Select a list of jobs you want students to do. When selecting jobs, take into account the age and ability of your students. For example, first grade students are capable of straightening the classroom books, but are not capable of setting up the projector. There should be enough jobs for half of the students in the class. Good classroom jobs include someone who checks weather, attendance, line leader, calendar, technology, paper passer and more. Identify the areas, especially during transition times, where a student doing one of the tasks would be beneficial. Create a job and corresponding title to remedy the problem.
Create movable job markers by writing the name of each job on a clothespin. You can easily add or take away jobs as needed.
Create a list of students' names on the poster board. This allows students to visually check the board quickly to see their job and identify the roles of other students in the classroom. The poster board can be decorated as you choose.
Attach the clothespins to the poster board. Hang the poster in an area that is easy to see from multiple points in the classroom.
Introduce the board to students by explaining that, in the classroom, everyone has a job to do aside from learning. Every community needs workers to keep it going. The job board is a way for everyone to keep track of who is in charge of what job. Explain to students how and when it will change and what each job looks like.
Incorporate the job board into the daily routine. Whether it is one of the first things students do, or as part of a pre-existing morning routine, changing the jobs on a daily basis is important. For older students, allowing them to choose one job for the semester or year will help them learn leadership skills.