Reading Incentive Program

My Very Own Book is running our reading incentive program at seven schools during the 2011-2012 school year. (Learn more about the schools at the bottom of this page.)

Click here to see the short video shown to the students at the beginning of the year to explain the program to them.

During the first week of school a letter goes home to the parents. Parents in participating elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods are asked to become a reading partner to their child and follow the helpful guidelines below.

1. Choose a quiet place where your child (or you and your child) can read without being interrupted. Be sure a running TV or radio will not disturb you. Let the phone go to voicemail.

2. Whether your child is reading alone or with you, make the reading session at least 15 minutes, gradually increasing the time as he/she is ready.

3. If the book is too difficult for your child to read alone, it is fine to read to your child or along with him/her.

4. Discuss the story with your child so that comprehension will improve.

5. Do no correct your child unless it affects the meaning of the story. If your child needs help with a word, calmly say the word, which will keep the story flowing, thus allowing better comprehension and enjoyment.

6. Each Thursday evening or early Friday morning fill out the Reading Club Log with your child. Make sure he/she takes it to school and turns it in to the teacher on Friday.

Parents will be helping their child not only become a proficient and happy reader, but will also be helping him/her earn rewards for the effort. Reading is important and we want to honor those who take time to do it.

At the end of each six weeks period, each teacher will turn in all weekly reading logs to the Reading Club Coordinator. After reviewing the logs, Reading Awards Assemblies will be held to honor the students. The following awards may be earned:

PreK – 1^st Grades 2^nd – 3^rd Grades 4^th – 6^th Grades

100 min. = bronze certificate 350 min. = bronze certificate 600 min. = bronze certificate

300 min. = silver certificate 500 min. = silver certificate 800 min. = silver certificate

400 min. = gold certificate 600 min. = gold certificate 900 min. = gold certificate

All students receiving any level certificate will receive a coupon for a free, new book provided by My Very Own Book. The Reading Club Coordinator will arrange a time for students to redeem their coupon and select their very own book at the "Free School Book Store."

Participating Elementary Schools

All of our schools are Title 1 elementary schools. Our program motivates readers, but also puts new books into the homes of families who may not be able to afford to purchase their own new books. Based on the parameters we give them, each district chooses the school(s) they feel can benefit the most from our program. We are continuously striving to raise more money so we can expand to more schools every school year. We served three schools during 2009-2010, five schools during the 2010-2011 school year, and are now serving seven schools during 2011-2012.

Audelia Creek (Richardson ISD)