Mrs. Connell's Class
  • Home 2019-20
    • Curriculum >
      • Language Arts
      • Math
      • Science & Social Studies
  • 2019 Supply List
  • Kids' Blog
  • Homework
  • Book Orders
  • Kids' Space
    • Math Enrichment
    • Reading Enrichment
    • Science & Social Studies
    • Puzzles & Brain Boosters
    • Research It!
  • Technology Resources
    • Favorite Apps

Reading for Dollars December

December Calendars Due January 7!

reading_for_dollars_book_logs.pdf
File Size: 613 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Reading for Dollars

In October we began a voluntary, at-home reading incentive program that will run from October through February. The intent of “Reading for Dollars” is to encourage and motivate all students to enjoy the wonderful world of books. Each third grader has been asked to read a "just right" book of their choice for at least 20 minutes 2-4 times each week.  
  • Students should record the title of their book, their starting and ending times along with total minutes read each day.  This is also a great mental math activity for figuring out elapsed times. Encourage your child to fill out the reading calendar each time they read. It is always very obvious (although they never think it is!)  when children have tried to play "catch up" by filling in their calendars in large chunks or all at once!
  • At the end of the month, students should use a calculator to add up all their minutes. Parents then double check the minutes and sign the calendar to verify the minutes are correct.
  • Calendars and reading logs should be returned to on the first school day of the next month.
  • If student are reading on the e-reader app Storia, you can simply print their reading log from the control settings and staple it to the  monthly reading log. 
The Big Bucks can be used to purchase prizes and privileges from “Mrs. Connell’s Big Bucks Store,” which opens four times between November and April.  Also, a reading goal is set each month. October's goal is 250 minutes. Any students who meet the goal will receive a certificate for a free Pizza Hut individual pizza. Students will be paid Big Bucks they have earned, even if they did not meet the monthly goal.

Students should be reading books that are at their reading level, not too hard or too easy.  Parent's read aloud time counts toward Big Bucks as does a third grader reading out loud to younger brothers and sisters.

This is an optional activity and will have no bearing on your student's grades. In the past, this program has been very successful in getting some reluctant readers reading, while still motivating and rewarding those who already have a love of reading. My hope is your children will enjoy their books, perhaps try something new and have fun in the process!

Happy Reading,
Mrs. Connell




Picture

$$$The Big Bucks Store $$$

What really gets the kids motivated to read is not getting paid, it's getting to spend that money at the Big Bucks store! The greater variety of "merchandise," the greater the excitement. 


If you would like to help out by donating items to our Big Buck store, it would be more than appreciated. If you are wondering what the children like--anything and everything! I purchase almost everything at the dollar store or Target's dollar section.They like toys of all sorts, pencils, bookmarks, notebooks, books, and on and on.


Donations of clean, gently used toys and stuffed animals are also appreciated.