Q: This month's question comes from Elisa , who teaches in Blackfoot, Idaho:

I have a job for every student in my class, and the jobs change each week. Some of the jobs happen in the morning, some at the end, and some all day long. Most of the jobs are important for my sanity. Last year, my students were not very good at getting their jobs done. I don't have time to do their jobs, or even to remind them. I need some kind of 'fool-proof' way to make sure the kids complete their jobs each day without taking time out of my schedule. Any ideas?



A: Your excellent responses:

Bertha Pfeifer from Spring Creek, Nevada:
I ask my Kindergartners to write their name on a piece of paper (when the job is completed)and submit it in our "Job Reward Jar". At the end of the day, we pick a name for a reward. This seems to work well and helps them practice writing their names. BONUS: They never know when the "IT'S YOUR LUCKY DAY" will happen ... everybody gets a prize for doing their job.

Jae Bishop from Covington, KY:
I am a Kindergarten teacher and every year, I seem to have the same problem. This year I am going to do something different. I am going to have one student be "Student Of The Day". This child will be my helper for that day and he/she will do all the jobs. If he/she needs help they get to pick a friend. The next day I have a new student of the day. I have posted a sign that says "Student Of The Day" and there are a list of cards with each child's name on one. At the end of the day, we will change the card to the next person on the list. This way I do not have to worry about everyone having a turn to do a certain job. They will all get turns of being the student of the day throughout the year. If you try this ....... Good Luck!

Amy from Columbia, Maryland:
My students switch jobs every month, which helps. However, one of the jobs (for two students) is to be the teacher's helper. At the end of the day they go around the classroom with a clipboard. The clipboard has the classroom jobs listed on it. The list is laminated and the teacher's helpers get a china marker to check off the jobs that have been completed. They gently remind those students who didn't complete their job to do them. If there is a problem, they come see me. It's a great way to delegate the responsibility!

Kerri Wells from Puyallup, Washington:
I had that same problem. I went to the last year teachers and asked who are really responsible students. Then I reevaluated my job chart and eliminated 1-2 jobs and assigned a student of my choosing to the "foreman." I gave them the job for 2 months and they are to stay on top of it. I explained this to the class that this was this particular student's job. It took a week or two but the problem was solved! I now use it every year!

Heather Wise from Narvon, PA:
Assign a "Supervisor". This can be your teacher's assistant also. I made up a reproducible checklist of the jobs- you could use this so the supervisor can check in on everyone. The supervisor can give a treat as payment to those who do their jobs that day or all week. They can be penalized by not going to recess unless it is done or miss out on a free period. Have you ever thought about grouping your jobs? I have team jobs. There is a maintenance team (cleaning jobs), Communications (Passes papers, mailboxes, makes announcements), Teacher's Assistants, and Caretakers (Pets) - They each have individual jobs, but they are responsible as a group. So, if someone is sick or forgets, the whole group is responsible. This is a real life skill of working with others! It also helps to break down multiple tasks within a job to something more managable for individual students.

Andrea Reed from Del Rio, Texas:
One of your student jobs is a job manager. Give them a clip board with all of the jobs on it and that student is to make sure everyone has done their job by the end of the day. The can turn in this slip to you with checkmarks at the end of every day and give them a new clean job sheet for tomorrow. Also I would not have the kids change jobs weekly. It is hard for them to remember what job they have and before you know it, they change jobs. I change my jobs once every six weeks. The kids will have 6 different jobs for the entire year. The kids have to fill out a job application to apply for the job. "Because I like it." "Because I want it." Never get chosen. This helps their writing skills also. I start with the very first day of school.

Nancy Warner from Batavia, NY:
This is not my original idea...I have an "agent of the day" who does all the jobs on that day. I found that those children who need help remembering the jobs will ask someone to help them. (Or you could assign an assistant for those children who need help remembering.) This procedure is a big hit with some children who can't wait for the day when they are the agent. It also answers the inevitable question "Who's going 1st?" The answer automatically is the "agent of the day."

