Beanie Baby From Erik Nielsen, a fifth grade teacher at Crooked River Elementary School in Casco, Maine: "I use a Beanie Baby in my class as a 'Put Up Animal.' At the bewginning of each day I start the animal's journey by giving it to a student who's been helpful or polite to another in some way. The students then pass the animal around the room whenever they see or hear the same kind of behavior in another student. Sometimes even I received it! At the end of the day we recount where the animal went and why. The students have to have avalid reason for passing it in order for it to count. For every five passes the class receives a star on the board. When the class has earned thirty stars they come up with a class-size reward. This system encourages a positive atmosphere where children look for positive behavior in others. The class-size reward part can be optional."