[mshicks]

Hi all,

I've been reading the posts on various boards about classroom economies and now I want to create on in my classroom. I know many people use the credit/debit/checks system. However, I want to incorporate coins into my economy to give my second graders more hands on experience with counting money, making change, etc. Does anyone else out there use coins in their classroom economy that would be willing to share how they set it up?

[Steph]

Hi! I do use coins in my classroom economy. Second graders really need the practice with changing coins, counting money, and equivalent amounts! Students get paid 4 cents per day and they must always have the least number of coins possible in their containers. This way, we're trading pennies for nickels after the second or third day. I pay them based on behavior, homework completion, kindness, jobs, etc. A penny here or there adds up. They also have to pay me if behavior, homework, etc. is not monitored. Every other week I open a classroom store and they can shop.

I make them count their money before they come up and know how much they have to spend. Also they need to know if they will get change back and we practice counting how much. Once I've into'd rounding we work that in too.

Hope that gives you an idea. It takes a lot of time, but it's good skill work.

Steph

[mshicks]

That sounds similar to what I want to do. Where do the students keep their coins until it is time to shop? Also, what kinds of items do you have for your students to purchase? Thanks for your help.

[beachteach]

Thank you for all your responses! Here is what I am thinking:
5 cents per hw assignment (which will be a dime if all the hw is completed)
5 cents for staying on green and 2 for yellow
maybe 5 to 10 cents for coming to school each day (what do you think????)
random amounts for:
clean desk checks
kind behavior
hallway behavior

I won't take money away but maybe have a student pay 5 cents if they need a pencil. The losing pencils drives me nuts. This might help!

I am also going to have one of my weekly jobs a banker. I am hoping this does not get too time consuming.