Issaquah Valley Elementary Eager Reader Program 2012-2013

Eager Reader is a PTA sponsored program that rewards and reinforces reading. It is a 26 week voluntary program designed to improve students’ reading skills and to develop a love of reading. Most teachers require a minimum amount of reading each night and this program offers incentives and reinforcement for that reading.

Here is how the program works:

• The program begins October 8th – you will use the Eager Reader tally form to record minutes read each day (outside of classroom time).

• You can use the same tally form for the entire year (we will track cumulative minutes read).

• The students will shade in the box on the tally sheet for every 5 minutes read (including minutes read to your future readers).

• Students will turn in their tally form to their classroom teacher on the assigned due dates (about every 4 weeks). Tally forms must be signed by a parent/guardian.

• Students will receive a prize based on the total minutes read.

• All prizes (*except book awards) will be attached to the tally form and returned to the student via their teacher.

• Students who earn books will pick out their book during lunch on the assigned book award days.

• Minutes read are accumulated throughout the year, so prizes can always be earned.

• Make sure to turn in the tally on each due date – even if your student has not read enough to earn the listed prize, they will still be rewarded with a sticker! If you are unable to turn in the form on the due date, please keep your form, continue recording the minutes and hand it in at the next tally form due date.

• At the end of the program, the student with the most minutes read in each grade will win a Barnes and Noble gift card.

Reading goals for the program:

Prize Level	Tally form due	K/1st grade Minutes read	2nd/3rd grade Minutes read	4th/5thgrade Minutes read	Prize
		20 minutes/day 6 days/week	25 minutes/day 6 days/week	30 minutes/day 6 days/week
1st	Nov 3	480	600	720	Frankie's Pizza Certificate
2nd	Dec 8	960	1200	1440	Boehm's Pool Swim Pass and Castel Ice Skating Pass
3rd	Jan 5	1440	1800	2160	Book* (during lunch Jan 15)
4th	Feb 2	1920	2400	2880	Book* (during lunch Feb 12)
5th	Mar 8	2400	3000	3600	Krispy Kreme Doughnut Certificate
6th	Apr 5	2880	3600	4320	Book* (during lunch Apr 16) and one Raffle Entry

NEW THIS YEAR

The Eager Reader Raffle:
This year we will have a raffle at the end of the program! Each student who reaches the final grade-level reading goals for the program, e.g. prize level 6, will be entered into the raffle. A student will receive an additional raffle entry for each additional tally sheet completed. Prizes include free popcorn certificates, digital bookmarks, Barnes and Noble gift cards, and a Kindle!

Eager Reader Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I join in the program any time during the year?
Absolutely! We would love to join in at anytime during the year before the final tally.

Where should I start on the tally sheet if I am joining in mid-year?
If you are joining in any time mid-program, please begin at the beginning of the tally sheet and
hand the tally sheet in on the next tally due date. You will earn the prizes in order from prize one to prize six.

What can I count as Eager Reader Minutes?
Books read outside of the classroom, whether a paper book or e-reader, count as eager reader minutes.  Remember you should count minutes read to our emerging readers as well.

If I finish my first tally sheet, can I get another?
Yes. There is a prize for the most eager reader in each grade. Last year, all of our grade level winners completed more than one tally sheet. If our tally team notices that you are nearing the end of a sheet, we will try to send you home with a new one. If you need another mid-cycle, please contact the program Chair and we will have one sent home in student mail. If you complete multiple tally sheets, you will help the school reach our reading goals and you will be rewarded with a free popcorn certificate and a raffle entry for each additional tally sheet completed beyond the first sheet.

What kinds of books are available for students to select at the book award?
We purchase books from Scholastic that cover a wide range of reading abilities and interests for each grade level.  If there isn’t a book that appeals to your child, he/she may wait until the next Eager Reader book award to select a book.
Parents are always welcome to come to a book award during lunchtime with their child to help him/her select a book and parents should feel free to send book ideas to the program Chair.

What will happen if I am absent during the book award?
If you are absent during a book award, your award will be held over to the next book award. We keep track of the prizes due to and received by each student and we will work with you to ensure your student receives the prizes they have earned.

We are happy to answer any questions you have about this program – we want it to be fun and accessible for all of our IVE students.

Brenda Laurance and Natalie Hancock
Eager Reader Committee Chairs

blaurance@gmail.com
425.427.9565

 natbird711@comcast.net
425.391.3501

 

Sponsored by the Issaquah Valley Elementary PTA