Re: AR questions

[Virginia Kay Williams <vwilliam@SC.TDS.NET>]

Sounds like the teachers in June Hardison's new school have forgotten that
programs like AR & EBS are tools to promote reading, not ends in
themselves.  We've been using EBS at our middle school for six years.
During those years, I've noticed that the best students and most avid
readers seldom accumulate many EBS points.  Avid readers tend to read what
they enjoy, whether or not it's on EBS.  The 5-10% of students in our
school who read voluntarily don't need reading promotion programs.  These
are the same students who aren't motivated by extrinsic rewards.  Several
years ago I read some research showing that extrinsic rewards actually
unmotivate (is that a word?) some students.  We've seen that happen and
it's one reason we don't push avid readers to participate in EBS.   I've
fought the "only EBS" argument myself.  I'm a supporter of reading
promotion programs, but that's a fight worth the effort.  Children should
be encouraged to read, but not at the expense of exploring other
interests.  AR and EBS are very useful tools to promote reading, but not
when teachers and librarians begin to treat them as ends in themselves.

--
Ginger Williams, Library Media Specialist
Williston-Elko Middle/High, SC
vwilliam@sc.tds.net (home)
vkwms@infoave.net (work)

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