Independent Reading Reward & Incentive Programs

INDEPENDENT READING REWARDS/INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Encouraging students to read independently is an important goal of reading enrichment programs. Incentives and rewards
can provide students with the external motivation to read. Some ideas:
􀂐 Tracking reading with a log (time or number of books) or with Accelerated Reader points (for those schools with
AR books and quizzes)
􀂐 Set school-wide and class goals and incentives
􀂐 Pick theme for a special reading promotion (see ideas above for Reading Night)
􀂐 Offer reading incentive programs by month, quarter, winter or spring break, and especially summer!
􀂐 Individual and class prizes can be purchased by PTA or donated from local businesses.
􀂐 Work with your local community, especially your public library.
􀂐 Take advantage of community-based programs, including:
Book Adventure (www.BookAdventure.org) K - 8 students
Supported by Sylvan Learning, Book Adventure is a free, Web-based reading incentive program encouraging K-8
children to read great books and win cool prizes. Book Adventure not only rewards children for reading, but also
enables parents to track their child's progress and participate in their education. Students create a log on name and
password, and then customize their reading list to their preferred reading level and genre to generate a list of
suggested books from 7,000 books on file. Students take a quiz after reading the book to earn points for prizes.
Bruster’s Ice Cream (www.brusters.com) K - 5 students
Students earn a free ice cream cone for keeping a reading log in pursuit of reading goals.
Pizza Hut Book-It Program (www.BookItProgram.com) K – 6 students
Students are eligible to earn a free pizza per month from October to March by meeting reading goals. Other class
promotions held regularly to promote reading.
Six Flags Read to Succeed (www.sixflags.com/parks/OverGeorgia/ParkPress/SixHourReadingClub.html)
K – 6 students
Students earn a free pass to the theme park by reading six hours.
Atlanta Hawks/Atlanta Thrashers Check-It-Out Reading Challenge (www.nba.com/hawks/community click
on “Check-It-Out Reading Challenge”) K – 12 students

Book and Reading Clubs

BOOK/READING CLUBS
Book clubs are appropriate for all K-12 students as they encourage independent reading while facilitating the development
of reading comprehension and critical thinking. Generally, students read books by themselves and get together at a pre-set
time and date to discuss the book. One school started an eight week parent/family book club. Middle and high school
students can meet at local bookstore cafe to increase social aspects of activity.
SuggestedInternet Resources:
􀂐 Great Books Foundation (www.greatbooks.org )
􀂐 All America Reads (www.allamericareads.org)
􀂐 Ready.Sit.Read (www.target.com/site/en/readysitread/home.jsp click on “Start a Book Club” upper left corner)
􀂐 Georgia Council for Humanities (www.georgiahumanities.org/programs/book.html)
􀂐 Public Broadcasting Service (www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/articles/bookclubs/main.html)
􀂐 National Network of Partnership Schools Program, Center for Social Organization of Schools, Johns Hopkins
University www.csos.jhu.edu (find with “Programs” link, and then go to “Promising Practices”)