NORWICH – Gibson Primary School will begin a new reading program for grades K-2 this year called the 100 Book Challenge. The program was started to encourage children to read both inside and outside of school, in hopes of fostering a love for reading.
“The most important thing to remember is it’s not about reading 100 books,” site coordinator Kisten Giglio said. The program encourages kids to read in 15-minute steps. “It could be called the 100 step challenge,” Giglio said, except that the program does not stop once you reach 100 steps. Giglio estimated that the students would reach between 400-500 steps this year, or 100-125 hours of reading.
“It is fast, fun, and easy reading,” Giglio said. The program works because it does not seem like a chore. The children read for 30 minutes at school and 30 minutes at home. They choose the books from a wide selection the school has to offer. Five thousand new books are coming in this year alone.
Giglio mentioned that one of the reasons this program works is because the students can read at their own level. Since every student is reading on their own, a wide range of books and reading levels are accommodated.
To ensure that the students are reading, a log book is used to keep track of what they are reading and when, and parents and other adults sign the book to verify that it is correct.
Every 20 steps, the students hit payday. Small rewards are given out to encourage the good work. These are usually trinkets and prizes. Every 100 steps there is a medal ceremony. Parents will be invited to the celebrations which will be held throughout the year.
“The program just works,” Giglio said. The program was piloted in three kindergarten classrooms last year and according to the site coordinator, within only three months, reading levels had visibly improved.
“One kindergartner in summer school asked if he could read for 45 minutes at home in stead of 30.” Giglio said. It makes reading fun for the kids.
The school judges progress by monitoring the words that the students know on sight. This also helps to make sure the students are reading the right level of books. Coaches help the children read during school hours, providing simple help, like making sure the student is pointing left to right.
“Coaches could be anyone. It’s just someone to sit down with the students and make sure they are reading.” According to Giglio, the school is always looking for more volunteers to be coaches between 8:15 and 8:45, and it does not need to be everyday.
“Anytime people can donate is greatly appreciated,” Giglio said.
The school is hoping that ultimately this reading program will help increase test scores and develop a love of reading.
According to Giglio, “The program is well set up, well supported. All the pieces are in place.” Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer reading coach can call Giglio at 334-1600 extension 4063.