Bettylou from Laguna Hills, California:
My students also have jobs in the classroom. I also change some jobs weekly, but I have jobs which students keep for the whole month. They must fill out an application ( a simple one) and go through an interview process with me,ie will they be responsible etc.. Students know they can be fired from their jobs and another person chosen to replace them. They also have an option to "hire" a helper, and can fire their helper if they do not perform the job. I refer to them as class managers. They basically help manage the classroom while I am doing testing, small group instr., etc.. They know from the beginning that each job must be taken seriously and they can get "fired" from a job and replaced. I found this to be a great incentive to do a good job. Students do not want to get fired from a job. Another incentive I add, is the fact that students have the opportunity to train others for the jobs they have when it comes time to rotate managers. I have done this for years and have been very successful. They remind each other when something is not done, and there are always other students ready to jump in and take over when needed. I teach 2nd grade and students like having the responsibility to help manage the classroom.

Lisa Welker from Hillsboro, Missouri:
My students elect class officers for our classroom to help me with managing things in my room. These officers will do a variety of things. They are required to give a short speech to the class telling their peers why they would they would perfect for this job. Once elected they use a checklist that I have given them to check off student tasks once they are completed. If they find that the job was not accomplished they would then remind the student to complete their daily task.

Daniela from Wallingford, CT:
I know what you mean. I have jobs for everyone too. But I one of the jobs is a "Job Checker". Their job is to go through all the jobs and make sure each student is doing or did their job. It made it easier for me at the end of the day. ALl I do now is ask the job checker if everyone's jobs are done.

Carolyn from New York, NY:
Haven't tested this yet, but your question got me thinking... For the one-time-daily jobs, perhaps a chart with the task and, underneath, 2 small pockets labeled "not yet" and "done". A craft stick with the monitor's name on it could be moved from one pocket to the second so the child could self-monitor. Of course, the last job of the day would be to replace the craft sticks to the "not yet" position.

beth from chambersburg , pa:
One of my jobs- the only one I have to remember, is the "Inspector". That child checks to be sure that the work required for each job is completed correctly, on time, and if something is missing, to notify the responsible parties. The inspector reports this before the children can gather their things at the end of the day and line up for the busses. The children all know they are accountable and I only have to remember to check one child's job. Besides, what a power trip for the inspector that week!

Lynnda from Great Bend, Kansas:
I put my girls and boys in ABC order. On Monday, I pick the first girl and first boy to be the helpers for the entire week. They do all the chores in the room. The next week I select the next boy and girl in ABC order. If one of them happen to be absent, the next boy or girl in ABC order knows they are a substitute helper for that period of time.

Mary Reel from DeSoto, TX:
I assign jobs for a whole six weeks. This is better for older students. I teach 4th grade. The jobs have witty titles and the students can get fired if they slouch on their job. They like the responsiblility and I don't have to remember who has which job.

P. Gail Williams from Groveport, OH:
My jobs are set up the same way, with the attendance and lunch helper's work being done in the morning, and the messenger's job lasting all day. I found that most of the jobs could be routinely completed either prior to lunch, or at the end of the day. It really is important to keep this as a routine part of your day. I set aside 10 minutes for jobs about 20 minutes before dismissal for jobs like blackboards, trash, desk monitor, mail person, etc. During this time, no one is permitted to stop until their job is done, and there is no talking. To help with this, I play classical music. The kids know it by heart now as their clean-up music. When the music stops, everyone must be in their seats. I also have students vote for Good Citizens (2) each month. Part of the requirement for Good Citizen is completing their classroom jobs responsibly. They know! Best of Luck.

Betty from Cherry Hill, NJ:
I include their success in my rewards program. Sometimes it's a token economy, sometimes stars on a chart, or just table rewards. It's part of being responsible! However I keep the jobs for the whole year, and this works much better than switching them each week.

Darci Deschamps from Las Cruces, New Mexico:
As a bilingual teacher, I usually have more than 20 students in my class each year. In order to make each child feel special and that they have "ownership" in our classroom, as well as ensuring that jobs get done, there are always at least 2 people assigned to each job. I tell them that it is up to them to figure out how they are going to ensure that they each get to do the job. Also, when students inform me that a job wasn't done, I ask them to speak directly to those students who are responsible for completing it. This also helps to make the students responsible. They often respond better to their peers reminders than to mine!

