Teacher Debbie Quiles Keeps a Deal with Her Students
A deal is a deal, so Washington Primary School third grade teacher Debbie Quiles hosted a party at her home for her class and their parents. The affair was a reward for the youngsters reading more than a 1,200 books during the recently completed school year. 
Ms. Quiles made a deal with the 21 boys and girls in her class: Read at least a thousand books by the end of June and be treated to a sumptuous barbeque at the teacher’s eastern Suffolk house. Both sides kept their end of the bargain.
A sliding scale was used to equalize book totals. A book of one to 25 pages was assigned one unit on the scale. For each additional 25 pages, another unit was given. For example, a book of between 76-100 pages was credited as four units. “This method encouraged the students to read larger chapter-type books,” Ms. Quiles explained.
“The students were extremely motivated and worked together to accomplish this goal,” the teacher said. “Everyone in the class contributed to the successful outcome. In the past I challenged some of my other third grade classes and had allowed them to turn me into an ice cream sundae and hot dog, but opted for a less messy experience these past few years!”
The youngsters traveled to their teacher’s Medford home on a recent Sunday for the three hour party. Parents and guardians accompanied the boys and girls. Traditional summer BBQ fare was featured, including hot dogs and hamburgers, various snacks and ice cream. Students brought an edible item with them, including fruit and chips. Ms. Quiles’ own parents were there, too, and served as BBQ chefs.
“They were kept busy during that time on the trampoline, swing set, at the crafts table where they painted a wind chime and [they] enjoyed a water balloon toss with their parent or guardian,” Ms. Quiles explained. They also had simple fun, like running through the sprinkler. All but five students attended the afternoon party.
“I was presented with a beautiful laminated poster by my class depicting their favorite “Quiles classroom memory,” Ms. Quiles said. “Each child drew what they remembered from my class. Those drawings were then made into note cards. Inside the unique note card was a special message from each student. The class also presented me with a tub full of junk food and a 12-pack of Coke - my daily diet!”
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