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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Wonderful Idea Wednesday: Supercharged Leader of the Day


I am linking up with Freebielicious for 
Wonderful Idea Wednesday!

I know everyone has their own way of assigning jobs in their classroom, and, today, I'm going to tell you about my way. It's been working for me for many years and, each year, I give my leader of the day, more and more responsibility, which takes a lot of the pressure off of me.

Here's what I do...

Every day, I choose a name out of the "I'm waiting for my turn!" basket and that is our leader for the whole day. They wear a badge like this...



Being the leader of the day is a very sought after position because this person is in charge of everything that a child could possibly be in charge of. And, not just the usual jobs, like messenger, paper passer, line leader, etc. In addition to the standard leader jobs, he/she also...



Since the leader of the day is in charge of all these tasks, and more, it frees me up to do other things. Even if it's just 2 minutes, that's still 2 valuable minutes for me to do something important, while someone else is in charge. I can check my email, file papers, clean up from an activity, get ready for the next activity, take a drink, or blow my nose. And, I can do these things without worrying about entertaining the children. Transitions have never been easier!

Of course, it takes time to teach the children to be in charge. And I spend valuable time at the beginning of every year, training my students to take on these extra responsibilities. 

When a child is in charge and calling the shots, the rest of the class responds very well to them. The children really learn to respect each other and generally want to please each other and get noticed for their good behavior. Since I spend so much time role modeling how to be in charge, the children can't help but emulate my words and actions. I often hear the leader complimenting their peers on their outstanding behavior and I see them smiling and winking at each other. Yup, even though I may be at my teacher table, writing a note, I'm always paying attention!

So, there you have it! If you put your leader of the day in charge of more than just passing out papers and being a messenger, you will so enjoy all your free time! 

Now, head on over to Freebielicious and link up or read all the other wonderful ideas!

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting this!! I haven't gotten a Leader of the day up and running since I came back to Kindergarten and I wanted to do it this year!!! Thank you for the ideas!!

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  2. I love this idea! Do you have a copy of the badge? That would be wonderful!

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    1. Shoot me an email and I'll send them to you, Josie!

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  3. It is great to give children responsibilities. They need to own their education. I love your ideas.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Beti

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  4. May I get a copy of the badge, too? Thank you! Carpentert@grps.org

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  5. If possible can I get a copy of badges at tricia.k118@gmail.com. Thank you!!

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  6. What a great idea! This is my second year of teaching and I promised myself I would be good about classroom jobs, but I never get the time to practice with every student every day until they get it! I love this idea and I think I might start with 1 leader of the day and then slowly increase it to 2 or 3. I would also love to get a copy of the badges, if possible: amandamaliwauki@gmail.com
    The Teacher's Purple Crate

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  7. I would love a copy of the badge, if possible! katjor9902@gmail.com.

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  8. I would like a copy of the badge too if I can please. This is great. Id like to start this idea too. Thank you. waljs@verizon.net Thank you.

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  9. Can I have a copy of that badge please? I have been meaning to make one. Thanks so so much! Britany. hayesbn@pwcs.edu I love these ideas to add to my leader of the week. I can do leader of the day know.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love to read them!

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