Pam F. from Wayne, MI:
Have one of your jobs be for a "checker". The checker checks to see that all the other jobs are done. If they are unwilling to do their jobs then they could do them at playtime or freetime.

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Ina Molinari from Brigantine, New Jersey:
Use a large super hero cut out who has a saying: Be my Super Helper, Love,(ex).(Superman)Then make pockets with job descriptions or pictures on pockets placed strategically on/near hero's body. Let children choose their own job. They will definitely want to complete the job he/she chose and more importantly, assist a Super Hero. Change periodally and add seasonal touches to your hero.

Lauren from Arlington, MA:
Rather than have jobs for every student every day, you might want to consider having only one or two "Teacher's Assistants" or "Teacher's Helpers" each day. Those children do all of the jobs. The next day you choose two different children. In order to be sure that everyone gets a turn, I write each child's name on a separate name card (like the one you would put on a desk or table). I always choose a girl and a boy until we run out of one or the other. Then I use the remaining cards. The cards are place at the top of the daily schedule chart. The next day I take those cards and put them on the bottom of the pile. I hope that this is helpful to you.

Terry Fjellstad from Seaford, NY:
I usually have some students who wish to help me out each day and they remind the other students to do their jobs.

Debbie from Bonita Springs, FL:
I teach 3rd grade, and I have given up on having a job chart. Our class has a teacher assistant and the cafeteria helpers. Thats it! I emphasize that our classroom is a community and encourage taking pride in how it looks. Surprisingly things get done. Occasionally I will recognize someone who I see giving attention to an area, and the rest of the class is eager to do something.

Connie Semler from Independence, NJ:
To help insure their jobs getting done, and since you have them do their jobs for a month, my suggestion is to do a quick reminder at the beginning of each week.

Cyndi from The Plains, VA:
I totally understand you predicament. I use a soda reward. Once a week I look at the jobs I have posted. I think back through the week and if I am sure that job was completed I put a can of soda or a candy on the "employees" desk. They soon began to trip over themselves for those jobs. I also reward them individually for organization and neatness. We use a red (horrid), yellow (thin ice) and green ( awesome) card reward system. Five green cards and you recive a note home telling your family how awesome you hve been. I will put green cards in their cubbies if I know they are staying organized.

K. Daily from Huntington Beach, California:
I had the same problem moving down in grade levels, so I decided to let a different student be the "Manager On Duty", or MOD as we call it, each day. I randomly choose a stick with a students name each morning and they take their job of organizing the classroom very seriously. They are in charge of everything from changing the calendar to leading the line to recess and lunch.

Cheryl from Jacksonville,, NC:
I teach 1st grade, and my students also had daily classroom jobs. When the students initially got the jobs, we all sat down and discussed/brainstormed exactly what had to be done in each job. I frequently had children "forget" to do their jobs too. Last year we kept a "Good News Board." The only criteria to "post" something on the board was that it had to be something you noticed about someone else. I modeled what I expected to see (e.g. "Josh is doing a wonderful job sharpening our pencils in the morning." "Karen remembered every day this week to pass out the 'lunch people.'") Students loved having others notice how well they were doing their jobs. Our board stayed full of positive comments, and students rarely "forgot" to do their jobs.

Charlotte from Indianapolis, Indiana :
My students get weekly pay for their jobs. You may want to consider doing that. Also I remind them that they will not get paid (fake money to use in the class store) if they do not get their job done. Remind them that they can be replaced. (Just like the real world! :)

Dan Masterson from Clovis, California:
One of you jobs should be a supervisor. In my class I have one in each of my groups. They have a checklist to fill out to be sure that every task is complete. Their job includes assisting if someone is having a difficult time completing their job. They turn in their report to me at the end of the week. Groups with good reports are rewarded

Lynn Lindenfelser from Wyandotte, MI:
Next to each job, provide a pocket (such as a library card pocket) in which each child places a colored craft stick once their job has been completed. The sticks are small and can be easily velcroed to their desks. The pockets can also be color coded to match the sticks. After the students have been dismissed for the day, you simply remove the sticks from the pockets and return them to the desks. You can even make this a job for a student first thing in the morning.

