Reading that begins as a quest for an extrinsic reward may eventually be done for purely intrinsic reasons. Some public libraries and private businesses sponsor summer reading programs with incentives for participants. For example, our local library sponsored a program that gave readers of at least ten books free passes to area educational attractions such as museums, discovery centers, and historical sites. For those who could not quite reach that number, they offered bookmarks and other small items. Similarly, a local pizza restaurant rewarded readers with free personal pan pizzas when they completed a specified number of books.
Parents can enroll their children in similar programs.
If your community does not have such a program, solicit volunteers from among your students' parents to approach local merchants, explaining the concept and rationale and requesting that they help you sponsor such a program. Offer a graduated system of rewards. For students who reach the minimal level, award bookmarks, special pencils, or other items. For the next higher level of achievement, award a gift certificate to a local fast food establishment or ice cream shop. The next higher level might be a free book of their choice from a list of available titles or subscription to an appropriate magazine.