Motivation-Recognition-Celebration Tips and Ideas

Classroom- Quick and Easy

 Post a piece of paper on the wall and let each student sign their autograph on it every time they score 100%

 Tell the class some of your favorite books and why you like them

 Ring a bell every time a child scores 100%

 Allow the child with the highest # of 100%s in the week to host the class pet for the weekend

 Allow special privileges for older students: homework free pass, skip one question on a long quiz, drink soda in class . . . if they meet % goal

 Book character election – child gets to cast a vote with each 90% or 100% score.

 Movie & popcorn for the class when the class goals are met.

Classroom- Sure- Fire, Proven Effective  Use the Weekly Progress Chart in Renaissance Place—Accelerated Reader—Resources. Students keep track of their own goal progress. Keep chart in reading folder to share with teacher.

 Nascar track or similar road with sections marked off indicating % of goals achieved. Each student has a Nascar, possibly with wallet-sized photo of face in the car window. Students advance their cars as they move through % of goals achieved. Each marking period, all cars go back to the starting line.  Use your Renaissance Place—Accelerated Reader software to set up class teams to start a friendly competition.

 When younger “emergent readers” become Independent Readers, they get to wear a helium balloon tethered to their wrist through the school day.

 In addition to the teacher’s signature on a 100% TOPS report, the student gets the Principal’s signature (and other significant staff signatures, too) on the report. Be sure to send the report home for parents.

 Pair an older class with a younger class for Book Buddies. Older students read with their buddies, help them take quizzes, and select a new book. They can also make audio tapes that are packaged with a picture book for their buddies to enjoy.

Schoolwide- Quick and Easy

 A chosen AR student of the week is interviewed over the intercom with questions like: “How did you achieve your 100% record? What strategies do you use? What’s your favorite book?”

 Principal offers to spend the day on the roof or dress up and do the chicken dance (or another outlandish feat)– if % of students meet all 3 of their AR goals.

 Rewards for teachers – no recess/lunch duty or gift certificate for teacher with 1st class that has everyone taking quiz & maintaining class average of 90% +

 Simple Wall of Fame in central area. When student achieve 3 AR goals for marking period, they post a 3x5 card with their name, grade, classroom on a bulletin board.  Honor AR achievement during citizenship assemblies, awards night, and other get-togethers. One school honors these students with a ceremony around the school flag pole.

School-Wide- Sure-Fire, Proven Effective

 AR Wall of Fame in central area. Post names (maybe photos, too) of students who have achieved their 3 AR goals each marking period.

 Have a school-wide reading theme like “Treasure Reading,” “Dive into Books,” “Reach for the Stars with Reading,” or “Around the World (Around the U.S.)”. Create motivation charts, bookmarks, and activities that center on the theme.

 Have an end-of-semester or end-of-year “fun day” to celebrate reading and achievement.

 Goal achievers get to have lunch with the principal, teacher, librarian. Students can get special one-on-one attention and talk about their reading.

 Start a monthly Family Reading Night. Parents come with student, read a book and take a quiz together. You might want to include a pot-luck food opportunity.

 Start a Camp Read-a-Lot in the library. Goal achievers get to spend the day (with a blanket for comfort) in the library. Have craft and game activities, time to read new books, eat lunch together, and have an ice-cream treat in the afternoon. Or have a Read-a-thon for an afternoon.

Author: Carol Doyle Date: 7/12/07 Edited 7-22-07 Kathy O’Steen