Last week the students of Mustang Creek accepted my
challenge to read one million minutes during the 2012-2013 school year in
exchange for a radical stunt performed by Mrs. Suffield and me. What is the radical stunt, you ask? Well, students spent last week writing
persuasive essays describing what they believe to be the most outrageous,
humiliating, and humorous acts that will motivate 770 kids to read. The top three essays, judged by Mr. Wilson
and Mr. Suffield, will be voted on by the student body next week. Students from kindergarten through fifth
grade entered the “Magic Million” essay contest. Some of their creative and persuasive ideas
included: jumping from an airplane, kissing all sorts of barnyard animals and
reptiles, sumo wrestling, eating a variety of disgusting concoctions, sleeping
on the roof, and wearing featherless chicken costumes.
Research suggests that there is a direct link between high
academic achievement and minutes read.
Students MUST read at home. If
our students read 30 minutes a night, 4 times per week, in just one week our
school will have read over 92,000 minutes.
In 27 weeks, Mustang Creek could easily achieve 2,494,800 minutes read. That’s well over our one million minute
target. Each class has set a class-wide goal. I know that several classes are engaging in
healthy competitions among their grade level. Ask your child what the goal is for his/her
classroom, help your child set a personal goal, and assist in keeping track of
the minutes read at home.
What are the reading parameters? There are none. Just read.
Students can read a book, a magazine, a blog, a list…whatever. My only rule is that they must actively read
and record their minutes. Did you know
that one of the best ways to get kids to read is for you to read? You must model a love for reading. Take them to the library and share your
favorite books with them. I encourage
you to join our “Magic Million” challenge.
Turn off the television and READ!
Do you want to be a millionaire?
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