I can only speak for myself, but I loved reading to begin with and getting free pizza was just icing on top of the cake. Growing up with immigrant parents, eating pizza was always a treat because we hardly ate "American food." :)
I know it is a touchy issue when it comes to whether it is the "right" thing to do to give external incentives for reading. The argument is that joy of reading should be enough of a motivator for kids to read and "bribing" kids with external rewards defeats the purpose of reading.
As a teacher, I remember receiving the Book It packet of information, but it's been awhile since I've received anything from Pizza Hut. I did a Google search and found out that it is still around. You can find more information about it here: http://www.bookitprogram.com
Anyone else remember the Book It program? Was is a positive experience for you too?
Posts
I don't remember this program. I do remember participating in programs at my local library growing up where you got buttons, stars, and other such things for reading a certain amount of books. One of the few times growing up that being a "book nerd" was fashionable, lol.
ReplyDeleteI remember that program - I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI don't think reading incentives are a bad thing. I mean, if I kid just cannot get into reading, then it'll take more than a program like this to get them to do so. Plus, many kids have to read a few things to discover the types of books that appeal to them. What better way to encourage a budding bookworm than offer them incentives to keep going? Eventually they'll most likely find THE BOOK – you know, the one that helps them fall in love with reading.
I'm sorry, but most kids aren't born with a love of reading. They have to learn to love it – again, by finding the books that appeal to them. And sometimes, when they have a few less-than-perfect books (fitting their personality, that is), it can only help to have some incentive to encourage them not to give up. It has helped keep my daughter going at times like that. I say if it works, then it's good.
I totally agree. ham1299, thanks for saying so articulately, what I was trying to say. :)
ReplyDelete