Kids love acting like adults. If you sell it to them in that sense, even at the middle school or high school levels, they will buy it and be on board.

As with any new concept, you need to stick to your guns and give it some time to develop. Ignore the criticisms and do what you know is right. In the end, the plan will prevail.

I will avoid discussing the blatantly obvious similarities to President Bush’s course of actions overseas, the media’s whiny complaints, and the successes we are beginning to see despite their criticisms.

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I know a lot of people don’t believe in motivating students with extra credit. At my school, the principal emphasizes giving our students “extra work opportunities.” I think that contributing to the classroom is a social studies skill—enhancing and promoting citizenship skills. I really do believe that students should be intrinsically motivated to work in the classroom, but I am considering it an “extra” work opportunity. I would add it to their participation grade, but I don’t have enough jobs for every student in the class—that is why I have it laid out the way I do. The 6 points can really make a difference at the end of a term. A math teacher did a calculation and 6 points is what she came up with as being fair & could take a student from one letter grade to the next, without giving them too much. She’s been doing it for 20 yrs and it works, so I think it will work for me.

I plan for students to switch jobs every term; no one will be able to hold the same job more than 1 term. Those who have not had a job will have first priority and pick of jobs—volunteers first.
Tamara, I agree that the Sanitation Commissioner is worth more points. However, they don’t have to pick up the trash themselves. They should get the students to do it and pass around a bucket, so students could place their trash in.

David, I know you have your style and it works for you, but I got exhausted and felt like I was dealing with too many interruptions and sometimes classroom management junk would take up a good portion of the class . . . so this my way of handling.

Thanks, again for going and participating in this discussion.

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I love your job descriptions and I would love to steal them, I mean borrow them, if that is okay with you. However, I don’t give any class money or currency, just some good, old-fashion Mama Monkey Love. I teach the kids that being part of our community is doing things to help others just for the pure joy of helping others. I guess I’m just too lazy to keep track of all of the cashflow and I’ve probably read one too many Alfie Kohn books on intrinsic motivation. But if it works for you, then knock yourself out sister! I am firm believer in doing what works for you and don’t worry about what anyone else does.

Thanks for the great ideas!
The Head Monkey

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