Summer Reading!

A little over a month ago we instituted a reading reward program here at home.

We've always been avid readers here. The kids were not highly motivated however to choose many books outside their preferred favorites.

"What is something that you really want?" I asked Grace.

She answered without hesitation.
"Roller skates!"

"Ok, how many books do you think you can read to get roller skates?"

"Um...I don't know, twenty maybe?"

"Hmm...roller skates is a pretty big prize and you are a pretty fast reader. How about, forty books."

"Forty! That's a lot!"

"Yes. But...every ten books I'll give you a smaller prize. And six of each set of ten can be comic or graphic novels like Big Nate."

She thought those were acceptable terms.

Zak, also thought so. His desired prize being a remote controlled drone. Also, his limit for comic or graphic novels is only four for every ten.

Zak has already reached his goal. He is loving his drone!

Grace is still working on hers, she has read twenty-five so far!! And since Zak reached his so fast, I think I am going to surprise her with her reward at thirty instead. 

What this mostly told me is:

1.) Zak needs a much more challenging goal.

2.) I am completely fine with bribing my kids to read. I mean, rewarding them abundantly for something they already enjoy!

3.) They are wholy invested and reading all the time, which is amazing because I thought they read a lot before!

4.) My kids are awesome! (I knew this already, but I love when I get to tell others about it too.)

I have arranged for a book swap with some friends. We have quite a lot of books that the kids are done with and are not treasures stories, so we will trade them in for some new to us books. Its all free and everyone wins!

At the library last week, they were getting set up for the Summer Reading Program. We signed up. Since they are already reading, I figured they may as well get some bonus prizes!

I didn't sign up for the adult program, but I did decide to challenge myself to some summer reading as well.

A couple years ago, I found nearly a dozen Reader's Digest Condensed Books at a thrift shop for twenty-five cents each! I have yet to crack them open, though I love looking at them on my shelves. My goal this summer is to read at least one!

I don't know if I will reward myself, as just getting to read for pleasure is definitely a reward all in itself for me these days.

What will you be reading? Any goals or programs you will be aiming for?