reading incentive programs - overview

[Johanna Halbeisen Rebecca Johnson School]

Dear Netters,
        Back to LM_NET and have a new job (hooray!!).  My new school has
been doing a reading incentive program they call Ice cream for Reading.
They set it up, got donations of the cold stuff, got parents to listen to
the 'reports' etc.  Its been going on for 4 years.
        My problem is 1) the amount of work (recording, listening to
reports, the ice cream production, etc) and 2) the piece work mentality it
produces.  Kids at my old school would ask "What do we get if we do that"
when I'd give them a challenge or a request.
        So here's my question:  How can reading incentive programs be used
effectively without falling into the piece work mentality?  Are there
incentive programs that are less likely to produce the "What do we get"
response?  Are there ways to use these prize-oriented contests that minimize
the gimmee impulse?  Are there ones that are better for the long haul (going
on for the whole year) than others?  What are your thoughts and experience??
Send me your ideas.  I'll post a hit if people are interested (and
interesting).


--
Johanna Halbeisen
Woodland Elementary School(K-4)
Southwick, Mass
jhalbei@k12.oit.umass.edu