1. How to Create a Reading Incentive Program in 10 Easy Steps!

2. First – Decide on a Theme Hook into the school-wide theme for the year Make the theme as cross- curricular as possible “Buy-in” by administration is ESSENTIAL!

3. #2 – How Many Weeks Will the Program Run?

4. #3 – Decide How Students Will Move Through the Program

5. #4 - Research to determine where your stops are going to be located

6. #5 - Research about each stop Create information sheets or CD to return to classes

7. #6 - Now the program itself is written! Let’s move behind the scenes…

8. #7 - Create the database to record the weekly minutes read by each student It is easier to make one excel file per grade level with a worksheet per teacher

9. More Database Information This worksheet gets updated and printed out weekly It needs to be made to correspond to the number of stops and/or how many weeks the program runs

10. More Database Information You can collect information for Gwinnett Gladiators tickets and Six Flags tickets using this database You will need to import class lists from SASI

11. Even More Database Information You can also keep data on average minutes read, number of students participating, grand total, number of students who met their goal, and % of students who met their goal at the bottom of each class’s worksheet if you choose – principals like this information!

12. Last Database Information! Purchase large manila envelopes – one for each class, and label with teacher name and grade level. This is how the class recording sheet will be transferred between media center and classroom. Secure volunteers to enter weekly minutes read data for you!

13. #8 - Determine New Locations Once the data has been entered, determine each classroom’s new location according to the minutes read by the whole class. Get this information from the location and mileage sheet you created earlier.

14. #9 - Print New Recording Sheets Each week as data has been entered, print a new classroom recording sheet which will be returned to the class. Only print what will fit on a page – make sure, though, that there is a column for the following week’s minutes to be recorded.

15. Along with this recording sheet, give the class information about their new location. Paper or CD format Hand out incentives at this time

16. “Traveling” If the class does not read enough minutes to move to the next location, they are “traveling” and their minutes the next week will assist them in reaching the next destination.

17. Contents of the Envelope Insert into envelope: the new class recording sheet information about the class’s new location any incentives you give out

18. Parent Information Sheet Parents are more likely to “buy in” to your program if they clearly understand how it works. It should only be one page and should be handed out at Curriculum Night - your teachers should explain the program to the parents.

19. Keep Reading Logs Handy Continually keep additional copies of reading logs handy to supply students as necessary.

20. #10 – Create Posters or Graphs Create posters, graphs, charts showing each classroom’s progress through the program. Post these in a prominent place in the school building. This goes a long way in promoting “friendly” competition between classes and grade levels.

21. Reading Incentive “Centers” You can have center-like activities available in the media center to coincide with each week’s location. These activities can be rewarded with small prizes or can be just for the fun of it!

22. Ideas for Reading Programs Get Wrapped Up in Reading – “walk” through ancient Egypt The Amazing Reading Race – travel the world just like the show Baseball Bonanza – each class is a minor league team and they “play” each other by reading To Infinity and Beyond! - travel through outer Space NASCAR Gone Global! – travel the world racing your class car against other class cars Lewis and Clark – travel the route while reading