Thread: Just a small quandry...suggestions?

Everyone should have such a problem...
I was given the gift of a lovely new CD at Rakassah after I purchased one from a musician whose work I enjoy and perform.
He was kind enough to give me the extra when I mentioned that my class always enjoys his music.
So I have this extra copy and I haven't a clue how to give it to one...just one student. To make matters ticklish...one of my students was nearby and kept urging me to have a 'contest' in class (like a 'best shimmy' etc) so one student could win it.
While I think that SOUNDS fun, the very last thing that I want is to cause or encourage competition between the dancers.
So...any suggestions? I have a CD and a poster to share....w.:
Gia

Why not save it and use it as a raffle prize at your next Hafla? If the students dont know it was a gift you could sell it to one of them, or perhaps even offer it up here on bhuz. :)

Thanks Shirin...maybe I will wait and raffle...that could work nicely!
I couldn't, in good conscience, sell it...it was a gift from this musician so that I could share it with my students...AND...as I mentioned...one student heard the entire conversation and knows that it was offered to me for this purpose...,f:: bad karma to sell!
Gia

Id say raffle.

Definitely a drawing of some kind. I give out door prizes at all of my student parties -- some nice ones, like an extra BDSS DVD I ended up with, sometimes silly ones, like a belly-dancing troll -- and my students love them. I also give out coupons for a discount on the next class session. My students get so excited, even when the prizes are silly!

If a drawing is too much work (I use those two-part tickets, and a roll lasts forever), you could give it to the student who drives the farthest to your class, or the one who's been with you the longest.

P.S. I think you're smart to avoid a contest or competition.

Thank you!
A raffle it is! I think I may actually hold the prize(s) for my troupe rehearsals...it'll give them even more incentive to show!!!
Gia

Here's a 'nicer' competition idea. I recently read on another discussion board about a teacher who holds a student essay contest every few terms. It's a lovely idea - get the students to tell you what bellydance means to them, how it has improved their lives, etc. She posted one inspiring response that she'd received, and I liked it so much, I'm running an essay contest of my own this term. I'll be offering a prize (free classes), plus publishing the best entries in my student newsletter.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Here's a 'nicer' competition idea. I recently read on another discussion board about a teacher who holds a student essay contest every few terms. It's a lovely idea - get the students to tell you what bellydance means to them, how it has improved their lives, etc. She posted one inspiring response that she'd received, and I liked it so much, I'm running an essay contest of my own this term. I'll be offering a prize (free classes), plus publishing the best entries in my student newsletter.

Good luck with that! Sounds fun...but I am really very much against any kind of competition between students, I think too many already have a competitive spirit and giving my 'blessing' to more competition sends the wrong message to my students.
Gia

essay writing would freak half my class out. either cause they dont want or like to write, or cause like me they are academics and they prefer BD to be a hobby without even more "papers".

i'd say raffle, or drawing

if your students had not overheard it, i would have kept it as a gift at some point for like a student who drives me to gigs, or otherwise helped me out with something

~*Muwahahaha!*~ I say go for the competition. Competition is what pushes us to do better, stretch and strive to achieve. It works in the animal kingdom... Not that lions hold raffles but I think you know what I mean. Go with your personality though, if you're not the kind of person to use competition in class then there's no reason to break character now.

Yours in the Dance,
Genisis

Competition serves to motivate some...but it also can easily cause feelings of inadequecy in a classroom setting and, as I said before, I fear would set the stage for division amongst students.
I actually solved the problem by deciding to put the item up for a raffle in my monthly newsletter. I am offering a prize a month to my subscribers...the CD will be amongst the prizes...they can compete outside of class for the item.
Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions!
Gia