Job Chart

To keep our busy classroom running smoothly, everyone pitches in!  I've created a magnetic job chart to keep track of our employment opportunities. 

The best things about this job chart are that it can be used from year to year, you can customize it with your unique classroom jobs, and it uses many things you may already have lying around!

Materials you need for this project:

• posterboard
• cardboard or cardstock
• ruler
• pencil
• scissors
• permanent markers
• magnetic sheets or magnetic tape
• contact paper (optional)

 How to DIY:

1. Choose the jobs you need to keep your classroom clean and organized (my classroom jobs are listed below).  Also decide how many students should have each job. 
2. Divide your board up into the appropriate amount of sections using pencil and a ruler.  Make sure you include spaces for your job titles and spaces for the cardboard numbers. 
3. Once you are happy with your layout, use permanent markers to go over lines and write in the job titles.
4. Cut cardboard (or thick cardstock)  into rectangles that will fit on your chart. 
5. Write numbers on the rectangles - that way you can reuse the chart every year without writing new student names every fall. 
6. Cut and affix magnets to the rectangles as well as the chart.
7. Cover the nonmagnetic portions of the chart with contact paper for additional durability (optional). 

Once you hang the job chart, your students will love looking for their job posting!  I also have students "apply" for the job they want with a simple application.  I ask them what job they want and why they are qualified.  It's a great way to show them writing for a purpose.  In addition to applying for jobs, I may choose to "fire" students who complete their responsibilities inadequately. I then open up the job for someone on vacation or someone who wants a new job.  We hold open applications only twice a year; however, you could change your classroom jobs as frequently as you like. 

My classroom jobs are:
- calendar - changes our calendar monthly and refreshes the date each day on our board.
- art center - responsible for organizing our art supplies near the sink.
- writing center - responsible for organizing our writing supplies (pens, paper, dictionaries, etc.)
- messenger - brings papers to the office, takes materials to other classrooms, etc.
- garbage collector - puts our two trash cans in the hall at the end of each day for the custodians.
- lunch count - counts lunch choices and resets the clips for the next day.
- sharpener - empties the pencil shavings from our electric sharpener. 
- duster/cleaner - in charge of cleaning supplies during our Friday room cleanings.
- hall monitor - ensures no one leaves items in our hallway cubbies at the end of each day.
- chalkboard - erases the board at the end of lessons and/or at the end of the day.
- librarians - responsible for keeping our classroom library clean and organized.
- paper passers - assist me in passing out work and distributing assignments into mailboxes.
- overhead - in charge of the overhead machine, projector cart, pull-down screen, and the lights.
- newsletter - 2 students write our monthly newsletter (I add notes from me, too). 
- vacation - these are students who have a temporary break from a job.