Jobs

This is my first year teaching 2nd grade. In the beginning of the school year, I asked myself jobs or no jobs? I decided that I would have classroom jobs. Next year, no jobs. The reason being, that this summer I am going to research and prepare for a student led classroom. Instead of assigning jobs, my goal will be to teach students to think and act independently and responsibly. Depending on what grade I am teaching, this may be reconsidered...

Back to this year... I tried to come up with tasks that were important and that students could complete entirely independently. For example, "Tech Director". The tech director is responsible for all things tech - i.e. charging iPads and assisting with the Smartboard. I began with reading the title and description of each job to the class. The kids were pumped! Some jobs were much more alluring than others. Everyone gasped when the coveted line leader position was announced. 

Instead of randomly assigning jobs, I decided to create a job application. Students would need to complete the job application and apply for their job. Upon reflecting, I wish that I would have taken the time to have the kids "interview" with me. Too excited and too nervous to jump right in to the school year. 

The original application required students to record their personal information: name, address, phone number, and birth date. Students also had to write which job they were applying for. Most importantly, they had to note why they would be good for this job. Why should I hire them? 

This was way too much work for the kids, initially. Many did not know their personal information and struggled greatly to complete the application. I tossed the application and had students record the following information on a blank piece of paper: name, date, positions applying for, and why they would be good at the desired position. This was much more reasonable and realistic. However, I, again, wish that I would have taken the time to practice the information until they knew it all and kept practicing on each application. Note - students applied for jobs at the 1st of each month. They held their position for the month, unless they were fired. Students could be fired if they were not doing their jobs or were inappropriate. For example, if the line leader was running down the hall. 

Here are some of the applications that I received:

"I want to be paper monitor. I will be quick and not disturbing."

 "I will be a good messenger because I won't talk in the hallway." 

In the future, if I were to have classroom jobs, I would definitely have student complete a job application and interview process.