Rewards for what?

[Diane Chen <ChenD@TEN-NASH.TEN.K12.TN.US>]

Dear Colleagues,
I have been following the thread on rewarding students for returning their
books on time and am struck by some personal opinions and reflections.

In a flexible environment, I do not expect every child to bring back their
books with the entire class on a certain day. I encourage students to read
several books at one time so their due dates may vary. Schools with
Accelerated Reader often have students with an AR book in their desk and
another library book at home, for example. Throughout the year I announce
mini-awards for other purposes. Last year their was a post about flagging
some non-AR books as STAR books in the computer system. When a student
checked out these excellent books for which we did not yet have the test, I
would award them a sticker, a stamp or other small prize and praise their
willingness to try "other" books. I have rewarded students for trying
different genres. I really attempt to encourage students to bring their
books back and welcome parents returning them and helping the child check
out an additional book to read with their child. Also, if a child needs
more time to read their book, I am happy to renew it for them and thank
them graciously for notifying me.

At the end of the year I do reward the first classes to have all books back
in with a great paperback "read-aloud" for them to enjoy the last week of
school. I'm still looking for other reward systems throughout the year so
keep the ideas coming. I'm just encouraging our group to reward other
information skills than the dreaded "overdue" book.
Diane

P.S. How many librarians have ever had an overdue book at the public
library and had to face their disapproval? Things happen! Children get
sick. Cars break down. An understanding librarian is the best asset for me!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*
Diane R. Chen, Information Specialist
Hickman Elementary School  Nashville, TN 37214
Tel: 615 885-8956
ChenD@k12tn.net    or  DianeRChen@aol.com

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