SWC #14: Taking More Responsibility

After redesigning the physical layout of our classroom, my learners decided it was time to take on more reponsibility. They wanted jobs.  I was fine with this, because I was ready for them to take a more active role in maitaining the systems of our classroom.

We made a list of jobs that would help our classroom run smoother.  My learners came up with most of the list.  If there were roles that were overlooked, I would prod, but not require them to be added. 

When we finished with the job list, we determined the next salary based on how often the job would be performed.  The only condition that I set was rent.  Every two weeks, they would have to pay 800 Euros for their seat, just like in the real world.  At first, they were a little shocked, but quickly set the salary and chose their first job. 

The class decided to remove their name tents off their desks, because they would be allowed to move every time the jobs changed.  This allowed them the opportunity to sit in a variety of places and work with different people.  They agreed to the idea whole-heartedly. 

When designing our job list, one of my learners suggested using our name tents for the chart.  I thought it was a brilliant idea, since they were no longer being used.  I made the chart that afternoon and put it up on our window.  

Of course, my clever learners wanted to know how they might be paid.  I went back to an old-fashioned check register.  They were shocked to hear that they had to manage their own money.  HAHA.  I laughed out loud at that one. 

The real surprise was when they figured out how little they might have after paying for their rent to buy things from our class store and privileges.  As a teacher, it was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up, because they were so intrigued, scared, and interested all over again.  

Naturally, the next conversation that came along was actual money to shop.  This had me backpeddaling and shopping for money templates on Canva.  I ended up putting my face on the dollars, which was tons of fun.  If I had thought about it more clearly, I would have changed the background for each demonition.  You live and learn. Here's how it turned out. ​
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Once we began this financial discussion, there were additional questions that sprung up.  ​

• How often must I pay rent?
• How often is the class store open?
• Can we donate items to the class store for money?
• Can we work more than one job?
• What happens if we don't do our job? 
• How long must I do my job before I get paid?

​We came to a consensus that we would change jobs every two weeks and they had to pay rent at that time.  

The class store would open one time every two weeks.  The cost of all items would be listed on the the front of the class store bin.  

I labeled all of the items and put things into bags, so it was easier for the shopkeeper to manage the goods and money. 

Everyone agreed that they had to complete all the jobs before repeating them again.  

To me, this is the fun part of learning.  What is the thing that you love doing with your learners?