Columbus second grader Darrius spoils his little red-
and-white hedgehog. He treats his Desk Pet, Knuckles, to ice cream cones and other delights. He even takes him on adventures. Knuckles is one of a brood of Desk Pets individually owned and cared for by second- and third-grade students in Jamie McElhiney’s class at Summit Academy Community School – Columbus.
McElhiney says her students are fanatical about their Desk Pets, which she introduced to them last year as part of the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. The children indulge their bitty eraser pets with snacks, trips across the globe and different cultural experiences, which they earn for demonstrating positive behavior, following classroom rules and participating in lessons.
The giraffes, squirrels, elephants and other pets, each nestled under a clear, palm-size globe, are not just leading the way to students’ positive behavior, but to their mastery of basic mathematics skills, cultural discussions and currency understanding. McElhiney says she has enjoyed listening to her students’ lively discussions about their pets traveling to faraway lands such as Asia and Europe, which they learned about through reading. The Desk Pets are also inspiring students to write creatively. McElhiney says each of her students has a journal for storytelling and writing prompts related to their pets, which has encouraged imaginative writing and self-expression.
“It is so cute. I’ve seen so much creativity and imagination from my students,” says McElhiney.
At the start of the school year, the students used their newly earned coins to purchase a pet and its home, a globe, along with a setting that could range from a beach to a ball field. As the students continue to earn coins, they can buy their pets anything from toys to tulips.
“The spontaneous reward system reinforces good habits and keeps students motivated,” McElhiney says. She adds that her students receive increased increments of time with their pets during recess or at the end of the school day, after they complete key subjects: reading and math. During the rest of the day, the pets go to daycare, where they will not present distractions. McElhiney hopes her students’ excitement over their Desk Pets leads to their improved attendance as well.
Principal Cheryl Elliott says her Summit Academy – Columbus schools’ PBIS program, led by Behavior Specialist Rebecca St. Clair, spans from kindergarten to 12th grade. Through the program, students receive rewards for demonstrating core values of respect, full participation, safety, honest feedback, advocacy of lifelong learning, innovation and creativity, and service to others.