They’re in the money . . . and class

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They’re in the money . . . and class

Tuesday, October 09, 2012 • Sophie Rishworth

AN original idea to tackle truancy and latecomers to class has brought remarkable results for a high school maths teacher.

Gisborne Girls’ High School teacher Chrissy Marshall paid her students to come to class . . . and fined them if they were late or did not show up.

Photocopied “pretend” money was used and the exercise ran for the full 11 weeks of Term 3.

Students were also required to “rent” their desks and chairs, with front-of-class seats the cheapest.

The turnaround was huge, said Miss Marshall.

“Back-dwellers” began to sit up the front and the girls started to come to class on time.

“They loved it. They said it made them want to come to class because they were valued.”

A lot of students had not had success in maths before but attendance, achievement and attitude all suddenly improved, she said.

If the students did not have enough money to pay for a chair and desk, then they would have to sit on the floor.

“They were totally fine with it. They knew the rules. I did get some crazy looks when my principal or the boss walked in but that was all right.”

The initiative also taught them money skills.

“We worked out the cost of rent and bills together as a class, and also had the option of saving up and buying a desk and chair so you were no longer a renter. They were proud house/desk owners, a skill I hope they take into their future.”

Miss Marshall said she was very proud of her students’ commitment and success with the concept throughout the term.

This is her second year of teaching, which is why she is allowed to try “crazy random stuff”, she said.

“I can’t believe how well it worked.”

The idea was born after a discussion Miss Marshall had with her flatmate — also a teacher.

There are plans to run the programme again but this time the teacher will use a more internet-based approach for the high-finance learning rather than actual money-handling.

At the end of last term, left- over money was used at an auction to buy food and products the community had donated.

Girls’ High teachers and local businesses came on board with more than $300- worth of vouchers up for grabs from Cotton On, Bramwells Pharmacy, The Berry Shop, Burger Wisconsin, Burger King, McDonalds, The Kitchen Café, Video Ezy, Subway, Wendys and ASB.

HIGH-FINANCE AT HIGH SCHOOL: Gisborne Girls’ High School mathematics teacher Chrissy Marshall decided to take matters into her own hands to tackle the problem of truancy and lateness with a unique idea that had some remarkable results. She used photocopied play money as an incentive. The leftover pretend money from the class experiment was used at an auction to bid for donated goods. Back row, from left, are students Dominique Ngaira, Karyn Campbell, Alisha Munro; front row Tana Davis, Phoebe Kohunui, Shontelle Kaui, Katy Brimmer and Crystal-Lee Cockery. Picture by Paul Rickard

Comments

AM Pohatu

10:29 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 09, 2012

Excellent I love this

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