Starting the first few weeks of school, your child will participate in a year-long economy unit in which students earn credits and debits while maintaining a class bank and store. Each week (pay period), students earn money for classroom jobs, completing homework and class work, coming to school on time and following rules. Debits are given to students who break classroom rules (laws) in our community of learners. At the end of each week, students add up their credits and subtract their debits to calculate their weekly total.

Every student has their own wallet and credit and debit log. The students will calculate their totals at the end of each week.  They will then turn in their form and be given money for their wallets.

The play money can be used to purchase items at our classroom store once a month on a Friday. Parents may be asked to help run our store. The class store is ultimately used to teach economic real world concepts in math that include decision making, supply and demand, spending etc. Students can of course choose to save their money and purchase a more expensive item from the store at a later date. As students shop, they use shopping logs to keep track of what they buy. They record the item, quantity, and the cost before totaling their final bill. The cashiers will double check the shopping log, and the shopping log becomes the receipt.

Ways to Earn money

* $5.00/week – Attendance
(if absent $1 can be earned back if make-up work is turned in on due date).

* $5.00/week – Behavior
Students earn full amount for staying on green (if yellow lose $1, if red lose all for the week).

* $1.00 – Homework
Students earn $1 for homework assignments turned in on time.

* $5.00/week – Classroom Job
Students earn full amount for completing their job and meeting the expectations.  Money can be subtracted if job was not completed well and as needed.  Students will have a job every other week.

* $1.00 – Bonus
Students can earn additional bonus dollars for displaying exceptional behavior.  Such behaviors may include: helping a neighbor without being asked, working quietly, being a great example, model behavior, winning a class game, etc.

* $10.00 – Character recognition
Students earn money for being chosen as Dolphin of the Week

* $20.00 – AR
Students earn money for reaching 100% of their goal with 80% comprehension.

* $20.00 – Multiplication Sundaes
Students earn money for mastering all the multiplication facts.

Ways to Lose money

* $1.00 – Potty Pass (P)
Students get two free passes a day and pay $1 for each additional trip taken during class time.

* $1.00 – No name (N)
Students need to buy back a no name paper.

* $1.00 – Interrupting/Other Behavior (B)
Students can lose money for talking while the teacher or another student is talking, interrupting, talking during quiet work time, touching or bothering others, disrespect, etc.

* $1.00 – Landfill Fine (L)
Students pay for a messy desk/locker.

* $1.00 – Not being responsible (R)
Students will pay if they forget to stack chair, put away supplies, etc.

* $2.00 – Problem in special (S)
Students lose money if they were disrespectful during special

* $10.00 – Sub trouble (ST)
Students lose money for being disrespectful when we have a guest teacher.

Key points:

• Students are responsible for their own wallets.
• Payday is on Friday. Students will (with teacher help) fill out their credit/debit logbook and can then take it to the bank to get paid.
• Students can trade in money on payday also.
• Store will be open once a month (Store Friday).  Store will be set up by and run by volunteers.
• Shopping log will be used to track student spending and to determine the popularity of different items (collected).