Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 11, 1993 TAG: 9312140274
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEMBROKE LENGTH: Medium
This holiday season, a school Christmas Store, complete with gifts for mom, dad and sis, has turned all the children into avid readers, and earned them ``points'' for shopping at the same time.
``This is their reward for reading,'' Principal Rom Matlock said.
``It's just a carrot we're holding out there. We hope that some day, it will become intrinsic and [the children] will read because they WANT to read.''
The Eastern Elementary Christmas Store is set up in the girls locker room - for lack of space anywhere else in the school.
``It's better than last year,'' program coordinator Julie Galliher cq said, laughing. ``Last year, we had a broom closet.''
The Christmas Store operates like this: Pupils of all ages may choose books from a specific list, called the Accelerated Reading list. Once the pupil has read the book, he or she will take a computerized ``quiz'' which tests the pupil's comprehension of the book. The tests are scored and the pupil receives points according to his or her test score.
There is no limit to the amount of points a pupil may collect.
``If they're willing to read that much, that's fine with us,'' said media specialist Connie McCall.
The points are then used to purchase gift items for the child's family from the Christmas Store.
All the items at the Christmas Store are new, donated by local businesses or bought with money raised by the Parent-Teacher Association. Craft items also are accepted.
Last year, the Christmas Store was so popular, the place was wiped out. This year, Galliher and other planners will be prepared.
``We sent letters to area businesses and people in the community, telling them what we had planned,'' Galliher said. ``We had an overwhelming response.''
Galliher said they also have raised about $600 to purchase popular gift items - flannel shirts, slippers, gloves and local artwork.
``You would not believe the pride these kids have, after having earned their points,'' Galliher said. ``They do it all on their own. They pick out the gifts and they don't have to ask mom to take them to the store.'' Wrapping paper is even available so the children can wrap their presents on their own.
Since the Christmas Store began, circulation at the school library has almost doubled, McCall said. And often, she added, she will see a child recommending books to another child, a sight foreign to her before the Christmas Store.
``In 16 years in this position, I've never seen children read so much,'' she said.
Parents are pleased with the results, too. Not only are their children reading - without being compelled - but they also are reading good books.
The Accelerated Reading program includes the classics - ``Alice in Wonderland,'' ``The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' and the ``Nancy Drew'' and ``Hardy Boys'' mysteries. For the younger readers, there is ``Camelia Bedelia'' and ``Curious George,'' among others.
``My daughter bought things for everybody in the family last year,'' Kathy Wiegand said. ``She read a lot of books - and good books.''
The Christmas Store will be open through next week. Galliher and other parent volunteers hope every child can leave with a gift for a family member, one earned through determination and self-motivation, rather than a few bucks at a dollar store.
``It started out expensive [buying the computerized tests and additional computers], but we are now reaping the benefits,'' Matlock said. ``Once they start reading, no matter how they start, there is a better chance the kids will continue to read.''
by CNB