Reading incentive programs

There are a variety of reading incentive programs. There are those devised by librarians that are unique to one library, programs developed by one or more librarians to use throughout a district, good ideas from one librarian that are shared with others for adaptation to their libraries, programs developed by nonprofit educational organizations,and commercial programs developed and sponsored by various companies for various purposes.

The incentive programs I use vary among those. Three times a year students get to check-out an extra book. That is a huge success. I also allow students to come to the library everyday to exchange books. Several children take advantage of that literally on a daily basis. With the Bluebonnet program sponsored by our state library association, students vote on a favorite book among a list of twenty. Some choose to read all of the books and others choose to read the minimum of five to qualify to vote. Others will read only a few that interest them. We also participate in two commercially sponsored programs. Six Flags has a program in which students read a minimum of six hours to earn a ticket good at their theme parks between certain dates. We just finished that one. It is moderately successful. Not all parents encourage their kids to participate. After all, those who earn tickets can't redeem them without someone else having to buy a ticket. I like Pizza Hut's Book It program better. Students who meet reading goals receive a coupon for a personal pan pizza. No purchase necessary. A personal pan pizza can be ordered for take out without buying anything else. Then it becomes a special treat just for that child.

In my opinion though, the best reading incentive is a passive one. When students are given basically free reign to checkout whichever books they choose, they get excited about reading. Prior to becoming a librarian I would have never guessed that nonfiction books would be so very popular, especially with young students. Therefore, a collection that is strong in up-to-date nonfiction is important. Not though to the detriment of the fiction materials of course. It's a joy to watch students eyes light up when they find the perfect book. This type of reading incentive has a snowball effect as students read more they want more. Students also share their new found treasures with their classmates who then they want more also. Sounds greedy, but I can't find fault in wanting to read more and more! I may be just a bit biased though...

Valentine books . . .

I was invited to read to a first grade class this afternoon. Rather than books about the holiday itself, I chose one book on friendship and another on motherly love. A story for bear by Dennis Haseley is a gentle tale of a bear and a woman who are drawn together by words in books. For some reason this story reminds me of small babies and books. They have no idea what is being said yet they still love to hear the story. The second book I read is fairly popular, I love you forever by Robert Munsch. I've read this one many times. It never fails to make me want to reach out to my own children, all grown and scattered, and gather them in my arms.

One of the perks of my job . . . I get to stop working and read! Oh, that is part of my job, so I am still working . . . woohoo!

A revisiting of goals

'Tis time to revisit my professional goals for the year. I began the year with a goal of creating a school readiness pamphlet for parents. This idea/goal was born during a discussion following lessons on how to properly turn pages in a book. Yes, this is actually a skill/habit I try to teach/instill. It is amazing how many students think that pushing a page is the best way to turn it. It is also amazing how many torn pages are found in library books due to students/others turning the page by lifting it near the spine. For all those who don't know......please turn the page gently from the corner!!!!!! Sigh. I theorized that if parents where provided with information about teaching this skill/habit at home then perhaps there would be less of a problem. I'm am absolutely positive that I go around saying "turn the page at the corner please" a lot more than I say "sshhhh". (I will confess though that my very first day with students as a librarian I did say "ssshhhh". I was so embarrassed!) Anyhow, while talking to a teacher about the page turning problem, we came up with the idea to make something for parents with this and other tips for school readiness. We even went to the effort to seek grant moneys but alas we failed at that effort, not surprisingly. Unfortunately, all the momentum for the project left when I found myself off work for several weeks due to a broken arm. Therefore I changed my goal to something more attainable - this blog. I still have my goal of preparing 5th grade students for middle school library research. I made quite a bit of progress on that in the fall before my accident. I am currently waiting until after THE BIG TEST to continue on that goal. I'm well aware of time constraints the teachers have in preparation for THE BIG TEST. In place of the readiness information for parents (which I hope to do in the future) I have chosen to use this blog as an extension of the professional journal writing that I did last year. This seems a logical extension. Now I am writing for an audience and that makes a difference. Yes, my audience consists of only a few lurkers who never comment and a few family members who I thank very much for their opinions. Despite this small audience, it is the fact that you exist that makes writing this easier. Thank you audience! Feel free to give yourself a pat on the back... (To my lurker audience: Feel free to comment!)

Happy Groundhog Day!!

Groundhog Day is my favorite holiday! I love saying "Happy Groundhog Day" to teachers and students in the hall and getting a smile in return. Okay, so sometimes that smile is accompanied by a strange look, but just the same it is fun. It's those smiles and the fact that no one is obliged to do anything special for the day that makes it my favorite. I have exactly four books about Groundhog Day in my library and you can bet that I read those every year at this time. It is the first grade students that are subjected to my luniness in this regard. I also impart a brief history of the holiday and suggest the students make their own predictions by looking for their shadows during recess. Fits nicely into their curriculum theme for this six week period of cause and effect. Fun with learning...you can't beat it!