Mrs. Snow's Playbill Economy
While economics is part of the elementary curriculum, it is often overlooked in textbooks and other academic programs. In order to fill this void and to provide cross-curricular instruction in a real-world setting, I plan to implement a year-long mini economy unit for my Gateway classes this year. My students will experience first-hand being paid for a job well-done, gain real-life experiences about our economic system, use math skills on a daily basis, and learn valuable lessons about responsibility, spending, rewards, and consequences.
How It Works
Monthly Salary
Students will be “paid” in the form of “Playbill Checks” for classroom jobs and for carrying out third grade student responsibilities. Jobs will rotate on a weekly basis so that everyone can experience a variety of responsibilities. Each third grade Gateway student can earn a monthly salary of $120.00 paid by me. This will be recorded in each child’s checkbook register and deposited in Playbill Bank. See a list of classroom jobs below.
Bonus Checks
In addition to earning a monthly salary, students will have the opportunity to earn “Bonus Checks”. Bonuses are rewarded weekly to students exceeding classroom expectations and behaviors. Amounts are in denominations of $1.00, $5.00, $10.00, and $20.00. Students can receive a bi-monthly check to be deposited and will record this credit in their checkbook registers. See the list of bonuses below.
Rent and Purchasing Property
Rent for the use of chairs and tables in the Gateway room will be due monthly. Rent is $75.00/month. Students will write rent checks payable to “City of Playbill” and record this transaction in their checkbook registers. ** Here’s the fun part. If a student saves three times the rent in his/her checking account, the “property” can be purchased as a condominium! Cost of a condo is $300.00. Of course, the advantage of this is that once property is purchased, rent is no longer due each month!
Fines
Fines are part of the consequences to class responsibilities. Students can be fined for behavior, failure to complete and/or turn in homework, not making a nine-weeks AR goal, and job noncompliance. Fines are deducted from bonus checks and pay checks bi-monthly and recorded in checkbook registers. See a list of fines below.
Class Auctions/Store
Opportunities to spend hard-earned “cash” at class stores or auctions will be given at the end of each nine week period. However, money can be spent in this manner only after rent and all fines (if any) have been paid. Students can also opt to save money to purchase more expensive end-of-year auction items. See a list of auction/store items below.
-----------------------------------------------------
LIST OF CLASSROOM JOBS
Door Holder Caboose
Messenger/Welcome Captain Tuesday Folder Monitor
Bucket Filling Assistant Supply Captain
Line Leader
Jobs change every two weeks. New jobs are created as needed.
---------------------------------------
LIST OF BONUSES
Exceeding AR point goal $1.00/point
Completing an O.S.C.A.R. activity $5.00/activity
Perfect conduct for the week
(no point deductions or warnings given) $10.00
Reading a Read Across America and completing
the book report form $20.00
Receiving a personal compliment from another
teacher or staff member $20.00
Your birthday bonus! $20.00
*Bonuses are paid every two weeks. Mrs. Snow can issue bonuses at any time for any person deserving of one!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIST OF FINES
1. Warning given $5.00
2. Unorganized Gateway Folder $5.00
3. Tuesday Folder not signed/returned $5.00/day
4. “Minus Five” given for school rule infraction $10.00
5. Being disrespectful of any person $20.00
6. Being dishonest $20.00
7. Classroom job non-compliance $20.00
*Fines are deducted from bonus checks and paychecks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIST OF CLASS STORE/AUCTION ITEMS
Pencils
Pens
Highlighters
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Markers
Folders
Erasers
Notebooks/journals
Bookmarks
Pencil pouches
Stickers
Books
Sodas
Snacks
No Homework Pass
“Sit by a Friend at Lunch” Coupon
“Change Your Seat for a Day” Coupon
“Extra Computer Time” Coupon
“Teacher Assistant for the Day” Coupon
Great News Note sent home to parents
“Sit by a Friend in Class” Coupon
**End of Year Items:
“Popcorn/Snack Party” Coupon
“Movie Party” Coupon
“Lunch with Mrs. Snow and a Friend” Coupon
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While creating and planning a classroom economy has taken time and energy, I believe it will be worth it. I look forward to my students gaining real-world knowledge and valuable life-skills that will last a lifetime. Any comments or thoughts are welcome!
NOTE: Thanks to Beth Newingham for sharing her version of creating a classroom economy. (http://content.scholastic.com)
***********************************************************************************************************
Websites for Practice
Congratulations to these
2011-2012 Condo Owners:
Pranshu
Rachael
Paulyn
Ella
Angelle
Anna Clair
London
Nylah
Grace
Katie
