THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502210071
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
You probably won't see them at Sotheby's in New York or London, but at Windsor Middle School recently ``boo-boo bunnies'' were the hottest item on the auction block.
Sixth graders were grabbing the fleecy critters - designed to hold an ice cube for nursing a bump, scratch or other ``boo-boo'' - and they paid as much as $3,000 each. With their hard-earned, albeit fake, money.
The auction was part of an incentive program for Windsor Middle sixth graders. The idea is to pay students for their hard work and good deeds and to reward them by allowing them to buy small items.
And it has made a difference in grades and behavior for most of the 160 sixth graders, says Regina Hobson, the teacher who came up with the idea.
``We have several students who have really turned around, especially with their behavior,'' Hobson said in a recent interview. ``They know they get $100 for an A - and they have to pay $50 if they fail.''
Adrienne, known by her classmates as A.J., was happy during the last auction. If she couldn't get a real animal, she'd settle for a toy.
``I won't have to feed these,'' she said, grinning as she surveyed the six tiny rabbits on her desk.
A.J. had nearly $7,000 when she started. The bulk of her fortune was spent on the rabbits and a couple of candy bars.
But that was all right. All she had to do was keep getting good grades, doing her homework, behaving in class and returning signed papers.
By the end of the next nine-week period, she knew she'd have enough saved to add to the bunny bunch.
``If they have the most money when the auction rolls around, they can get just about anything they want,'' Hobson said.
Anything includes everything - from boo-boo bunnies and baseball cards, candy and gum to jump ropes, puzzles, jewelry, cosmetics, stationery, pencils, pens, crayons, small toys and other goodies.
The last auction, early this month, was the second of four planned for the school year, and it was just as successful as the first, Hobson said.
``Spend it now,'' she said, acting as auctioneer. ``We start all over again for a new nine weeks. So spend it now!''
They earn it through good behavior, good grades, participation and helpfulness. They lose it through fines, which are enforced for bad behavior, poor grades and missing work.
The Windsor Middle School currency is copied onto paper of various colors and looks like Monopoly money. It's handed out to the students based on their performance in several areas.
``You owe the bank $100, and they're trying to collect,'' Hobson the auctioneer told a student. ``Do you have it? Then pay the bank, and pick up your merchandise.''
Therese Wyche had more than $7,000 when the bidding started. After spending a little over $3,000 for a 500-piece puzzle and a candy bar, she laid down her bid sheet and pulled out her calculator. Counting the money carefully, she figured she had more than $4,000 to keep bidding on more items.
``This not only rewards the kids, it teaches them responsibility,'' Hobson said. ``They have to keep up with their own money. If they lose it, we don't replace it.''
Although teachers have replaced a few bucks that went through the wash, she added - but only if the students could come up with the crumpled remains.
Auction items are donated mostly by parents, who have been very supportive, Hobson said. Parents also are invited to attend the auctions and be involved by being cashiers, bankers and guest auctioneers.
A few local businesses - such as Dairy Queen, Burger King and Windsor's new Subway sandwich shop - also have gotten in on the action by donating coupons for free food and drinks. Hobson said she expects to get more businesses involved.
Count Assistant Principal M.L. Ford as an auction supporter, too. He donated a coupon allowing a student to take over his job for an hour.
``I'm not coming to school that day,'' one teacher said, rolling her eyes.
After an auction, any unspent funds are returned to the teachers so the game can start all over again.
Hobson said the game builds self esteem for working hard. It calls for the continuous adding and subtracting of money during the entire year. That builds math skills, she said.
It allows teachers to reward hard-working students. Teachers can also use the money as a penalty by fining students for such things as missing work, being unprepared for class and talking.
``It makes a difference if you can tell them to put a hundred-dollar bill on the corner of their desk, and they know it will be gone if they misbehave,'' Hobson said.
And the teachers are able to reward students as a group for such things as moving through the hallways quietly, walking in a straight line, keeping their area in the cafeteria clean.
``The program has benefits for the students as well as the teachers,'' Hobson said. ``The students feel rewarded for hard work, and the teachers can use the program as a reward system and as a management tool.'' by CNB