Rationale for Using Classroom Helpers:
Using the classroom helper or job chart will help the teacher to maintain fairness when delegating responsibility. Too many times I see teachers use a job chart as a reward or punishment, which should not at all be. When selecting students to do a job, all students should have an equal chance to participate. This will increase their sense of responsibility and commitment to themselves. The idea is simple, to make day to day activities in the classroom easier for the teacher, but, when used consistently and fairly, all students will have an opportunity to mature through the process.
I have given an example of how to promote responsibility in the circle time helper, here.
When Setting Up a Classroom Job Chart:
- Think of jobs most important to you in the classroom. For example, some teachers use a computer helper, others do not. You do not have to set up jobs the way everyone else does, it's your class.
- Set up job descriptions for each job and make them known to the student. For an older class, write the job description on index cards, laminate and post next to the job. For a younger class use magazine pictures showing a person doing the job. Let the students know that if they do not do their helper job correctly and with respect, then they will lose the job.
- Just as in a real job, reward students with a "job well done" award.
- If you have a student that consistently struggles with completing the job as described, then just as in a real job, pull the student aside to talk about it. Issue a warning. If necessary, remove the student from the job for the week, but do not give the job to another student, do it yourself. The reason being, you do not want the other students to label the student as inept or "bad." If the student wants to return to the job, then he or she must give you a rationale as to why. This is rarely necessary, but may promote a sense of commitment inside the student.
- Teach students that it is OK to ask for help.
- Make the chart original, or handmade. For example, make a pair of jeans from blue construction paper with paper pockets. Write each student's name on a craft stick and put the craft stick inside the pocket of the assigned job. Another one is, make a familiar positive character that students recognize, such as Little Bill, or Clifford the Big Red Dog (make it age appropriate). The students will love that it is handmade and what they love, they respect.
- Keep track- use a rotating schedule so that each student has an equal chance of doing a job.
- Be consistent and stick to the schedule. My students are well aware that Monday is the day we change
jobs.
- Evaluate the need for a job. You may find that you no longer need a job, or need to add one, just communicate the changes to the students. Again, this makes them feel a sense of responsibility, because they are a part of the process.
To learn more about establishing classroom routines, click here.