For immediate release:
January 7, 2003
Tampa, Fla.

For all the excitement, it could easily have been a Sotheby's auction house in London or New York with a Monet original or a Barry Bonds record-breaking home run baseball up for bid.
The locale, however, was the third grade classroom of Independent Day School-Corbett Campus, where students wiggled in their chairs, waving makeshift paddles during vigorous bidding. Used candlesticks, slightly worn paperbacks, costume jewelry, and fragrant soaps were some of the popular items they were eager to purchase - each a treasure in its own right because it would become a memorable holiday gift for a special family member.

"I was really hoping to get these for my dad," said a beaming Scott Hiteman, clutching two glass mugs. Cortney Spagnuolo was thrilled to spend her money on a sequined purse for her mother.

While the money wasn't real, the lessons in economics, mathematics, and individual responsibility were. Third grade teachers Pennie Collins, Jeanne Rivera and Judy Sobel designed the auction to culminate students' efforts in earning classroom currency called "moola" throughout the first trimester.

"Our economics program is a real life simulation of earning, saving, and spending income," said Sobel. "It is a motivational system that rewards students for academic excellence and for being responsible third grade citizens."

Students received compensation each Friday for completed homework, academic participation, classroom jobs, responsible behavior, and quality work. As an introduction to the difference between a cash and cashless society, sometimes students were paid by check, and other times with moola "cash." They recorded their monetary rewards in a check register, and returned it to the class bank. On the day of the auction, every student's checkbook balance was posted. Parents acted as auctioneers, accountants, and gift wrappers and assisted students with the purchase of the new and used items collected within the third grade community during previous weeks.

"Our goal with this program is to incorporate math and economic standards into daily instruction, while familiarizing students with real world functions, such as keeping an accurate balance in a checkbook, and knowing how to fill in a check," said Rivera. "We also want to motivate students to be responsible producers and consumers, and encourage a positive attitude toward class work."


"This approach to economics really empowers students and gives them the opportunity to be independent," said Collins. "They are responsible for earning moola by doing their jobs at school and contributing to the class. They learn to work towards a goal by saving, so they can eventually spend their moola on things they really want for their family."

It's a real life experience that turns used games and trinkets into priceless gifts, and student success into an invaluable lesson.

Founded in 1968, IDS, recently renamed Independent Day School-Corbett Campus, is a fully accredited, non-sectarian, independent school located in northwest Hillsborough County. It serves 500 plus students in grades Pre-K through 8. At IDS, all children experience learning in a nurturing and highly academic environment focused on excellence and developing a positive self-concept. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with over 700 visitors observing and learning from IDS-CC teachers. For more information about IDS visit www.idsyes.com.



Contact: Pennie Collins, Jeanne Rivera, or Judy Sobel, Independent Day School
Telephone: (813) 961-3087