When it comes to assigning classroom jobs to students, it’s important to take your entire class list into consideration, not just those classroom helpers who are naturals at handing out worksheets or erasing the whiteboard. Are you looking for ideas to get your job assignments planning under way for the school year?
You’ve come to the right place!
The Teach Starter teacher team has sat down, put our heads together and created a list of tips for assigning student jobs based on what we’ve found work best for us! Maybe you’re looking for new classroom job ideas. Then again, maybe you know exactly what needs to be done, but you still want a few tips on how to assign roles for students. Either way, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Classroom Jobs Are Important
Classroom jobs are a boon for teachers — your students can help take the burden off you. But they’re also an important part of the learning experience for your students. Classroom jobs give your students buy-in on the learning process, helping them to feel like they’re a part of the classroom and empowering them to take on more responsibility.
If we want to teach students to be accountable for themselves, their belongings, and their learning environment, we have to trust them with responsibility. Students feel capable when they have a sense of power and control over their learning environment and when they are making a contribution to the smooth running of their classroom.
Our job is to nurture self-worth and self-esteem by giving our students responsibility and providing them the opportunity to feel pride in their accomplishments. Read on to find out how to transform your classroom through trust.
How to Successfully Assign Classroom Jobs for Students
Advertise the Roles
Tell the students you have noticed that there are lots of jobs that need to be done in the classroom to keep it an organized, safe, and effective learning environment. Ask the students to think of other reasons why it is helpful to keep a tidy and organized classroom.
Draw out from your discussion that it helps us to look after our belongings, find the things that we need, and focus on our learning.
List Out the Available Classroom Jobs
Make a class list of classroom jobs that need to be completed. Thinking of enough jobs to assign one duty per student is a good idea. Your job list will be unique and vary over the years, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Librarian — This student can help keep your classroom library neat and tidy.
- Messenger — This helper can take messages to the main office or other teachers.
- Classroom calendar helper
- Quiet mouse — When you call for quiet, have your Quiet Mouse stand at the front and hold up a quiet symbol so the class knows their voices should be at zero.
- Chair monitor
- Equipment helper
- Return specialist — Your return specialist can be counted on to help pass back graded papers.
- Line leader and/or caboose
- Technology helper
- Teacher’s assistant
- Electrician — This student can turn the lights off when your class exits the room.
Check out this printable classroom helpers bulletin board set for more ideas of jobs for students. To get more student buy-in on the process, you can also brainstorm a list as a class!
Accept Job Applications
We love the idea of asking your students to apply for classroom jobs because it ups the ante of accountability.
Pass out a Classroom Job Application Template, and see the job applications fly in. The key thing to focus on during this step is the students’ understanding and appreciation of why each job is important and what valuable skills they will be demonstrating while completing them.
Assign Your Classroom Helpers
Before you announce the jobs in your classroom, hold a formal class meeting to describe each job and reinforce the values of responsibility, accountability, and trust.
Remember to explain to your class that you will do your best to match their first or second job choice. However, in cases where this isn’t possible, the jobs will be assigned on a rotational basis, and they will be able to rotate into their preferred job soon!
Set Up a Classroom Jobs Bulletin Board
Create accountability and keep students on track with their responsibilities with a bulletin board where they can check in, and so can you (hey, we all need a reminder now and then).
Hold “Performance Reviews”
Hold regular performance reviews sooner rather than later. Observe your students closely, and praise them for doing their job well. If students struggle to perform their job well, ask them if they need support and offer guidance.
A Final Word on Classroom Jobs
Teaching responsibility and trusting our students with classroom jobs is all part of our leadership role as a teacher. We guarantee that if you successfully implement a classroom job system, you will not only reduce your workload but also experience an almost instant shift in the classroom atmosphere as your students rise to the challenge and enjoy a feeling of importance.
If you haven’t already set up a classroom job system, it’s time to get on board. If you already have one, but it’s not effective, try a reboot and a refresh.
Sometimes, a relaunch is all that is needed. Go forth and delegate!
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