
How
do
you
motivate
students
to
spend
some
of
their
extra
time
reading?
Michelle
Pohzehl,
Bennett
Elementary
School
principal,
addressed
this
question
recently,
and
with
the
help
of
reading
specialist,
Leslie
King,
came
up
with
an
interesting
solution.
The
brainstorm
idea
was
to
initiate
a
contest
that
would
challenge
each
classroom
to
read
for
a
minimum
of
20
minutes
per
week,
over
a
three-week
period.
If
the
students
met
the
minimum
goal,
the
class
logging
in
the
most
minutes,
would
have
the
opportunity
to
watch
their
teacher
pour
ingredients
for
an
ice
cream
sundae
on
the
principal
and
assistant
principal.
"We
decided
on
this
event
to
increase
the
usage
of
our
new
reading
program,
Lexia,
purchased
by
the
Division.
In
December
we
noted
that
we
did
not
have
consistent
growth
data,
especially
with
our
older
students.
We
had
already
seen
direct
increases
in
reading
ability
with
students
who
were
using
Lexia
consistently.
Ms.
King
and
I
brainstormed
fun
ways
to
build
motivation
and
get
children
to
try
the
fun,
new
program.
We
knew
that
if
we
could
get
students
to
try
it,
they
would
continue.
What
could
be
better
than
seeing
your
principal
get
sticky
and
messy,"
explained
Mrs.
Pohzehl.
With
the
challenge
issued,
students
went
to
work.
By
the
close
of
the
challenge,
700
Bennett
Elementary
Bears
reached
the
goal
of
60
minutes
per
student,
with
the
winning
class,
Karen
Murray's
kindergarten
students,
tallying
an
impressive
12,676
minutes.
Robyn
Klatt,
third
grade
teacher,
shared,
"My
students
really
enjoyed
the
contest
and
have
been
so
motivated
to
meet
their
goals
on
Lexia.
To
motivate
them
further,
I
have
been
announcing
the
students
who
have
reached
a
new
level
at
the
end
of
each
day.
As
a
class,
we
clap
and
cheer
for
that
student.
Although
our
class
didn't
win,
they
loved
the
ice
cream
sundae
event
and
felt
so
connected
to
the
school
as
a
whole.
My
students
can't
wait
for
the
next
contest!"
There
was
plenty
of
excitement
and
anticipation
as
Pohzehl
and
assistant
principal,
Karen
Haddock,
readied
themselves
in
chairs
at
the
center
of
the
school's
gymnasium.
Murray's
class
sat
physically
distanced
on
the
floor,
as
their
teacher
took
inventory
of
the
sundae
ingredients.
A
nearby
laptop
was
positioned
to
capture
the
moment
live,
via
Zoom,
for
all
remaining
student
contestants.
"I
encouraged
the
students
to
participate
because
it
was
a
fun
reason
for
kindergarteners.
Winning
the
contest
was
fun,
but
the
best
part
was
the
gains
the
students
were
making
in
just
a
few
short
weeks.
They
are
excited
about
it
now
because
they
know
they
are
learning,"
said
Murray.
Both
students
and
staff
delighted
while
watching
the
layered
application
of
vanilla
ice
cream,
caramel,
chocolate
syrup,
nuts,
sprinkles
and
whipped
cream.
Without
a
doubt,
a
fun
time
was
had
by
all,
complete
with
cherry
on
top.