Meaningful Jobs
(the Power of Unity & Skill of Encouragement)
Meaningful classroom jobs is a very important part of the "School Family". Each student has a job for a period of at least one week. You then rotate the jobs however you choose to, a linear pattern works well, and the student who was the "first aid giver" last week teaches the new "first aid giver" the responsibilities of the job. Be sure to teach each job explicitly at the beginning of the year, or as you make job changes as your classroom needs change.
Classroom Job Moments:
1) "Almost" Moments - This is when a child hasn't quite gotten the hang of their new job responsibility or lacks the motivation to do it adequately. You may say in a positive and encouraging way "You almost did it! All you need now is _______." Some kids needs more encouragement or instructions.
2) "You did it" Moments - Be sure to notice (not judge) a child's success with their job. "You did it! You wiped the tables clean so the next class would have a clean place to eat lunch. That was helpful!" Be careful not to say "thank you" as that makes the task a favor for you instead of a responsibility of the child. Also avoid "good job" because that signifies judgment and causes anxiety.
3) "It Helps Our School Family By ______" Moments - When a child refuses to do their job, this can mean a few things. Ask yourself:
*Is this a chronic problem or rare? If it's just "one of those days" let the child ask a peer for help. Let them know it's their responsibility to find a sub for the day.
*Is this job a meaningful job or busy work? If the job is made up to have enough jobs, kids will pick up on that quickly and will not feel as if they are contributing to the school family and will want to avoid the job.
*Do they understand how the job is helpful to the school family? If not have a private discussion or talk about it at the class meeting.
RESEARCH SHOWS: Meaningful jobs that are carried out in a way that fosters independence: 1) Reduces Misbehavior, 2) Increases Teaching Time, Teaches Responsibility, Builds Literacy Skills, and Improves Self-Esteem.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR JOB BOARD:
1)Select jobs that will be beneficial to your classroom. There should be one job for each child. So, 18 kids = 18 jobs. Jobs are created as chores in the classroom, such as cleaning the tables, etc.., or to assist in the routines and rituals of the classroom, such as line leader, morning message writer, greeter, etc....
2) Be sure to give each job a description that can be referred to, and an image is very helpful, and necessary for younger students.
3) Introduce the job board, along with the procedures for assigning jobs, and detailed job descriptions.
4) Encourage, encourage, encourage and notice, notice, notice. Send notes home that tell how helpful "Johnny" has been to the school family. It is this part of the process that makes the child feel accomplished and competent. This builds self-esteem, responsibility, and promotes intrinsic motivation.
Classroom Job Moments:
1) "Almost" Moments - This is when a child hasn't quite gotten the hang of their new job responsibility or lacks the motivation to do it adequately. You may say in a positive and encouraging way "You almost did it! All you need now is _______." Some kids needs more encouragement or instructions.
2) "You did it" Moments - Be sure to notice (not judge) a child's success with their job. "You did it! You wiped the tables clean so the next class would have a clean place to eat lunch. That was helpful!" Be careful not to say "thank you" as that makes the task a favor for you instead of a responsibility of the child. Also avoid "good job" because that signifies judgment and causes anxiety.
3) "It Helps Our School Family By ______" Moments - When a child refuses to do their job, this can mean a few things. Ask yourself:
*Is this a chronic problem or rare? If it's just "one of those days" let the child ask a peer for help. Let them know it's their responsibility to find a sub for the day.
*Is this job a meaningful job or busy work? If the job is made up to have enough jobs, kids will pick up on that quickly and will not feel as if they are contributing to the school family and will want to avoid the job.
*Do they understand how the job is helpful to the school family? If not have a private discussion or talk about it at the class meeting.
RESEARCH SHOWS: Meaningful jobs that are carried out in a way that fosters independence: 1) Reduces Misbehavior, 2) Increases Teaching Time, Teaches Responsibility, Builds Literacy Skills, and Improves Self-Esteem.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR JOB BOARD:
1)Select jobs that will be beneficial to your classroom. There should be one job for each child. So, 18 kids = 18 jobs. Jobs are created as chores in the classroom, such as cleaning the tables, etc.., or to assist in the routines and rituals of the classroom, such as line leader, morning message writer, greeter, etc....
2) Be sure to give each job a description that can be referred to, and an image is very helpful, and necessary for younger students.
3) Introduce the job board, along with the procedures for assigning jobs, and detailed job descriptions.
4) Encourage, encourage, encourage and notice, notice, notice. Send notes home that tell how helpful "Johnny" has been to the school family. It is this part of the process that makes the child feel accomplished and competent. This builds self-esteem, responsibility, and promotes intrinsic motivation.
Sample Jobs:
Jobs (Chores)Table Washer
Messenger Electrician (turns lights on/off) Lunch Helper Board Cleaner Playground Helper Pet Caregiver Clean up Announcer Floor Monitor |
Jobs (to assist routines)Spelling Announcer
Absent Student Helper Technology Monitor Materials Manager Playground Helper Snack Helper Soap Squirter Book Monitor Morning Message Writer (Writes a friendly message on the board before the others come in.) |
Jobs (to assist rituals)Safekeeper (the teacher)
Goodbye Wisher STAR helper Kindness Recorder Encourager Cheerleader First Aid Giver |