Is having a class pet a completely stupid idea?

[Jalapeñomel]

I am hoping to get my 7th graders this year to be more responsible and have more consequences for negative behavior.  One of the things I thought of was to get a class pet.  So because my school is in a little rural city outside Lima, I have easy access to guinea pigs, so to me, this would be the perfect pet (although my principal joked that on the last day we could roast it.  ). 

My idea is that the kids will name them, and then earn points to help take care of the pigs.  Such things as feeding them, cleaning the cage, exercising them, etc., and  if they fuck up, then they can lose their pig privileges.  

I remember that we had a pet snake in 6th grade, and I thought it was the best thing ever.  We raised rats, cleaned the cage, and it really did try to keep me in line.  We all loved that dumb snake too.

S o tell me, worst idea ever, and I am going to be stuck with all the work, or great idea, the kids will step up and be excited to have this opportunity?

[joenali]

Well, before you do it, think to yourself, "can I manage this plan long term or will I forget about and it will fall to the wayside?" If the answer is no, don't do it. If you know you can follow through than go for it.

[verycontrary247]

I don't know if a guinea pig would have motivated a 7th grade me. That probably would've worked better in 4th-5th.

I had a super awesome teacher in 7th grade who had a mini-fridge with soda in it. Good behavior won you fake money that could be traded for a beverage you were allowed to drink in class, a one-time use no homework pass, and some other stuff I can't remember. It was a good system.

[lime]

Honestly, I never think that animals are a great way to teach kids responsibility.

If they lose "pig privileges" then you are stuck doing all the work. If you are ok with that, then great.

[lucky513]

I like the idea of class money better
I had a class that had a treasure chest with toys and candy

[ralphlauren]

Feb 27, 2013 21:07:51 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

I don't know if a guinea pig would have motivated a 7th grade me. That probably would've worked better in 4th-5th.

I had a super awesome teacher in 7th grade who had a mini-fridge with soda in it. Good behavior won you fake money that could be traded for a beverage you were allowed to drink in class, a one-time use no homework pass, and some other stuff I can't remember. It was a good system.

I like what your teacher did.  That is awesome. 

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Feb 27, 2013 21:07:51 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

I don't know if a guinea pig would have motivated a 7th grade me. That probably would've worked better in 4th-5th.

I had a super awesome teacher in 7th grade who had a mini-fridge with soda in it. Good behavior won you fake money that could be traded for a beverage you were allowed to drink in class, a one-time use no homework pass, and some other stuff I can't remember. It was a good system.

I used a similar system when I worked with 6-8th graders. Worked very well, even with the kids on behavior modification plans.

ETA: Hit enter too soon.

[Deleted]

I had a frog in my class when I first started teaching. Eventually a student took the frog for the weekend and kept him. We were okay because that type of incentive didn't work. I also think 7th graders are too old for a class pig.

[chalupabatman]

I imagine some kids would be really motivated to help and others wouldn't. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just something to keep in mind.

Do you think there would be any issues with the fact it is a guinea pig? Would the kids be as open to that as a class pet? You also have to plan what to do with it over weekends etc

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 27, 2013 21:09:54 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

Feb 27, 2013 21:07:51 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

I don't know if a guinea pig would have motivated a 7th grade me. That probably would've worked better in 4th-5th.

I had a super awesome teacher in 7th grade who had a mini-fridge with soda in it. Good behavior won you fake money that could be traded for a beverage you were allowed to drink in class, a one-time use no homework pass, and some other stuff I can't remember. It was a good system.

I like what your teacher did.  That is awesome. 

We cannot do anything that is rewarded by candy or food really. 

I tried the fake money/point last year, and it failed miserably. 

I feel like the kids here are rather immature for their age, at least compared to those that I taught in the US (although it was a very different environment which could account for the maturity levels too). 

[ralphlauren]

What about a reward that is not food or candy?

[Jalapeñomel]

I am open to any and all suggestions.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Instead of food/candy, why not work towards a reward for the class? Or indiviually? Like extra time outside. Or a movie. Or free time on a Friday.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Homework pass.
Extra credit points.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Game day/hour that you could focus on the subject you teach.
Time to work with a partner for those kids that earn it.

