Incentives for Reading

[MsJulie]

What do you think about giving students incentives for reading. I've done quite a bit of that in the past but I keep hearing that it isn't a very good practice. Programs like the Pizza Hut thing are maybe just getting kids to read for the wrong reasons and then they don't keep reading and heard that those kind of things just make kids fat and diabetic anyway. I've also seen students display some bad attitudes when you ask them to do something and they say, "What are you going to give me?" Then again I still like the idea of doing something fun to promote reading. Sometimes it seems like for everything you do there is a good side and then a bad side.

[medako]

I think I'm kinda on the fence about this. I can see where it could look like you (general "you") are trying to bribe the kids with a reward program, but at the same time, it's still getting them to read, right?

Maybe, as a teacher, you could have some sort of program where the reward is like a reading lock-in. All of the kids that met the goal would be invited to stay after-school (or in at lunchtime) and they can bring sleeping bags, and have pizza and/or snacks, you could have a reader/storyteller come in as entertainment, and then of course, all of the kids could have a time that's just for free reading - books, magazines, comics, etc.

[BobbyQT]

I hate things like candy and money for awards. Contests where the kids get an activity and all the kids have a chance to win are very fun and I think help reading be a priority and a fun thing for kids. I also think any promotion has to be set up so all can participate and feel good about it. If there are only a few who win and the rest feel like failures it isn't a very positive thing.

[Gabby]

Here is an idea for a reading incentive. Set a school goal for number of page stuents have to read in a month. If they meet the goal, they get to "take over" the school for the day. The top reader becomes the principal. Then depending on the number of pages read, some are teachers, cooks, sweepers, counselors etc. The teachers have to prepare the lessons for the day under the supervision of the real teacher. During that day, the teachers become the kids and the kids run the school (within reason). We did this a number of times over the years. It's higtly motivational and a lot of fun. The kids study really hard to be the teaches. It's a great activity and you'll get a lot of reading done.

[becklyn]

That is neat, the "take over" the school for the day idea. I have to agree that I am not so sure about the reward system that could be put into place, like money, candy. I did do the "book it" program with Pizza Hut as a kid. I wanted the reward so I read, but I was really pushed sometimes. I hope we don't forget that students should read because they are required to or want to and that certain rewards are not always necessary.

[garth_la]

I've had some success writing and getting tickets to ball games. Sometimes you can get 25-30 tickets. You can then set up a contest for students to read the most and take them to a game and meet the players. It's a good idea to set up some of the tickets on a lottery with a minimum amount of reading to qualify. That allows for Sped and ESL kids to have a chance. Otherwise it is always the same kids that win. Most teams have some players that are eager to help motivate students with reading. Plus, it's a perk to go anyway..

[JosieA1]

Kids will read for chances to have activities. They like things like team tournaments and a chance to play a faculty team. Even things like dances and field trips work. I like activities that build school spirit as well as motivate them to read. In my mind it's far better than giving them candy or food or points to buy junk at a store.

[becklyn]

Originally Posted by JosieA1

Kids will read for chances to have activities. They like things like team tournaments and a chance to play a faculty team. Even things like dances and field trips work. I like activities that build school spirit as well as motivate them to read. In my mind it's far better than giving them candy or food or points to buy junk at a store.

Thinking about this, I agree that food and candy is a bad motivational tool. It really is just getting kids into poor habits or rewarding with food and could lead to obesity. I like the activity rewards better, plus I think it will get more kids motivated. Kids can have candy and food all the time but special activities or a special event like a baseball game is much better for motivation.

[carlosd]

I know some people don't agree with any kind of incentives to get kids to read but I think it helps. I don't like using things like candy but I do think you can give things like books or journals or pens or something. I know that there is some research that says that students will read more if they interact with peers and a significant adult about what they are reading. We try to have book discussions on a regular basis. I think you have to make it important and give them attention. Some of that can be with activities and some incentives but some of it is just talking to them and making them feel like they are doing something important..

[MsJulie]

Hey thanks for the great ideas. I'm going to still use some incentives but I'm going to look at everythng and see if I can't make them more activity oriented. Especially with warm weather coming up I'm thinking about having some sort of field trip/picnic or something. I think it will help me build some better relationships and maybe even help kids to read more.