Middle School Gives Students Incentives to Read

Trying to get your child to read more? One storyteller has just the trick, reports Sue Ellen Ross, correspondent for the Post-Tribune. The "Magic Storyteller" paid a visit to Pierce Middle School recently and showed students how to make reading fun.

MERRILLVILLE, IND. -- There's a multitude of ways to encourage reading in young students, and Pierce Middle School recently took advantage of a unique one.

As part of the Readers are Leaders program, funded by a grant secured by teacher Lisa Hanlon, the "Magic Storyteller" visited the school recently.

"The purpose of the project is to promote literacy by recognizing students who read independently beyond the classroom," Hanlon said. "Pierce needs to find innovative and creative ways to not only motivate students to read but also to recognize those that do read."

The "Magic Storyteller" is Chris McBrien of Chester, Ill. His appearance was funded with part of the $2,700 grant.

McBrien takes his show on the road to visit schools in many states, using his own blend of comedy, illusion, puppetry and storytelling to interest students in reading.

"My goal is to use entertainment to re-frame messages and information the teachers give," McBrien said as he readied for his show. "I translate in a different way."

With a large poster reading "READ, LEAD, SUCCEED" in the background, McBrien related stories of his education as a youngster. He asked students if they have trouble retaining what they read.

"If you do, then you're not reading the right way," he said.

He continued this line of questioning, stating that students need to have a "movie" in their mind as they read words, so they can put it all into their memory bank.

Hanlon designed two other items that were included in the grant budget -- gift cards and a book corner.

Each week during the semester, a student is recognized as a "leader in reading." This individual receives a $10 gift card for a local bookstore and also an opportunity to visit the book corner.

Arranged near the school's main office, this area includes a big comfortable chair, bookshelves, a bulletin board, books and magazines. The student is allowed one hour during the school day to relax and read in the privacy of this area.

The bulletin board, located on the wall next to the chair, lists the name and picture of each week's reading star.

"The benefits the student will gain are recognition and motivation of their own literacy," Hanlon said.

For the complete story, visit the Post-Tribune.