Scholastic Book Fair was here on campus the last few days. Each reading classroom has had a friendly competition raising money to buy new books for the classrooms. 7th grade did an amazing job raising a couple hundred each class. Between 7th and 8th grade, the reading classes raised just over $800. The reading teachers were able to buy a good amount of new books to take back to their classrooms.

My students did not raise as much as the 7th graders did, but we did raise the most within the 8th grade reading classes. I decided to pitch in a few extra bucks to make sure I had 2 books to give away each 6 weeks, one for a boy and one for a girl. Students here take AR (Accelerated Reading) tests on the books they have read and earn points. I decided that for every 10 points a student earns, their name will go into drawing. At the end of each grading period, I will draw a boy's name and a girl's name and let them pick out one of the books that was purchased today.

So far the student's are excited and are looking forward to the friendly competition with one another. I may consider end of year incentives. Suggestions are welcomed.