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Reading incentives
Hello! I am new to this group and am also the newly hired Project Director for The Engineers' Leadership Foundation's(ELF) program, "Engineering Better Readers." We've just initiated a new reading incentive program for elementary schools which are low-performing (Stage 3 or 4)and also have rates of F & RL rates of 85% or higher. Basically, children will read books for points which they can use to purchase in the school store for both big (Wi's, bikes, Ipods) and small toys. ELF will donate $5000 at the beginning of the year to purchase the toys and will replenish in Janauary. Children can save points or spend at will. Is this something that you feel would work in your school? Is it something that you would WANT in your school?
What are your feelings about incentives?
I would really appreciate your feedback as the program is in its infancy! Thank you so much! Patty
Comments (52)
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I have never liked giving my
I have never liked giving my students physical rewards (candy, toys, etc) but I have often given them privileges for academic work (free time, extra time on the computers, eat lunch with the teacher, etc). Reading is so important I strive to build an intrinsic motivation through reading exciting text, new authors, getting to know my students so that I can recommend books that they will like, making sure that the kids are reading within their zpd. All of these things help build motivation to read and help develop a love of reading that will grow with the students.
Fifth Grade Teacher
I do not agree with incentives for reading. We do it at our school but it does not improve reading.... which is what we want right?
I teach second grade. I do
I teach second grade. I do use various incentives in my classroom. Some are treats - candy, stickers etc and others are free book from the book order, extra computer time etc. I like being able to do it in my room. it is not a school wide thing. I think my kids know that I will reward them for reading in various ways. I think the school wide program takes the teacher/student relationship out of it so it is not as personal and kids do it to get stuff not recognition and praise from the teacher who is cheering them on every day.
Finally figured out how to bring out the "reader" in "readers"..
I can't believe it took me almost two decades to figure it out.
A teacher cannot create a reader. He/she must proactively facilitate each reader.
How?
Do the following:
1- Read aloud- every single day. Make sure the students understand that this is the most important part of the day. The read aloud must NEVER be skipped. The more fervently a teacher champions the read aloud, the more fervently the students will revere it, as well!
2- Offer books! Books! And more books! Most importantly, let go of your own personal "sacred" collection. You will soon see that these books are most valuable when shared!
3- Get to know your readers. I'm glad I did! Who knew that Captain Underpants was so entertaining?
4- Share your love of books!
5- Read aloud to your students every single day... Did I say that alresdy???
Period! Loved this comment!
Imagine
It's as easy as that, Pasquale!!! Can you believe it? I'm glad you figured it out! I can't believe all of the million dollar programs that are being sold out there; all of the money that is being spent by school districts on these programs. Imagine a world where schools spent money on books? Thanks for the post.
Gaetan
Pasquale, Great comment! I
Pasquale, Great comment! I couldn't have said it better!:)
Global read-aloud
Hi All -- Here's another cool idea to inspire students to keep reading!
http://mrspripp.blogspot.com/2010/07/global-read-aloud.html
What a great concept; read a chapter a week and then discuss it via Twitter. That made me think; why not do that with a read aloud book and connect classrooms across the world?
So here is what I propose: Choose a book, we can set up a poll and take suggestions, and read a chapter aloud a week. Students will then have to blog about the chapter or a wiki could be set up for them to share the experiences as they read the book. How phenomenal would it be to know that your class is reading a book that another class across the world is also reading?
/excerpt
I'd be more a fan of the idea
I'd be more a fan of the idea of external rewards for reading if I knew that first; the school had a real live active school (ie teaching background) librarian who knows both kids' lit and the kids, inside and out. Not a paraprofessional or parent volunteer, no matter how well meaning. Second; that the school library was properly funded so that the kids had access to LOTS of new books in LOTS of different genres and media types. $5000 would purchase a fair amount of books: beginning readers, beginning non-fiction, early readers, early chapter books, non-fiction, chapter books, graphic novels, comic books, audiobooks, magazines, e-books, etc.
Then I'd think about external rewards. They definitely can work for kids and motivate them. But it won't have the same impact without those first two priorities FIRMLY in place.
Good Point
A smart librarian, you are. This is a trick post. With the first two in place, external rewards would definitely not be needed. Nice. Thanks for the post.
Gaetan