I spend a lot of time connecting what we do in the classroom with the world of work. For example, students' supplies are their tools for their current job. If they are unprepared, I remind them that in the working world they would not be able to do their jobs if they forgot their tools. I talk to them about how school is their job and their effort and hard work reflect the success they will have when they enter the working world. Establishing good habits now will bring them rewards in the future. Their Pay Day is when I hand out progress reports or report cards. Their effort is directly reflected in the grades they earned. We discuss how far they can go in the world of work with the pay they earned. Discussions of the workplace are supported by a yearlong effort to teach my students strategies for success in all their classes such as test taking, note taking and listening skills as well as personal goal setting. By the end of the year most are taking responsibility for their performance, which reflects growth and maturity. In junior high this is sometimes a monumental achievement!