March 8, 2006
Question of the Week #6
Posted in Question of the Week Archives
Question #6
Do you use any sort of "incentives" with your children to keep them reading good books (other than the sheer joy of reading, of course)? If you have any children that aren't avid readers, how do you keep them motivated? 
My Answer
We tried the Pizza Hut Book It! Program several years ago. It was fine but not particularly motivating for my kids. Unfortunately, we probably were having pizza on such a regular basis that it really didn't seem like that big of a deal to them (my fault completely). Some of my children love to read and choose to do so of their own accord. Others aren't that motivated and don't choose to read as often as I would like. A couple of months ago, I made up a reading list for each child and told them that when they were halfway through the list they would receive a reward, and when they finish the list they will receive another reward. Well, no one has made it halfway through their list yet. Hmmm. . . .this isn't exactly motivating my children to read. 
I'm looking forward to some wonderful ideas from everyone else! (hint, hint) Please feel free to leave long and detailed comments! 
If it is your opinion that they don't need to be motivated by incentives, please feel free to leave those comments also.
Comments
March 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CreativeHomeschooling
I'm fortunate my kids are avid readers. My eldest ds in fact read an entire 170 page Hardy Boys Book in a 24 hour period when he was 9 years old!! Great example of too much of a good thing, not being so good...but I was still impressed.
When they were both in the younger grades 3-5th, I made a giant thermometer (like churches do to reach their monetary goals) out of butcher paper and put it up in the laundry room. Each notch in the thermometer was for a book read. The younger ds had a lesser number of pages for his "qualifing books". At certain points of the notches, like after 5 books read, (think degrees going up!) there would be a reward; $1.00, ice-cream cone, toy, etc. When they reached the very top it was $10.00!! (which is a lot for someone their age). They were so motivated by that thermometer, everytime I looked they were reading!
So, yah, I bribed them...but they both love to read, I say it was the "thermometer".
PS- I don't bribe them anymore. ;)
Jennie von Eggers
www.TimesTales.com
www.CreativeHomeschooling.com
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March 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by livin4Him6
First I want to thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. :0) Secondly, I hope its ok if I add you to my friends list because I also need some ideas for getting readers excited. ;0) One of my dd (14) is dyslexic and she cannot stand reading and has a very hard time finishing a book. She is not obstinate and does love to please, but I really have no ideas as to how to encourage her to read on her own. I have read to here, we have used tapes, but I would like for her to read on her own as well.
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March 10, 2006 - I need ideas too
Posted by cicket313
I'll be checking back for ideas. I need ideas in the area. My son's whole motivation for getting school done is once he's done he can play a video game for a little while.
Michelle
www.homschoolblogger.com/cricket
I have some general questions this week
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March 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by telmar
My son was very relutant until I started getting him kid magazines and newspapers. He loved reading them. We also got books on tape if he couldn't read it. His dad and I also talked really excitedly about books. Now at 9 he reads on a 11 grade level and loves the classics like Dickens
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March 13, 2006 - Making a reading time
Posted by ladyhawk82158
Here we have two who are dyslexic and two who loved to read. As you can imagine, the two who have issues will choose anything to do other than reading...or that's how it was in the beginning.
The one thing that changed them into children who LOVE to read was creating "Bedtime Reading Hour." This is a one hour block just before lights out. Their choice always remains to either read or go to sleep from 8-9pm. Well, most nights they would rather be reading just to have that one extra hour up. ;-)
After a bit, they have learned that they actually like reading...it just took them getting started on some good books which hooked them and grabbed their interest. This year I also used a reading survey to assess their interests and we added more books to our library which we knew they would like.
This semester we also added family reading time during a quiet hour after lunch. During this hour we all cuddle up in Mom's room while each child takes a turn reading a chapter aloud. We are reading the American Girl books during this time. This has helped to improve the two w/ D reading skills.
So I think for us it was a matter of assigning specific times for reading. We now have two hours per weekday set aside for reading and this is the now highlight of their days!
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