Reading program provides incentives for Eugene students

Courtney Soltvedt, a program representative for Usborne Books & More Reach for the Stars, and reading teacher Dani Schaeffer explain how to log reading minutes. The program challenges Eugene Elementary students to read 30 minutes each day for 14 days.
Courtney Soltvedt, a program representative for Usborne Books & More Reach for the Stars, and reading teacher Dani Schaeffer explain how to log reading minutes. The program challenges Eugene Elementary students to read 30 minutes each day for 14 days.

EUGENE, Mo. - For the next two weeks, Eugene Elementary students likely may be found with a book in their hand whenever they have free time.

If the 350 students collectively read 117,600 hours, reading teacher Dani Schaeffer said she would cut 10 inches of her brown hair and donate it to a wigs-for-cancer program.

Teachers hope the Usborne Books & More Reach for the Stars program will aid the school's emphasis on inspiring lifelong readers.

Prior to the Tuesday start date, students were given a packet to log their reading minutes, to make a wish list of books they'd like to own and to collect sponsorships for their reading log.

The goal is 30 minutes daily of reading in any form - silently, to someone or listening to someone.

The program also encourages each student to collect a minimum of $30 for their reading log. From that, 60 percent will go toward books for the student has chosen. The remainder goes to the teacher for classroom books.

The school gets 100 percent of the donations through this program, Usborne representative Courtney Soltvedt said.

Students who earn the top donations or read the most minutes in two age categories, preK-second grade and third-sixth grades, will receive a day pass to Big Surf waterpark or a $30 gift card. And the class that reads the most earns a grand prize pizza party.

To add to the fun and encouragement, March 7-11 will be Reading Week at the Eugene school. Theme days include dress like a tourist, superhero, superstar and favorite 20th century decade.

The two-week incentive program brings a fresh perspective for students to the idea of reading, Schaeffer said.

Research says children rarely read for enjoyment, she noted. Some students don't know how or what to read if it's not for an assignment, Schaeffer said.

"You can't replace a real book in your hands," Soltvedt said. But, "kids today don't just sit down and pick up a book."

Using this program, Six Flags Read to Succeed, Accelerate Reader and others, Schaeffer said her goal is to help students find the right books, authors or subjects to look forward to reading for a lifetime.

"I always say: "Kids do not hate to read, they just have not found the right books yet," Schaeffer said.