Encouraging kids to read, Not!

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Well Scaeagles, it was nice to know you. Sorry about your early demise (once you know who reads that....).

Who???? You mean there's a librarian who posts on this board????

[Matterhorn Fan]

Amazon says "Henry and Mudge" is for ages 4-8. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is supposedly for ages 9-12.

Are the 12-year-olds really going to get "points" for reading a book written for a 4-year-old?

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Some kids do need an additional push to get started reading, for the rest I'd compare it to a sport. Once in awhile it's fun to go head to head with other kids and see what you can do. The kids that come out on top of the reading program are just as proud as the kid that hits the game winning run.

Thanks. That makes sense.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Matterhorn Fan

Amazon says "Henry and Mudge" is for ages 4-8. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is supposedly for ages 9-12.

Are the 12-year-olds really going to get "points" for reading a book written for a 4-year-old?

Yup. Which is why I am disinclined to acquiesce to their demands.

[Prudence]

As a former geek child, I welcomed any opportunity to compete scholastically, rather than physically. Would those same parents encourage only letting kids walk laps, rather than run, because some can't run as fast or get as many laps done in the alloted time?

(Tangent: If I had to pay for every analogy used I would be so broke...)

[Morrigoon]

Maybe the competition should be for # of pages read?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Prudence

As a former geek child, I welcomed any opportunity to compete scholastically, rather than physically. Would those same parents encourage only letting kids walk laps, rather than run, because some can't run as fast or get as many laps done in the alloted time?

AMEN! This is a world where some people are better at some things than others. Expecting others to be restricted in order to help the "self esteem" of those less gifted in a certain area helps no one. Those with the ability are held back, and those who simply aren't as good are made to think they are.

Well, a lot of times, they aren't. They can try harder, certainly, and perhaps acheive in that area. But no one should be made to feel as if they are good at something when they are not, or at least not as good as others.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Maybe the competition should be for # of pages read?

"Cat in the Hat" vs "Harry Potter". You can't use number of pages. Time is the only real option I see that enourages kids to read whatever they want.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Heehee, guys.

Our library has a standard summer reading program, and it does not count number of books read, it counts number of minutes read. The advantages to a system like this are pretty apparent.

As a kid I cheated my summer reading club by reading short books and listing books that I'd read last year. Guilt to my grave.

As for the lazy librarian, you're right in thinking you need to go above her head and get help from administrators. Librarians always have problems allowing something "disruptive" into their schedule, no matter how sensible. It's so nice a quiet when there's nobody in the library...

[MickeyD]

When I was in elementary school they counted minutes, not books. I kicked ass in the competition every year.....I also won my 5th grade spelling contest. It's sad how my life has been all down hill since 5th grade.