The Novelty of Reading

There's something about the novelty of chance that's always appealing, so why not let it work for you?

Remember that Christmas ornament swap game?  It can get downright cutthroat, always a fun scenario around the holidays.

Here's how it goes:

Everyone brings a wrapped ornament and tosses it in a community pile.

Everyone draws a slip of paper with a number.

The person with the number "1" unwraps a gift, shows it off and sits down.

Person 2 may "steal" the ornament that's already unwrapped or pick from the pile.

Person 3 may nab either ornament or pick from the pile.

Any time someone's ornament is taken, the person returns to the pile for a new one.

And so on, and so on, and Scooby dooby doo-bee.

Here's how you can make this work for you:
Get a whole bunch of short high interest books of a similar size.  These could be read in 15ish minutes.
Stuff them in a bag/ box.
Let kids draw numbered slips of paper.
Same idea with the ornaments...but unless you want to wrap all of those books, just let the kids pick from the bag without looking.
The kids show off their book.
Subsequent players may steal or pick something from the bag.

EVERYBODY READS.   Will they complain?   Yeah.  But not for too long.  You've heard worse.

If your school uses the Accelerated Reader program, kids then take an open book test.   Then they want to read another book.

Children can switch titles with a friend or pick something new from the bag, once they are done with their first book.

The key is using high interest books with a visual element. Bigfoot, monster trucks, NASCAR, Disgusting Bugs, Area 51, Bermuda Triangle, ESP, sharks, urban legends, movie monsters, bats, hunting, extreme sports...you get the picture.

These books are usually expensive, but they are worth the investment.  A wide sampling of kids love them, and they are an easy way to build cultural literacy and general background knowledge.

And you thought bubble wrap was cheap...

This idea is so simple.   I don't want to insult anyone by posting it, so if you're easily offended, look away now.

Ok.   Now.

Last chance.

Sometimes rewarding students by writing their names on the board works.   Now, I wouldn't do this for just anything.   When you recognize a kid for excelling, sometimes it can backfire.   Peers may resent the child as some 8th graders are wont to do.   You know what I am saying here.

I set quarterly reading goals for my kids, and when I get a pack of around 20 who hit the mark, then I start listing names.   There's safety in numbers.

Also, by 20 you usually pick up a handful of kids who are a surprise to others.   As in THAT KID is reading more diligently than I am?   Yep.   He sure is.   Get with the program.   You know that kids are constantly measuring themselves against their peers, so sometimes this list whips them in shape.   They also know that the goals can vary based on reading ability, but that the kid with the smallest goal sometimes works harder to get there.

Once the list goes up, we need to check our students daily to see if their names can be added.   It's good to build momentum with this type of reward.

You know that the list is titled "Ms. Davis's Favorite Readers."   But everyone has a good chance of making the cut with a little effort.

When it's towards the end of the 9 weeks, I may list the top 15 point earners and let my voracious readers try to claw their way to the top.   Those kids usually love close competition.

Best of all, it's FREE!