Classroom Management that Doesn't Break the Bank Part 1

I'm a huge fan of classroom economies and have been using and creating them for the past four years.  

 

If you're unsure what I'm talking about, classroom economies are an intensive based type of classroom management system involving fake money that kids can earn and loose money based on behavior, and they can use their money to purchase things within the classroom.

Over the years I've been asked if I feel that I'm bribing my students or teaching them bad habits through monetizing tasks and behaviors instead of relying on intrinsic motivation, and I think the age and perspective of my student is a huge factor in why I feel comfortable using a classroom economy.

I teach 6th grade and my students respond very well to the idea of school as their "job," so getting paid for certain aspects of school (coming to school on time and prepared, being a good roll model to younger students, turning in their homework, and doing their classroom jobs) really resonates with them.

However, there are certain things I won't pay students for like doing their work in class or being respectful to me and other students. They can also get charged a fine (usually $10) if they break our classroom rule of "do nothing to keep others from learning."