Since school began in August 2023, Mrs. Baldwin’s seventh-grade English Language Arts students have had the opportunity to participate in a reading incentive program. To encourage a lifelong love of reading, each quarter students are required to select one book to read for independent reading. Assignments associated with independent reading are designed to “advertise” and promote the books to other students in the hopes that other students will also want to read the same book – “peer advertising.”
In addition to the required reading, students are challenged to read more books. Students earn a Sonic drink for each extra book they read. Books must be of a challenging reading Lexile and meet CCS guidelines. Students earn a small size drink for the first book, and each additional book read bumps the size of the drink with the ultimate goal of earning a “Route 44” drink.
At the end of the first quarter, 29 students participated in the Super “SONIC” reading incentive, and seven of these students earned a Route 44 drink. Drinks were delivered to the students during lunch, and they were allowed to take their drinks to class in the afternoon. A total of 82 books were read by these 29 students!! As part of the incentive program, students also attend a “lunch bunch” small reading discussion with Mrs. Baldwin where various topics are discussed such as favorite childhood books, favorite genres, favorite novels and favorite characters. The goal is to promote a fun and safe place to talk about BOOKS! During the second quarter, 14 students participated in in the Super “SONIC” Reading Incentive program, and a total of 53 books were read by these 14 students! Mrs. Baldwin applauds and congratulates each student for their dedication to reading.
