Get Those Kids to Read-- 100 Club!

We all know that the more you do something, the better you get at it... and that includes getting our students to read!  And read a lot!

A few summers ago, I read The Book Whisperer and loved it!  If you've not read it, it's so inspiring and motivating!  Well, as I was waiting for my new professional reads to come in the mail this summer (Teach Like a Pirate and  Comprehension Connections), I revisited The Book Whisperer for inspiration while I waited.

Now, the first time I read it, I wanted to do something like she did in the book to motivate my students to read, read, read and so I started something in my classroom called "The 100 Club".  Is it just me or will kids do anything to be in a "club"?  {On a side note, I had 23 out of 26 kids miss three or fewer homework assignments this past year so they could be in my homework club!}

Back to the club... to be a member of this club, kids just have to read.  And they can read as few as 50 books to join.  Kids reading 50 books, on their own time- NOT during Daily Five in class, can be BRONZE members.  Kids reading 75 books (again, on their own time at home or school- NOT during time I give them for reading) are SILVER members.  And the biggie... kids who complete 100 books (home, own time, etc...) are GOLD members in the club.

I have a banner hanging in my classroom and I add students' names on a sticky note to the level of the club they've completed...  I made this banner on VistaPrint.

they get a Brag Tag...

 

and they also receive a printable award!  At the end of the year, we have a celebration for the club members!

Students have a recording sheet they keep in their FALCON folder (which is a school to home to school folder) and they write down book titles as they read them.  I also use this as a way to help them remember to take AR tests since they're writing down things they've read at home!

The way I have it set up is that they have to read 35 assigned "types" of books and then 65 of their own choosing.  The 35 include things like 8 chapter books, 2 books about our state, a book by an author from our state, 5 biographies, 5 math concept books, etc...

Now, if you're thinking that 100 books is too many and that this isn't possible... when I first started it three years ago, I was worried.  I actually thought parents would be mad at me for suggesting such a thing!  This is #1 OPTIONAL and #2 COMPLETELY do-able.  Parents were very receptive and excited to see their children excited about reading and making a goal.

I did it for 2 years when I taught 1st/2nd grade and had HUGE participation.  One of my 2nd graders completed it FOUR times!  If you require nightly reading and you have 170 days of school, students have to read almost one book per night and they can complete this.  And it's at each students' individual level so they are choosing books that are readable for them.

I love this club.  One hundred is such a magical number and kids get so proud and excited to have accomplished the feat of doing 100 of something... and it's BOOKS... so that's even better!

After re-reading The Book Whisperer, I was so re-energized about the 100 Club!  I completely re-vamped my awards, reading list, etc... and added a ton of goodies to the pack!

I have just listed it on TpT and will give away a set to a random commenter tomorrow!  So, let me know what you think in the comments and check it out on TpT if it sounds like something that could help your kiddos love and grow as readers!  This would work for grades 1-5 and I think even K could use this program with parent support!

Click the pic for more info!

Find the 100 Club on TpT or TN or my blog shop!
You can use the coupon 5OFF at my blog shop to get $5 off a purchase of $20!