Debbie Rosenman from Troy, Michigan:
Perhaps have another class job could be the Job Supervisor. It would be the responsibility of each "worker" to report to the supervisor that the job had been done. A checklist could be used to check off after each "report". The supervisor could then check up on those workers who had not "reported in." The supervisor could also do spot checks on workers to be sure the jobs are being done well. This is a very real-life approach to the work world.

Caroline from Berkeley, California:
You could give one of the kids the job of reminding the others when to do their jobs. They could announce to the class when the morning and afternoon jobs start. They could also remind you if a certain person is supposed to pass out things during class. My students love reminding me of things, so I think it would be a desirable job.

Tom from Ontario, CA:
In my own classroom of 4th graders, there are usually a handful of responsible girls whose job is to make sure other kids are doing THEIR jobs. That is how I do it! :-)

Paula from Lawrenceville, Georgia:
I list my jobs on the board at the beginning of the year and hand out "job applications." Students are asked to list their top three job choices along with "skills" they have that would make them good candidates. (Some of the responses are really cute - one young man applied for the job of turning off the lights when we leave the classroom for lunch. His skill? He always turns his lights off when he leaves his bedroom!) I explain to the students which jobs are once-per-day and which jobs last all day. While I require that everyone apply for a job (our classroom can't run without you!) I suggest that they apply for jobs that they really think they can remember to do each and every day. I find that they then have ownership of the "job" and take some pride in it because I "hired" them to do it. If someone consistently fails to complete a job, I've been known to "fire" him/her, but that rarely happens. This system also keeps me from having to change the jobs each week. One class kept jobs for the whole year, while my class the following year re-applied for jobs mid-year to give some variety.

Sue Ann Crapsey from Berrien Springs, Mi:
I have a job listed as substitute. That person does the job for absent students or for students who forget to do their job.

Kelly Crews from Snellville, Georgia:
I also have a job for each student in my class, but I teach 5th grade and only change jobs once a month. This gives the students time to learn their job. Due to similiar problems last year of students forgetting to do their jobs. I added the responsibility of job manager to one of the smaller jobs. This person checks the job chart as needed to remind students about their jobs, does jobs or assigns other students to do jobs in a student's absence, and discusses job problems with students before I have to get involved. It helped.

Jennifer from Marlboro, NJ:
It seems to me that the problem lies within the structure of your set-up. Having each student perform a job means many tiny little responsiblibilites, none of which will seem important to the students. Rotating every month doesn't give young students nough time to become adept at a job. My suggestion would be to change the structure. Instead of assigning each student a job, condense or combine the jobs into the most 5 or 6 important and prepare a bulletin board describing the responsibilities. Have students "apply" for the job. Older students can turn it into a writing assignment. Since students are applying, it gives them more ownership and they will feel a greater responsibility to fulfil their job requirements. Have students reapply each term or marking period and have a week of "training" the new "employees" by the "retirees". I have made an entire classroom theme with this structure. It gives students a taste of real life and you get students who are more devoted and responsibly about performing their jobs.

Martha from Grafton, Massachusetts:
I'll be interested to hear other responses to this questions. I, too, have had struggles with this, and often just do the jobs myself. For the last two years, after everyone had tried most of the jobs, it became apparent that some jobs were better suited to some students than others. For example, Miranda was terrific with the plants, Mary was an excellent clock watcher for the end of break, one student was great at keeping the bookshelves neat . . .you get the picture. So we assigned those jobs to those kids for the rest of the year. They decided on about 8 different jobs to assign to one person - there were no complaints. Other jobs rotated - lunch count, for example. Assigning chores according toindividual interests and personalities, helped to cut down a lot with reminders. Plus one job was to be the Reminder! Alyce was the best Reminder!

Marla from Pontiac, Illinois:
I have taught 4th, 3rd, and now 2nd and I have tried doing what you do. I could never keep it straight. Therefore, I only have one "leader" and that child does EVERYTHING for the day. They love being leader and there is always something for them to do. That way noone feels like they got "jipped" that day with their job. Even 2nd graders love being leader and don't seem to mind that there is only one person with a job.

