Prize Drawings motivate readers

We recently ran a successful program at our elementary library where we gave away books and posters to K-6 students in a drawing. Students earned tickets for the drawing by meeting their second quarter classroom reading goal and could earn additional tickets by reading over winter break. 

The idea started when I attended the AASL national conference and collected a variety of autographed books and posters. I wanted to give them away to kids but wasn't sure how to choose the recipients. I finally decided on doing a drawing and tying it to reading. In addition to the autographed books and posters, I also added more to the prize options. I offered books I got through book fair points or through donations so I had prizes for all ages. 

I introduced the program in December before school let out for break, and students received tickets for meeting their quarterly reading goal. ​Students wrote their name on each ticket they earned and put it into the tub that matched the prize they would like to win. 

Students could earn extra tickets by tracking their reading over winter break. They could color in a circle on their snowman for every 20 minutes they read over break. There was a space to list the book title, date, and an adult's initials to verify the reading. For every hour of reading, they earned another ticket for the drawing.

Every student who returned their snowman Winter Reading Challenge page could choose a prize: a sticker, bookmark, or eraser. 

 Students could return their completed winter challenge page the first two days we returned from break, and we drew for winners the first Friday we were back. The program was so successful, I may make the winter reading challenge an annual event.

The most coveted item was an autographed advance reader's copy of Millie by McCall Hoyle.  Hoyle's book Stella is on this year's William Allen White (statewide reader's choice award) list and is very popular. This fifth grader was a very happy winner!

EDITED TO ADD: This drawing was for grades 1-6. I organized the prizes on the table by interest level. I offered a modified drawing for kindergarten. I printed a list of all their names and cut them apart. We had two books to give away, so kids put their name into the tub that corresponded with the book they liked.