B Y P A U L A S H A P I R O

Reading Incentive Programs

S T U D E N T S W H O E N J O Y R E A D I N G F O R T H E

S A K E O F R E A D I N G A N D LEARNING

LIFE LONG READERS

A P R O G R A M T H A T E N C O U R A G E S S T U D E N T S T O R E A D F O R P E R S O N A L E N J O Y M E N T

Definition Of A Reading Incentive Program

Types of Programs:

E N G A G E

M O T I V A T E

E X P A N D H O R I Z O N S

I N C R E A S E F L U E N C Y

Other Reason to UseReading Incentive Programs

• Pencils

• Pizzas

• Stickers

• Ice cream

• Candy

REWARDS:

Intrinsic Extrinsic

The internal motivation to do something for its own sake

And end in itself

The external motivation to do something to obtain something else

A means to an end

Intrinsic Vs Extrinsic Motivation

Don’t just take my word for it…

(What the experts say about extrinsic motivation)

Makes reading all about the reward

Students are getting “paid” for reading

• Reward becomes the goal.

• De-values the importance of reading

What does this mean?

Have we all wasted all our time and money?

Evaluate

Does it work for your library?

Does it do its job?

Does it make sense for your population?

Can you make it your own?

Create An Environment That Promotes Reading

Ken Haycock says..

Inviting Environment

Enthusiasm

Create a community of readers

Curiosity

Reading is a creative

Access and choice

Alternative Ways To Motivate

Model good habits

Students set their own goals

Excite them about book

Book hooks/talks

Use related rewards

Certificates of completion

Replace “tangible” rewards

Altruism as an incentive

Battle of the Books

Elementary

List of 20 books

Write-Ups

Discussion Groups

“Battle”

Rewards

H.A.R.P. Program

Motivate students to read for pleasure.

Writing Reviews

Read with others

Role models

Rewards

O. Henry Middle School(Austin, TX)

High school as well..

Welcoming Environment

Collaboration

Involve Students

Take ownership as librarian

Budget-conscious Programs

Book Clubs

Parents/People are Reading Partners

Themed Programs-Harry Potter

Battle of the Books

Partner with Local Bookstores

Podcasts/videos

“Read-a-likes” with popular movies

Book reviews

Read-a-thons

The Accelerated Reader Program

It is a leveled reading program by Renaissance Reading Learning, Inc.

Books arranged and labeled by reading levels

Tests are given and point values are assigned

You can’t Blame the program for killing an interest in

reading just like you can’t blame a car for getting a

speeding ticket…

ULTIMATE GOAL:

Reading As Its Own Reward