Cheryl Kish from Selma, Alabama:
Changing a job chart daily or even weekly can take up a lot of your time. I write each child's name on a die-cut. I put the girl's names on one ring and the boy's names on another. I hang the rings beside the pencil sharpener and turn one die-cut on each ring daily. This gives me one girl and one boy helper for that day. I let the helpers for the day do every job. This way I don't have the headache of keeping up with which child has had a turn at a job. It really makes the children feel special when they are the helper for the day.

Kara Purdie from Salisbury, MA:
Make one of the jobs the "Foreman" or "Manager". It becomes that student's responsibility to monitor that all jobs are completed each day. You could also have a "Worker of the Week" acknowledgement for the student(s) who did a superior job that week.

Helen from Boston, MA:
I have used clothes pins with the childrens names on them on small envelopes. The jobs are written on the envelopes and when the child has completed their job for the day they put their clothes pin inside the envelope. I can look quickly at the board to see who hasn't done their job. I reset them clipped to the envelopes in the morning.

Jennifer from Winchester, Virginia:
Give each student a "paycheck" for their job. If they did a good job, "pay" them the full amount (make each job equal in amount of "pay"). If they were inconsistent or didn't do the job, pay them little or nothing. Have the students keep track of their "earnings" in a checkbook (incorporating math) and even have a tallying day every couple of paychecks. At the end of the quarter, or month, have the students use their "earnings" to purchase things, such as desk supplies, little games and puzzles or even homework passes. They'll be more likely to do their jobs if they feel they are getting something in exchange.

Sue from Pittsford, MI:
Why does everyone have a job every week? That is too much to keep track of for you. The purpose of these jobs is to teach the children responsibility, but it is also to make your job easier so you have time to teach. Unless you have a very small class, under 15, I think you should cut down the jobs. I normally have a class of about 20 and I have about 7 or 8 classroom jobs. We change jobs every Monday morning and as they are picked for a job I put a check by their name on an alphabetical class list that I have stapled on my morning opening bulletin board. In this way it is easier for you to keep track of how many times each child has had a job throughout the school year. At the beginning of the year, on Monday, after jobs are appointed I briefly tell about each job and how and when it needs to be done. After a few weeks these explanations are not necessary. Also, if children happen to be absent on Monday when new jobs are picked I skip their name and go back to it the following week. This eliminates reminding that student what their job is when they return to school. Also, students can have their jobs taken away from them "fired" if they are not responsible at remembering. I only do this later in the school year after a routine is securely established. I have done this routine for several years and it works well. I keep their jobs posted on a Really Good Stuff job chart also. In this way at a glance the class can see each job and the student who has that job in case they need a reminder.

Anthony Coleman from Memphis, Tennessee:
Elisa, The method that I have used for my students, is a timer. Most of my task are done in the morning and at the end of the school day. I use tongue depresser with each child's name on it and they each have a certain period of time to complete the task before the timer goes off. If the timer goes off and their depressors are not in the can. They are not eligible to get things out of the treasure chest. It has worked on numerous occasions and you would be amazed at the number of depressors are in the can. Try it! it works.

Nancy from Langhorne, PA:
Instead of weekly, change jobs monthly. Have a checklist that they have to check or stamp each day when it is completed and before they can line up for dismissal. This has worked for my second grade class of 26..

Bridget E. Honan from Klamath Falls, OR:
I "pay" my students for their jobs weekly with a lollypop, which they may eat only in the classroom. If I have a student who doesn't do the work, they don't get paid. If they do an exceptional job (ie. solve a problem on the job, nver need reminding) they might get a bonus. If a student continually doesn't do the chore, she or you can "subcontract" the work to another student who is willing.

Jeanette Sutherland from Poughkeepsie, New York:
I once had the same problem. Now I have two helpers each day, one boy and one girl. They serve as line leaders messengers, paper passers, etc. The next day, another boy and girl have a turn. This way each child gets several turns throughout the year, andf I do not have to keep track of who is supposed to be doing which job. By the way, today's helpers are tomorrow's cabooses in line. This solves the problem of children lagging behind in order to be last in line.

Elizabeth from Lutz, Florida:
well with my kids, I use tickets I get from the dollar store and do a raffle weekly and if they answer a question or in your case do their jobe they get one. The prize can be anything you want, maybe a homework pass or a starburst.

