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I use AR, I "reward" kids for reading. I work in a poor, ESL, Title 1, recent immigrant you name we are it school. Many of our kids don't come to school with an intrinsic love of reading (or learning). Yet there is NCLB and there is the TAKS test, there is district pressure, my Principals job is on the line and we are under the gun to raise the reading scores. The only way to become a better, more proficient reader is to READ. They may not enjoy it but they gotta do it. Heck, I don't like to drive but I do it and do it every day. It's a survival skill. And I'm rewarded for driving as it gets me to work and gets me a pay check. Could I work from home I would! Reading is a survival skill too. Along the way I get the kids who LOVE to read and would read whether we have AR or not. Since we have AR those kids have clout and status at school - and in Texas, with it's "Football is the end all and be all" culture that's something. In fact it's a huge something. Our reading scores are now in the high to mid 90%. We lead the district in circulation and the one thing visitors always comment is that the kids are always reading. Maybe it's for the parties and social events I organize and maybe it's for the love of reading but they are READING. I raised 2 non readers myself. I'm a reader, their father is a reader, the house is all over books, I sell books on E-bay. I did everything the experts say you should do to ensure a bookworm and I produced two bright, college graduates who don't read. I think you are born with the love of reading, just like some folks are born with the love of music or sports or horseback riding. And in the meantime, we've got to turn all of those who aren't born with the spark into proficient readers and if it takes rewards, well so be it. Guusje Moore Librarian, Housman Elementary School Spring Branch ISD Houston, TX guusje@mindspring.com Day in the Life of a School Librarian http://guusjem.blogspot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------