Quote:
Originally Posted by QuantumIguana
I think they should drop the contest. The goal is to encourage reading, but this doesn't do it. This kid doesn't need any encouragement. It's like gym class focusing on the best athletes, and leaving those most in need of physical education out in the cold. A football game is not about getting kids to be more physically fit, but gym class is, and I see the goal of such programs to be more like a gym class than a football game.
Focusing on the number of books encourages reading simpler, shorter books and encourages rushing through books. I'm not saying this kid is doing either of these, but the incentive is there.
|
The article said that the books had to be on an approved list and at or above your grade level. The books he was reading were approved and he was able to answer the questions about them.
We had a similar program at my library as a kid where we got coupons for ice cream if for every X number of books read. I always racked up the coupons. The librarians initially doubted I read that much and would ask me who my favorite character was, what my favorite plot point was, how did these things combine. They figured out that I read a lot and understood what I was reading. No biggie. I enjoyed the ice cream and the books.