Introducing the Classroom Economy

Students will learn the definition of economics and briefly study how current and historic societies have had economic systems. Students will also determine necessary classroom jobs and attach daily or weekly salaries to those positions. Credits and debits will be introduced.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Participate in a classroom economy designed to mimic real world economic activity
2. Compare economic systems over time and history
3. Evaluate the importance of classroom jobs and daily responsibilities
4. Perform classroom jobs to earn daily salaries

MATERIALS

1. 4" x 6" steno notebooks
2. Computers with Internet access
3. Money Design Template (PDF)
4. Credit and Debit Logs (PDF)
5. Kids Bank Worksheet (PDF)
6. Chart paper

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Preview the Kids Bank Web site: www.kidsbank.com/index_2.asp.
2. Reserve computer time if necessary.
3. Print copies of the Kids Bank Worksheet (PDF) if you plan to have students complete the online activity on their own.
4. Create Credit and Debit Notebooks for each student. Each student will need a 4" x 6" spiral notebook. Put students' names on the cover of the notebook and glue a Credit and Debit Log (PDF) on the first page. They will use this throughout the school year.

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Money Design Template (PDF)
   
2. Credit and Debit Log (PDF)
   
3. Kids Bank Worksheet (PDF)
   

DIRECTIONS

Part 1:

1. Pass out on a sheet of paper or write on the board the two main definitions of "economy":
   1) The careful use of money and goods, and
   2) A system of economic life in a country, area, or period.
2. Ask students to share their prior experiences with money.
   –Do you make an allowance?
   –Have you ever purchased something with your own money?
   –Have you ever had a job?
   –Have you ever saved up for something?
   –Have you ever sold something to someone else?

1. Explain to students that they will be participating in a classroom economy this year where they will use money to purchase goods. Have students visit www.kidsbank.com/index_2.asp to learn more about the history of money and trade. Click on "The Adventures of Penny" to begin the presentation. (You may want to do this as a class so you can lead a discussion while you are clicking though the pages.) You may also choose to have students complete the Kids Bank Worksheet (PDF).
2. Optional: Vote on a name for your class money. (My class money is called "Newies" because my last name is Newingham.)
3. Optional: Print Money Template (PDF) and have students create designs for $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills. Once students vote on the winning designs, make many copies of the bills and store them in a cash box for the classroom bank that will eventually exist. (This step can be eliminated if you choose to use play money instead.)

Part 3:

1. Discuss ways that people earn money in an economy. Encourage students to think about common jobs in their community.
2. Brainstorm a list of jobs that students feel are necessary in the classroom. (Messenger, teacher's assistant, librarian, line leader, operator, etc.) Record the ideas on chart paper. See my list of possible classroom jobs. :

   Teacher Assistant- completes all secretarial jobs that need to be done.

   Messenger-takes notes to the office or runs errands around the school.

   Homework Checker- checks in students' homework and reports missing assignments to the teacher.

   Librarian- keeps book shelves organized.

   Computer Technician- turns on and shuts down classroom computers

   Equipment Manager- keeps track of playground equipment

   Payroll Clerk-issues checks to students at the end of every pay period (Of course the teacher will have the sign the checks)

   Travel Agent- keeps track of field trip permission slips

   Meteorologist- gives daily weather report to the class

   Mail Delivery Person -passes out notes to go home with students in cubbies or mailboxes

   Newscaster: reports on current events at class meeting

   Pet Caretaker: feeds and takes care of classroom pets

   Operator: answers the phone when the teacher is working with small groups or students

   Classroom Custodian: erases the board, cleans erasers, waters plants, etc.

   Banker- works as the bank teller on shopping days

   Cashier- serves customers at the class store on shopping days

   Economist: studies consumer behavior on shopping days and gives a market report

   Line Leader: leads the class to lunch, specials, assemblies, etc.

   Caboose: stands last in line and turns off lights when the class leaves the room

   Substitute: performs jobs for absent students

3. Explain that in a basic economy, not all jobs are paid the same. Sometimes salaries are based on the amount of work that a person has to do or the importance of the job. Have students rank the agreed-upon jobs and assign a daily or weekly salary (depending on how often you prefer to pay the students) for each classroom job.
4. Create a poster with a list of classroom jobs and their corresponding salaries. Assign students to write job descriptions so that students know what is expected of them when performing each job.
5. Create a rotating job chart. (I use pictures of students with magnetic business cards on the back, each day placing them under a new job title. The teacher's assistant rotates the jobs at the beginning of each school day.)
6. Optional: Brainstorm desired behaviors or achievements that are worthy of additional payment (e.g., no missing assignments for a week, perfect spelling test, perfect attendance, monthly reading goals, etc.),  along with undesirable behaviors that warrant the students having to pay the bank (missing assignments, put-downs, etc.). Post the results in the classroom.

Part 4:

1. Pass out a pre-made Credit and Debit Notebook to each student. Explain the system to your students. Students should keep their Credit and Debit Notebooks open on their desk throughout the school day.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS
Working with a partner during the computer activity will assist struggling readers and ESL students. Teachers may also choose to visit the Kids Bank Web site as a class to make sure the reading level of the content does not interfere with students learning the money concepts.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Students can be assessed individually or as a class when visiting the Kids Bank Web site. You will also need to assess students' ability to do their assigned classroom jobs effectively.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Whether students complete the Kids Bank Activity in pairs or individually, they should complete the worksheet that goes along with the online activity to ensure effective comprehension of the concepts.
2. It is the responsibility of the students to collect their paychecks at the end of each day and to complete their jobs based on the job descriptions agreed upon by the class.

HOME CONNECTION
Invite parents to come into the classroom and share what they do at their jobs. Encourage them to make a connection to the economic impact their job has on the community.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

• Do your students seem to understand the concept of an economy?
• Do your students need any additional instruction to help them better understand their roles in the classroom economy?
• What things are working well so far?
• What things might you change if you taught this lesson again?
• Are your students excited about earning credits and performing classroom jobs?