Lisa from Pleasant Hill, Oregon:
I used to give every child a job every week, but I found it took too much time. For the last few years I have picked a helper for the day. They do all the jobs I need done for the day. They are line leader, office runner, paper passer, etc. They enjoy being able to help a lot and don't mind having to wait their turn for the next time. they may also choose an assistant for bigger jobs, if they want. I have all the names on cards in a can and pick a name each day. Oh, if it's your birthday, you are helper automatically as a bonus. It works for me and it involves very little planning time.

Meaghan McDermott from Rocky Point, NY:
When teaching routines in the beginning of the year I always make sure I teach what to do when you are done with your work. Besides finishing work or reading a book, students with jobs (such as plants or mailboxes) do them at this time. This way it is automatic and doesn't require a reminder.

Linda Hansen from Napa, California:
Find all your old checkers with the pawn on one side and the crown on the other. Each student gets one of these checkers on the corner of their desk. When they complete their task for the day, they get to turn it over and be 'King'd'. By just breesing around the room, you can look down and see who's done their job and who hasn't.

Cindy Salamone from Lexington, MA:
I pass out pennies to reward various positive behaviors and have a "store" each week in which students can buy little trinkets like stampers and pencils. When students don't complete their job, they owe me a penny! That really works!

Melinda from Blanchard, Oklahoma:
I allow students to apply for jobs in my room. I made a simple form that the students fill out with the request for the job. If students are able to pick their jobs, they are more willing to complete them.

Ruth Ann Mitchell from Spring, TX:
Make one job be the job of checking to make sure all the other jobs are done. The first week make sure to give it to someone who is very diligent about checking up on others. This helper's job is not to do the job or even tell you that the job isn't done. Their job is to remind that person that you are depending on them to get their job done. You might have to intervene at times, but its better than you having to check up on them everyday.

Carolyn from Spring, Texas:
I have a "Helper of the Day". It is one person and that one person is in charge of everything for that day (running errads, getting the door, lunch money, sharpening pencils, etc) I have a chart with each student's name on it with a clothspin and we rotate down the chart.

Steve from Silver Spring, Maryland:
I also have student jobs which are an integral part of my classroom structure. I've come to the conclusion that some jobs are too important to entrust to just any student. I tell them at the beginning of the year that only responsible students will get to do certain jobs. I also tell them that, like the real world, jobs will be taken away from those who do not do them responsibly. I also will not give a job to students who have not been responsible in doing their work. This means that certain jobs may be given to only a few students. It may be that some students will do the same job 2 or even 3 weeks in a row. I think this gives students an honest view of how their work ethic affects their success.

Flor Alvarez from Bradenton, FL:
You didn't say what grade you teach. I teach 5th. In my classroom, two of the jobs are "Supervisor" and "Assistant Supervisor". These students are in charge of knowing who does what job. The first thing they do is compliment the students when doing their jobs. They get to leave little post-it notes or notes of their choice in cubbies. If there is a problem when someone is not doing their job, they gently remind them or come and let me know. Another thing these two students do is substitute for jobs when someone is absent.

Lara Dryden from Clarkston, MI:
I have a teacher helper job, sometimes two depending on the class. If a student does not do or finish their job, then it is the teacher's helper job to do that job (or sub if someone is absent). The child who is not doing their job all of the sudden wants to do it becuase they want the priase you are giving the teacher helper.

Kirsten from Pittsburg, CA:
One of the student jobs could be "Job Supervisor" and that student would check and make sure the jobs are done at the end of each day. Have a check-off sheet on a clipboard with the students names on it. The weekly jobs could be written down next to each person's name. (I wouldn't change jobs more than once a week, so that if a job is only done once a week, then it gets checked on Friday.) You could allow the Job Supervisor to do this task during quiet reading time or recess or whenever it is convenient, but not during curriculum/teaching time. Perhaps even little reminder slips could be filled out for the students who forgot to do their job and the supervisor could fill/pass them out. Good luck!

