This week was the end of October, so what does that mean to the grade 5/6 class at Riverside? It means that it is time to work on our Classroom Economy. Students are paid a wage for jobs that they do, things they volenteer for, anything they are involved in either at school or out of school. If a teacher gives them a compliment or catches them doing great things they get bonuses. With that they also receive fines for things like breaking the tribes agreements, not being responsible (homework not handed in). Students have to pay rent on their desks or they can buy their desk outright. After all that the students do their banking- deposit and withdraw; if they want to keep out cash they may and then they bid on auction items that students bring into class.
Talk about authentic learning- money is great motivater. This is fun but the students did learn why we teach some of the math rules- (counting, addition, subtratction, placevalue). As one young man found out there is a big difference between 100 and 1000. That makes for some tense learning - double checking for errors as they all want the most money they can get.
Hard work does pay off. Kylie had a great month. Hard work does pay off. Kylie set a goal for herself in October. It was to be able to pay her rent plus the outstanding fine. I accomplished my goal by reading every night, by having one hour of physical activity every night. Being a good student really helped as well. I gave compliments, received compliments. I was not off task as much as the month previous. I was focused and finished my work to the best of my ability. I even handed my homework in early. The big changes were asking for help when I needed it and did not blurt out the answers."
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