Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

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Classroom jobs for students is a popular way of structuring tasks within a classroom. Kindergarten classroom jobs can take on a life of their own depending upon the teacher, teaching style and school building.

What types of jobs should a teacher have in her classroom? Well, I may not be able to answer this exactly for you, but I can hopefully give you some ideas by sharing mine and what works {and what doesn’t}.

KindergartenWorks :: Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

Elementary classroom jobs are a classic way for teachers to involve students in creating a sense of community, give them a sense of pride and teach responsibility. Plus, it can also alleviate the amount of work {truly} for a teacher.

Student jobs in the classroom can also be a source of frustration for the teacher when students are paired with jobs that are not a good fit.

Mostly I like them, LOVE them, when they work as intended but dislike figuring out the most sensible way of following through with jobs when not performed or completed.

So, with that being said, this is my opinion and you can share yours in the comments below!

What didn’t work

When I began teaching I had no bulletin boards {seriously} so I couldn’t create the typical “classroom helper” display that I had always seen as an example. Plus, who am I to be one that simply follows the example of every teacher before me.

Not my style, right?

So, I came up with the concept of choosing names, like picking sticks during our calendar time. The student chosen would complete the job card that I held up and place a picture-icon job card in their behavior pocket as a reminder for the day.

Every day they’d choose a new name and pass their job on.

KindergartenWorks :: Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

Why it didn’t work

Plain and simple it was the most difficult to follow through with because a student could go for a very long time without a job. This would make the likelihood of said students completing the job less likely since it wasn’t habitual or routine.

Therefore I had to be very good at reminding. Like every day.

While it “worked,” it didn’t really work for me. I value building independence much more. I stuck with this system for quite a few years because I couldn’t figure out a better way.

What does work

After reading Monica Schroeder’s post on how she rotates classroom jobs after 2 weeks and students “train” each other how to complete the tasks, I was sold.

Secondly, I found the concept of posting jobs above their cubbies ideal for me and my kinders. Out of the way and a great visual reminder!

Now we have “training day” every couple of weeks and it makes me smile when I can direct a student to another to ‘get trained’ should they have questions on when or how to complete the task.

KindergartenWorks :: Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

If I have a student who isn’t as proficient at a task, I can usually recall {since they keep the jobs for longer than a day} a more reliable one to buddy up with or recall someone who’s completed the job well before to be a replacement trainer.

This works well with students who have exceptions and different needs.

KindergartenWorks :: Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

I use velcro squares on the ends of the jobs I printed. My kindergarten classroom jobs printable isn’t super exciting, it is just what works for us.

The velcro holds the jobs in place and last all year despite pulling things in and out of cubbies multiple times a day.

KindergartenWorks :: Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

I numbered my jobs so that way I could have a student eventually help rotate them left to right and top to bottom and keep them in order.

This also helps us keep track if a student switches a job for a day as a reward coupon choice. I use it to take out jobs should the number of students in our classroom fluctuate.

KindergartenWorks :: Classroom Jobs for Kindergarten {Free Printable}

I also reward students with smelly spots for doing jobs without reminders since I find this very valuable! Inquiring readers want to know the list of jobs, eh?

Here is the classroom job list for my kinders… I prepare for 27. {{Eep!}}

Classroom jobs list

  1. change centers (rotate names)
  2. morning checker (who is absent/didn’t register lunch count)
  3. color checker (counts number of green days for a reward coupon)
  4. table washer #1 (lunch) – these are spaced out so that each table at lunch will always have a washer
  5. projector (turns on/off with remote)
  6. lunch baskets (rolls in/out for lunch)
  7. sandwich (counts # of sandwiches for lunch count)
  8. hot lunch (counts # of lot lunches for lunch count)
  9. ball chairs (ensure ball chairs are orderly)
  10. closet (checks closet at end of day)
  11. table washer #2 (lunch)
  12. folder checker (checks papers in student folders have been filed properly)
  13. library books (returns to library each morning)
  14. lunch cards (returns cards from hot lunch purchases to cubbie pockets as pictured above)
  15. computers (turns laptops on/off)
  16. messenger (delivers a laminated pocket to office daily with any notes collected from my mailbox, flyers, return/tardy slips, etc.)
  17. table washer #3 (lunch)
  18. marble giver (whole group reward/incentive)
  19. sandwich tags (ensures those ordered sandwiches have a tag for easy lunchtime identification)
  20. coupon organizer (returns used reward coupons)
  21. table washer #4 (lunch)
  22. math zones (flips workboard poster daily)
  23. magnets (returns lunch/attendance magnets at end of day)
  24. substitute (fills in when someone’s absent)
  25. cushions (ensures library center cushions are orderly)
  26. on vacation (takes a break)
  27. on vacation (takes a break)

[terms of use]  [downloading help]

I’m still working on finding the most sensible consequences to implement if a job is more time-sensitive because I think students should learn to be relied upon. There is great satisfaction for them to learn to be accountable.

It’s a life-long success principle and it starts here. Now, it’s your turn – tell me your thoughts!

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

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6 Comments

  1. Yes, the jobs on the cubbies would help give a sense of ownership, as well as act as a reminder. I love this! Plus it would help as a space saver, and cut down on the number of separate postings needed. Some classrooms have limited wall space, and some just have too much stuff on the walls.

  2. Nevermind- I figured it out! For anyone else struggling to get the download I had to download Dropbox before I could view the tags. Then after downloading dropbox I could download the tags as a PDF document. Sorry for the confusion- maybe this post will help others that are struggles to download them.

    1. Hi Molly, in the top right hand corner you can also choose “direct download” from the download menu. Though I can’t guarantee that it works on every school server 🙂
      Thanks for sharing what worked for you.
      – Leslie

  3. I’ve never seen jobs posted on students’ cubbies. Since my students keep their jobs for a week, this would be great for my classroom. I love how it saves space but is also great for the children- imagine how they must feel seeing their own job right there on their cubbies multiple times per day.

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