small jungle animal (monkey, frog, tiger) "Jungle Jobs"
BEEHIVE: Put up a clothespin for each job and give each student their own bee. Rotate the bees around the hive. "Worker Bees!"
FOOTPRINTS: Give each student a shoe cutout to decorate or a blank outline of a footprint, put names on them. Rotate feet around clothespins with jobs on them. "Put your best foot forward and help out!"
I try to keep mine somewhat limited as it's easier than trying to explain and keep track of all the jobs and who has which job each day or week.
I rotate my class jobs each day so usually each week most students have 1-2 turns doing a job. I find they do not get as bored this way and they also learn how to do the jobs more efficiently.
I keep the system simple though.
I look at my class numbers first and try to come up with as equal of groups as possible.
I use a sentence strip chart for my display. I put the five or six jobs on one side and then on cards I have the students names. I divide them up into as equal of groups as possible. I sometimes have 3 groups, sometimes 4 groups.
Each day I take one group of names and put them in order down the list of jobs. To change t...
The great part of this job system is that it takes one minute to announce the new jobs with no confusion. I have enough jobs so that each child gets one or shares a job. The first 2 weeks of school I model what I am doing telling the children that they soon will be doing this job. I actually can't wait until the jobs start, because it really saves me a lot of work. Of course, it also gives the kids a sense of ownership and responsibility in their classroom. I use an 81/2 x 14" posterboard divided in half with 9 jobs on each side. I write each child's name on both sides of a clothespin. I clip each pin to each job. At the end of week or sometimes every 2 weeks (depending on the class), I simply rotate the clips by removing the bottom right clothespin and then moving the other pins do...
I also teach 4th grade and having assigned classroom jobs saves me lots of time and gives the students a feeling of responsibility and being part of the classroom community. I always have 32 to 34 students and change jobs weekly to make sure everyone gets a chance to do everything. I there is an absence, the previous monitor handles the job. I have a wall chart with the list of jobs which is laminated. That way I can easily erase the name/number each week (my students have assigned numbers) Here is a list of what I use: T.A. (Teacher's assistant - basically my errand for the week!) Secretary - passes out and collects papers Census Taker - Takes roll on the computer Food Service - Lunch count Neatniks (2)- Keeps the backpack area
My third graders must apply for classroom jobs by filling out a job application. Applications are available at the end of each month. Students who are offered jobs are invited to one or two worker's lunch sessions in the classroom as payment for their hard work.I like to provide them with a fun recess and/or a fun snack. They love this!
The application includes a fill in the blank section: name, address, city, state, phone #, birthdate, etc.(This is a great review for 3rd graders---You'll be surprised how many still don't know this information).
It also includes a short answer section:
Which job are you applying for?
Why do you want this job? What have you done in the past that will help you with this job? (qualifications)
I am moving from second to first this year and have been thinking a lot about classroom jobs. In the past I have always had one job for every child to ensure everyone has a chance to do each job. I am re-thinking this though, and I think I am going to have 10-15 jobs (some jobs need two people), but put some "vacation" spots on my chart. Then I won't have to "track" their jobs.
Anyway, here are some jobs I am thinking of having: Lunch count: (2 people) counts lunches Attendance: makes sure everyone signs in (I am thinking of doing a pocket chart for this) Messenger/Teacher helper: haven't decided what to call this Librarian: straightens the library at the end of the day Line Leader: leads the line Caboose: turns off lights, closes the door Inspector: this perso...
