Wanting to keep my kids' reading momentum going, and also wanting to give the kids an extra incentive to read this summer, I have given them a challenge: for every hour they read or listen to a book, I'll give them a dollar towards a family activity. They were all for it. We jumped in the car on Thursday afternoon (less than an hour after they all got out of school for the summer) and headed for the library.
One of Keilie's teachers helped me see that sometimes it is easier to listen to a book than simply read one for hours and hours. It is even an added bonus if you can listen to the book being read while following along. So, armed with this knowledge that has really helped Keilie find joy in books at all, I found as many books as I could that they could follow along while they listen. Oh, and it is also a stipulation that they earn money for the books that I choose. Keilie and Shelby would most likely try to get away with Kindergarten books, read in mass quantities, for $50/book!
Tyson is pretty advanced in his reading. {Contented Sigh} Knowing that Brennon had finished reading The Indian in the Cupboard this year, and remembering that it was one of my favorites when I was in Third Grade, I went in search of that one for Tyson. Paperback book found-- check. Book on... TAPE found-- check.
Parent Win: He asked if I would help him listen to the book again before bed, after listening to it for two hours earlier yesterday morning. I asked him, "Tyson, are you wanting to read the book to get paid, or do you like the book?"
{Waiting on pins and needles, holding my breath in hopes of just one answer}
"Because I like the book."
I feel like a million bucks! It is the second time in as many months that one of my sons has said they like a book of my choosing and gentle insistence to read. The first was when Caden read all of the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins while in Seattle. I have been telling him for years to read it, that I knew he would enjoy them. With enough time on his hands, he did. And he liked it. He is reading The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen now-- another one I know he will really enjoy. Keilie is reading one that I recently found and LOVED-- Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I LOVE the message of that book! I hope my kids learn to love reading as much as I. Even if I have to bribe them with movies, museums, water parks, and roller coasters!! I feel no shame.
Thank you for the idea! That is awesome.
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