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 27, 2013 21:19:01 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

What about a reward that is not food or candy?

Last year I did a reward system where they could gain points to give them a free homework assignment or 20 points on a previous assignment they attempted, early lunch, a free pull from a treasure box, but the kids really didn't care at all.  

I think this has a lot to do with the fact that they don't really strive to get good grades.  They just want to pass, and most of their parents share this sentiment.  There is no motivation to get the 20 (which is an A+ here), they are super spoiled so they get whatever they want at home, and mom and dad have the ability to call and bitch at me if I am not doing what they think I should be doing (like letting little Juan go to the bathroom 5 times during class if he wants to). 

[RoxMonster]

I teach HS, so a little different type of beast, but I don't think this would motivate my kids. I wouldn't like anything where the punishment would mean ME having more work to do (unless you would truly enjoy taking care of the guinea pig). Would you be willing to take it home over school breaks and over the summer?

I know for HS students, candy is a huge motivator/reward, as are things like free late homework pass for one assignment, one free late to class pass, etc.

ETA: Posted while you were, so I now see the no food thing. What about the free late HW passes, free late to class idea, sit with a friend day, etc?

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 27, 2013 21:22:43 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Game day/hour that you could focus on the subject you teach.
Time to work with a partner for those kids that earn it.

Game day is a great idea! 

[ralphlauren]

Feb 27, 2013 21:22:57 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Feb 27, 2013 21:19:01 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

What about a reward that is not food or candy?

Last year I did a reward system where they could gain points to give them a free homework assignment or 20 points on a previous assignment they attempted, early lunch, a free pull from a treasure box, but the kids really didn't care at all.  

I think this has a lot to do with the fact that they don't really strive to get good grades.  They just want to pass, and most of their parents share this sentiment.  There is no motivation to get the 20 (which is an A+ here), they are super spoiled so they get whatever they want at home, and mom and dad have the ability to call and bitch at me if I am not doing what they think I should be doing (like letting little Juan go to the bathroom 5 times during class if he wants to). 

That was such a good idea.  Too bad they did not like it. I would have loved it at that age. 

[thinkofthesoldiers]

In this case, I think a class reward would benefit you. The kids will (or probably will) put pressure on each other to do what needs to be done to get the reward. Start with a small goal (everyone gets their homework done for the next day) and move up to bigger goals as they get better at the small goal.

[Jalapeñomel]

Maybe if I incorporate a point system where they can get individual points and class points. Maybe that will get the other kids to help motivate them to do their homework or participate in class (or just shut up in class, LOL).


EDIT: I posted at the same time TOTS. 

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 27, 2013 21:28:15 GMT -5 kooshball said:

I wouldn't base it on a grade because that might isolate the learning disability folks that just can't get an A no matter what...

This wouldn't have anything to do with grades, just responsibility.  Like if they turn in all of their homework assignments for the week in all their classes, then they get 5 points.  And  if everyone in the class turns in all their homework assignments for a week, they all get double points. 

If they can go without a behavior warning in any of their classes for the week, 5 points.  No one gets a warning, discipline action, everyone gets double points. 

[2boys2danes]

DS2s 3rd grade teacher had a guinea pig and he LOVED that dang pig... its name was Big Momma and he looked after the GP all the time.  THey got to bring it home on weekends once in awhile and it just made his day when it was his turn.  

I think its a cute idea

[tdk2]

In theory, it's fun. It creates great memories for some. To be honest, I hated having the class pet (as a teacher). One more damn responsibility!

Btw jeopardy review day before tests was everyone's favorite- students and mine. Unrelated to q but thought you'd enjoy that as well. Such a fun relaxing day for me, didn't feel as intense as others.

[melindafelinda]

He husband is legit traumatized from a school pet incident when he was a kid.

[speckledfrog]

Feb 27, 2013 23:19:16 GMT -5 melindafelinda said:

He husband is legit traumatized from a school pet incident when he was a kid.

My story involves a hamster named Cuddles, a seizure, and a very teary 3rd grader making a coffin out of an envelope box.