It pays to be responsible in our classroom!
I use Dunham Dollars as an incentive program to reward responsible behavior choices. Most importantly, this program is an authentic way for students to learn counting by ones, fives, tens, twenties, adding larger sums, and equivalent sets (five $1 is equal to one $10, etc.)
At the beginning of the year, I set the tone by connecting the earning of money to doing our jobs in a responsible manner. I teach that adults receive payment when they complete their jobs responsibly, and the students' job is to be the best learner they can be. To reach that goal, students need to make responsible choices. I guide the students in creating a list of ways they can earn Dunham Dollars and the value of that responsible choice. Then, we brainstorm a list of ways to spend them. The list for both is below. Please review this list below as your signature for some of the items is required to earn the Dunham Dollars.
The Dunham Dollars they earn is never taken away. The focus is on the positive aspects of being responsible. If a student makes an irresponsible choice, they simple do not earn the Dunham Dollars for that action. We have a quick discussion on learning from the mistake, and the positive choice to make next time. The spending of Dunham Dollars is done each week on Thursdays. Activity based choices occurs during our class meeting time each morning.
If you would like to support this program at home, you could have your child count your real bills. They could practice counting by 1's, 5's, 10's, etc. Or, have them make different combination of equivalent sets (two $5 and ten $1 is equal to one $20). You could then have them create number sentences ($5 + $5 + $10 = $20 or $20 = $5+$5+$10) to match the combinations.
It is my hope that your child finds this program a fun way to learn responsibility and number awareness in mathematics. If you have any questions/concerns/compliments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
At the beginning of the year, I set the tone by connecting the earning of money to doing our jobs in a responsible manner. I teach that adults receive payment when they complete their jobs responsibly, and the students' job is to be the best learner they can be. To reach that goal, students need to make responsible choices. I guide the students in creating a list of ways they can earn Dunham Dollars and the value of that responsible choice. Then, we brainstorm a list of ways to spend them. The list for both is below. Please review this list below as your signature for some of the items is required to earn the Dunham Dollars.
The Dunham Dollars they earn is never taken away. The focus is on the positive aspects of being responsible. If a student makes an irresponsible choice, they simple do not earn the Dunham Dollars for that action. We have a quick discussion on learning from the mistake, and the positive choice to make next time. The spending of Dunham Dollars is done each week on Thursdays. Activity based choices occurs during our class meeting time each morning.
If you would like to support this program at home, you could have your child count your real bills. They could practice counting by 1's, 5's, 10's, etc. Or, have them make different combination of equivalent sets (two $5 and ten $1 is equal to one $20). You could then have them create number sentences ($5 + $5 + $10 = $20 or $20 = $5+$5+$10) to match the combinations.
It is my hope that your child finds this program a fun way to learn responsibility and number awareness in mathematics. If you have any questions/concerns/compliments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Earning Dunham Dollars Spending Dunham Dollars
$1 Parent Initials daily in S.P.I.N. Journal
$1 Returning Important Papers TBA
$1 Parent Initials daily in S.P.I.N. Journal
$1 Returning Important Papers TBA