Travel Anywhere in a Book

Howard Elementary

We are looking for funds to purchase incentives that we offer to students who do extra reading at home in our school-wide reading program: Read a Ton 2005 - Travel Anywhere in a Book! We are using a Lewis and Clark theme this year in honor of the Bi-Centennial celebration of this amazing American voyage. Students will be converting minutes read into "miles walked" as they trace their way along the Lewis and Clark Trail from St. Louis to Astoria, Oregon. Students will receive a special foot token or sticker for every 120 miles (2 hours of reading) covered. Any student who travels a total of at least 2005 "miles" will also be honored at the end of the year in a special Read-A-Ton Assembly and awarded a Reading Medal. We will also have a special display in the hallway or cafeteria that will show combined school-wide progress as students try to read for 2005 Hours as grade level teams.

Why is this project important?

Studies show that students who spend extra time practicing their reading skills make greater progress in their skills and develop better fluency. In order to compete with busy family schedules, student activities, and the pull of T.V. and video games we like to offer a reading incentive program. We have done this program for the last 2 years and have found it to be successful. A survey was done last spring of parents, students and staff and there was an overwhelming show of support for continuing this program again this year. The incentives keep students engaged and offer them some extra rewards for choosing time with a book over the many other choices they have at home. It encourages parents of kindergartners and first graders to spend time reading with their kids at home to accumulate minutes. It sends an important message to children and parents that Howard school thinks Reading is important - even outside of the school setting!

Who, and how many, will be served?

All students at Howard in grades Kindergarten through Gr. 5 are asked to participate and have the opportunity to receive the rewards that are offered. Howard has 340-350 students.

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

The best indicator we have is the number of students who choose to participate fully in the program. Last year we awarded medals to almost 150 students who completed the reading of 2004 minutes.

We expect this year's numbers to be even higher as students have a better understanding of what they are working for. The survey mentioned above shows that staff and families are eager to have us continue this incentive program.

Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school?

Yes! This will be the 3rd year we have done this. Many teachers already ask students to read at home as a part of their homework assignments, but this has increased the number of students who follow through with it. Students who are involved in our SMART program are allowed to include minutes spent reading with a SMART volunteer. Students in K/1/2 are allowed to count time spent reading with an adult at home. This year's theme will also dovetail nicely with units being taught at the intermediate level as students learn more about the Lewis and Clark Trail and the obstacles encountered by the men who made this journey. The "miles" students walk will actually correspond to a historical journey made by real people, allowing us to integrate this reading program with a history unit.

How will the funds be spent?

Incentives (charms, stickers, certificates, cookies).