J. Mayr from Ferndale, WA:
I tie the payment for their jobs in with our classroom smile card system. They earn cards with smiles printed on them throughout the day and save them to "buy" items from a class Surprise can. They get so many cards if they remember to do their job without the teacher needing to remind them. If they don't do their job, then they won't be paid just as they wouldn't be if it were a job in the real world. I sometimes give out "bonus pay" cards for extra effort, remembering for a set number of days in a row, etc. I haven't had to "fire" anyone yet (assign someone else the opportunity to do their job and earn extra pay that week.)

Sage Silverstein from Eugene, Oregon:
Yes. I substituted last year and as a guest it was a little distracting , but if I remember correctly, it was very effective. This method is visual, quick and teacher-free. Each child had a pocket (on the inside of the classroom door,which is a good place as students are reminded each time they come or go,)with thei job written in black sharpie. One side was green and after they did the chore they turned their card to red. This way too, it would seem to be easy to rotate jobs diplomatically- just rotate the cards as frequently as you wanted. At the end of the day the teacher had to turn all cards back to green, but I would take it one step further and have my "student teacher" (Student in the class,) do it first thing in the morning. I'm sure little ones would love the opportunity to help keep tabs. It makes it accessible for all students to access the info and remind each other! The thought occurs to me that as a single mom of a teen boy, I should try this one at home!

Cheryl from Danville, Illinois:
Create a "crew chief" for the week. Their job would be to check off each job as it's completed or at the end of the day. They could gently remind others to complete their jobs or complete the job themselves. If your school has a student of the week from each class, that person could be your "crew chief".

Paula Janson from Rehoboth, MA:
My students and I work on the concept of TEAM the first few weeks during which they earn class points for positive attitude that includes practicing jobs. When this is working, they make an actual checkbook and I do a math lesson on checking accounts. It gives them a jump start on many fourth grade math skills and makes it "real".This could be a wallet with Monopoly money for lower grades. Each child receives a weekly allowance for being a team member and also receives a "salary" for the job they have been "hired" for. The pay is given according to the amount of effort needed to perform the job (daily, all day, weekly) and is usually a "$5.00 or $10.00 job". The students really like the repsponibility as well as the salary! I need to do little supervision because the students do it for me. They will look at the job list and find the person responsible. There are no better helpers than the students themselves. The consequence for not performing your job is to forfeit pay. Repeated offenses means that the job gets "posted" and someone else "hired". That RARELY happens. I hold an auction every two weeks where they can spend their money for privileges or merchandise. We create a real team effort and get in lots of fun and math!

Corliss T. Tyler from Ricmond, Virginia:
You give them some type of insentive to reward them when they finish on time. Or have to work together, saying thaat if the couple don't finish on time who did would receive the reward makes them want ot work harder.

Mary Chris from Grove City, PA:
Hi- I am a little confused about your jobs. Maybe you have too many jobs. I have about 10 jobs my children do for me during the week. Jobs such as 'leader', 'sink holder', 'paper passers', 'turn out the lights when we leave the room', 'erase the board',etc. I also have one person who is my 'substitute' worker. If anyone with a job is absent, the 'substitute' will do that job until the absent child returns. That way I have all my jobs covered and everyone knows who takes over if necessary. The jobs are also posted in my room with the child's name next to the job they are doing for the week. We rotate jobs so that if you don't have a job one week, you will the next. Good luck -- I would love to hear all the jobs you have your children do in the classroom.

Emme from Alberta, Canada:
Maybe you have too many jobs - making up a job for each student means that some of the assignments are "make work" projects and the kids know that, and perhaps don't take them very seriously. Consider easing up on yourself and the record keeping and reminders you need to do by having just two helpers for the whole day, doing all the jobs. The kids feel very special and important (and they are!) and you don't have so much to keep track of.

Lee from Dayton, NJ:
Before assigning jobs explain to the students very responsible students get jobs and if the job is not done they loose their job to another student. This worked in the class I student taught in.

Mrs. Wanita King from Jonesboro, Georgia:
Well you can say if they don't their job they can have silent lunch, or no recess

Michele Crnobrnja from Amherst, Ohio:
One of my classroom jobs is that of "job supervisor." That job entails checking to make sure that each student completes his/her job each day. Students like the job of supervisor because it involves some authority. I cycle students through this job, just like all the others, so everyone has a chance. Even if I have to give a reminder, it is only to the "job supervisor" and not every student. It works out very nicely.

