When I started teaching, I had the cutest job board for my First Graders. It was a large tool kit with names on wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. I loved it. The kids loved it.
For about two seconds.
The problem for ME?
1. Organization. I never rotated it like I should have and kids would keep same jobs forever. I'm pretty organized but I just never had the time to put into maintaining it.
2. I often had to create jobs that pretty much weren't that great or needed to be done occasionally just so everyone would have one.
The problem for my students? They complained. A lot. "When do I get to be line leader?" "When can I be the messenger?" "No fair." "I never ever get to sharpen the pencils."
I know it's a small problem to have in life but it honestly stressed me out. My sister, who teaches Kindergarten, introduced me to ONE or TWO helpers a day! My problems were over.
Just.
Like.
That.
I prefer two helpers a day...My Cool Cats! They do EVERYTHING needed that day. This way, they pretty much get to experience all the cool jobs every 10-12 days depending how many kids are in your class. (They take turns being line leader/caboose each time we leave room.)
In the beginning of the year, I go over the rules and have them color in a cat after I type names in. In my packet, you can have kids color cats or print out ones ready to go. At the end of the day, I let the kids take a certificate and use special crayons or markers to color in. Just another way parents can see what their children are up to in school that day.
An added bonus: this takes up so much less space in my teeny tiny room!
It honestly takes 10 seconds to implement each day. After we say the Pledge, I tell them it's time for our "Cool Cats of the Day." They give me a light drumroll. After I pull each name, the kids give a little meow. It cracks me up. Every. Single. Time.
For those of you that can have a rotating job board and maintain it...hats off to you! For the rest of you, I feel your pain!
Have a great day!