Using Class Dojo as a Classroom Economy!
So what is Class Dojo? It’s a website that you log-in to from a computer (they also have free apps for iphones and ipads!)– you create a class. If you have 1 class, that’s fine. If you have 7 classes– that’s also fine. You can make as many classes as you need. You can input student names and give them little monster characters (my kids love picking these out). Here are a few examples:
Then you can set up “reward points” and give them out during class. There is also a way to give negative points– but I always try to find something positive! Anyway, here is how I use it with an economy system in my classroom:
1. I begin each Monday by clearing out student points (everyone starts fresh at 0).
2. I hand out points throughout the week based on behavior.
3. On Friday afternoons I hand out fake “Dojo Dollars” to match point value. For example, if John Doe earned 12 points that week, he gets $12.
4. Students can trade in Dojo Dollars for fun/free rewards on my reward posters (which I post in a bulletin board in my room).
5. I keep track of weekly points earns using a little excel chart with student names.
I love the Dojo Dollars because it doesn’t require me to constantly keep track of/subtract points. Plus they love the feeling of going “shopping”! I always tell my kids– if you lose your money I can’t repay them– to hold them more responsible.
Here is my bulletin board:
For my “100 Points” club– there is a way on Class Dojo to check overall points earned. When a student has reached 100 points– I have printed out/laminated mini Dojo characters– they get to pick one! I will write their name on it and staple it to the board. (This is new for me this year– but I’m excited!)
Here are my Dojo dollars– all ready to go!
Click the pictures below to purchase your own set of templates and design to your fancy!
Hope you can utilize these items in your classroom and make management more exciting and fun!
I love Class Dojo, Anna! Those dojo dollars are brilliant 🙂
I use it and so do some of the encore teachers! We can "share" our dojo with other members and they can pull it up for consistency. Easy for subs to use too!
I love using class dojo too. I've been thinking how I would better use it this year, and I think you just helped me figure that out! 🙂
Dojo Dollars!? Great idea!
I used class dojo with my second graders and I loved it!!! I am excited to try it this year with my 5th graders and I am excited to use the new class dojo group feature.
I just started using DoJo at the end of the school year this past year. The kids loved it and worked really hard to earn points. It was a life saver to help behavior at the end of the year. 🙂
I love using Class Dojo and am looking for new ideas for this year! 🙂
I use Class Dojo in my third grade classroom, but I don't think I use it to its full potential. Fingers crossed that I win the Class Dojo resources!!!! I love that Class Dojo is continuing to change and add new features and that you can change the "point" headings – Homework, No homework, etc.
I have played with it, but need to really start using it.
The Dojo Dollars idea is genius! I have so many teacher friends that need that product!
Stephanie
First Grade Bangs
I have a question. If you reset the bubbles, how do you later access the totals they would have accumulated? I'm new to this.
Thanks in advance!
Love it. Thank you. I use dojo and this sounds like it will make it more fun for the students!
I am interested to know how you find out how many points a student has earned altogether if you clear it each week.
I just found this out! If you click on each individual student's story and select "see more," you should see the "donut." There is a drop down menu to choose from on the left and the very last option is "all time." I'm hoping they come out with a way to see ALL student's all time points in one spreadsheet. Hope this helps!
Is it difficult to keep track of their points weekly? Do you just keep track of the points gained each week or do you also subtract when they spend money? Sorry if my questions is confusing! I am really excited about using class dojo!
I don't find it difficult to keep track. At the end of the week I'll just add their weekly total to the number on the back of their debit card (or pay them the appropriate amount in fake money)– then when they buy something they either pay with their fake money or we will subtract it from their total on the backs of their cards (great way to review subtraction!) I hope this helps explain a little better!