Dena from Casa Grande, Arizona:
Elisa, I had the same problem. I felt it wasn't fair to have jobs that didn't needed to be done as often as the others. Even though I rotated jobs weekly, the children felt bad when they didn't get to do their job. So...I started picking one student per day to do everything.That way I could remember who it was and everyone got a turn even faster. The kids loved it. They knew that whomever was picked was the person of the day and would be the one to help me whenever I needed through the day. (It also freed up a bulletin board for other fun things!) Hope this idea helps. Dena

Jeanette from Seattle, Washington:
I also have a hard time remembering who has what job. So I rotate my students alphabetically/numerically as the Student of the Day. As Student of the Day, they act as my teacher's helper. They do anything that needs to get done for that day (start the pledge, office runner, librarian, paper passer, pencil sharperner, lunch helper, etc) and if the job takes more than one person, then they get to choose their own helpers. Since it is alphabetical/numerical, they remember when their day is. In fact, some of my kids make sure they are not absent when it is their day. After you've gone through all the students, you start all over again. I've found that by doing that, my kids all know what to do and if they need help then yesterday's Student of the Day can teach them. They also know that it is a priviledge and they must do a good job. They can be fired if they don't take it seriously but they can have another chance next month. I explain that with any job they are perks and there are responsibilities but both are important. It is the same expectation in the real world and it is good to practice them early.

Kirsten from Dix Hills, New York:
I used to change my class jobs all quite often. It became challenging to manage. This idea was passed down to me and it worked great last year. At the beginning of the year, I introduce all the classroom jobs. ( Making sure I have at least one job for every child) I have the students complete a job application. The application asks them what job they want, why they want it, why they think they will be good at it, what other job would they be interested in etc. I explain to the students that although they applied for a specific job they may not get that job. All the students completed their jobs like a charm. They knew what they had to do everyday.

Denee Schlotterer from Ashland, Ohio:
Last year I tried hanging a laminated checksheet table with the jobs listed down the side and the day of the week at the top. Each day they checked off their job with a dry erase marker. It encouraged completion and showed what had not been done.

Martha from San Diego, CA:
You don't say what grade or age you are teaching, but I would limit the number of jobs to include only what is most important. Make sure some of the jobs are "fun" like line leader. I pick randomly on Monday mornings and each child chooses their job. First picked gets first choice! They then get a small token from the prize box on Friday IF they remembered to do their job and believe me they remember. The "prize box" consists of recycled toys that they donate to the class. One person's trash is another's treasure as the saying goes. Hope this helps.

Peg from Randolph,, MA:
I usually choose a responsible student to be my secretary in cases like this. I make up a master sheet of duties/week. The secretary would keep track of which student has each job.

Kim Davis from Wilson, NC:
It used to drive me nuts trying to keep up with the jobs each student was responsible for each day also. I solved the problem by having just 2 helpers each day. These 2 students are my "helping hands." I put each students' name on a cut out handprint. Each morning I pull out one girl helper and one boy helper. These 2 do all of the neccessary jobs on that day. I don't have to remember who needs to do what-- I just call for my helpers!

Lucy from San Jose, California:
Pick a different helper each day and that student is responsible for ALL the jobs for that day. If a job requires more than one person (such as passing out books or papers or cleaning the floor at the end of the day), the helper gets to choose other students to help him/her. When they are the only one with a job (and get to choose others), they NEVER forget! When everyone has had a turn, start again. This also saves a lot of teacher time because you don't have to rotate the jobs every week. Just pick a name from a can every morning. The kids seem much more enthused as well.

Robin from Pinckney, MI:
Give a child the job of making sure the other children do their jobs. Maybe this could switch weekly - a month is a long time!

Stephanie Q. from Waynesboro, Virginia:
I used to assign jobs for all of my students as well, but it was hard making sure everyone did what they were supposed to do. For the past two years, I have chosen two helpers for the week, and they do everything from leading and door holding to passing out papers. Two helpers are easier to keep up with than twenty!