Welcome to Part 3! Today I am sharing probably the most important tip of the 5-part Start Strong series: Classroom Management. And this isn't your basic, run-of-the-mill clip chart or basic Class Dojo classroom management, no sir! Today I am sharing my Classroom Economy -- the system that has changed the way my classroom runs.
I used to feel like I was constantly reminding students to make good choices. Pick up after yourself. Stay on task. Push in your chairs. Be kind. Come to class prepared. Ad nauseam. And not to mention the stress that came with the complete disaster that was left for me to clean up at the end of the day! The trash cans that needed to be placed outside my classroom. The pencils that needed to be sharpened. The endless papers that needed to be placed in mailboxes. The books in the library that needed to be organized and reshelved. No single teacher can do that by themselves AND also do real teacher things! You know, lesson planning, grading, preparing. The REAL stuff!
Enter the Class Economy. Now this, by no means, was my idea. Teachers have been implementing class econmonies since the beginning of time for all I know. But I do have my own little take on it. And here's how it works:
First, I give my students a very brief lesson on the economy and we brainstorm some things that our economy does for us. Our discussion gets them invested -- and it creates interest!
Then I tell my students that in our classroom, everyone will get to have a job. A job for which they will be paid every day. They actually have to apply for their job -- and some of my jobs require letters of recommendation. Yes -- it's that serious. 🙃
This is just a small example of the jobs I have in my class -- I have many more! But think about all of the things that you have to do at the end of the day to tidy up the room - AND MAKE THOSE THE JOBS. You should not be staying until 5:30 every day cleaning your classroom! Best part -- the kids are happy to do it because they get paid, they are learning responsibility AND they are taking ownership of their classroom. It's a win-win!
Here's where it gets interesting: Every Friday, my students go shopping in our Class Shop during Fun Friday. (Fun Friday is free time for my students at the end of every Friday -- more on that later.) I have "prizes" on my supply list, so parents take care of stocking the shop. (And honestly, once they learn what I'm up to -- they are more than happy to stock it throughout the year if needed!) The merchandise is good, too -- stuff students WANT to buy.
I also offer coupons for purchase as well. Students can buy and use them anytime they want! The coupons are for all things that are FREE.
My spinner is available, too if they want to pay for a spin! I usually use this for a different incentive that ties into academics -- for example, when students earn certain achievements in IXL or earn 100% on a quiz or test, I give them a ticket and on Fridays, I draw a name to spin the wheel. Just a fun little extra that they love!
They have a running receipt that they have to keep while shopping and turn in to my Shop Clerks so that they can update bank accounts as students check out (Class Dojo makes this SUPER simple with their "REDEEM POINTS" feature).
But here's the fun part - my students have to pay rent for their desks at the end of every month -- so if they blow all of their money on shop goodies and don't budget -- they lose shopping AND Fun Friday privileges until they pay me back for their rent. I also tie in a home connection by requiring them to write a letter to their parents to explain their predicament, which has to be signed and returned on Monday. Yipes.
Students can also earn money other ways than just by doing their job. I have a whole list of bonus-worthy behavior and we discuss ideas together on the first day of school. On the flip side, they can also be fined. We also talk about fine-worthy behavior on the first day, too.
Logistically speaking, this could theoretically be a nightmare. Who in the world has time to pass out paper money every day and keep track of shop purchases and bonuses and fines? Not me! So we use Class Dojo. Except in my class, every Dojo point is actually a dollar. We call them our "Bank Accounts". It works out SO nicely and students for sure buy-in! I do wish that Class Dojo would let us add as many points as we wanted to instead of the cap of 5 points -- but I just pay my students per day instead of per week and it works out. I pay my students the same amount for every job just to make it easiest. Actually I'm not the one paying them -- my bankers are. And that Class Shop I was discussing earlier? Yep, my students run it, too. I am hands-off for most of this behavior management system!!
In order to encourage responsible behaviors, I also have my students write a letter to their parents if they lose more than 5 Dojo "dollars" in any given week. They have to get the letter written during Fun Friday -- and I have to approve it before we deem it "complete". It has to be truthful and accurately depict what they had the most trouble with that week. The letter has to be signed and returned on Monday (otherwise, there is a $5 fine for each day that it's late). This isn't to shame them but rather to raise awareness of how their behavior can negatively impact not only their learning, but also the learning of others. It keeps them accountable, helps them understand that there are consequences for every action, and it encourages better behavior as my students move through the year. Once they complete their letter and I approve it, they can rejoin their class for the remainder of Fun Friday.
This is such a great way to teach students all about accountability. So many life lessons! We absolutely love it and I will never not use it.
Because I want this to be easy for you, I’ve included a free list of classroom jobs and bonus-worthy behavior ideas. If you decide a classroom economy is right for your class, I’ve also linked my complete editable Classroom Economy Kit so you don’t have to start from scratch. I've included a money template in case you are one of those types that likes to torture yourself. 😉🫶🏻
I hope this gives you one more idea to help you start the school year strong! I know the beginning of the year can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about classroom management or have a particularly challenging group of students.
One of my favorite things about a classroom economy is that students truly buy in. Instead of relying on constant reminders, they begin taking ownership of their choices. It creates natural opportunities to teach responsibility, accountability, decision-making, and even financial literacy—all while building a positive classroom community.
No system is perfect, but this is one that’s made a lasting difference in my classroom year after year. My students look forward to getting paid, take pride in earning bonuses, and genuinely care about making thoughtful choices.
Here’s to a school year filled with routines that work, students who thrive, and a classroom you’ll love walking into each morning. ❤️
Did you miss Post 1 and 2 from the Starting Strong Series? Click below to read them so you don't miss a thing!
Part 1: Setting Up Your Meet the Teacher Night for Success
Part 2: Student Gift Ideas for Meet the Teacher
Thank you for being here!
