Our AR program is run by the teachers in conjunction with the librarian. We don't give prizes either. Each teacher assigns their students a number of AR points that must be done as part of their grade for each term. As the year progresses the number of points needed goes up. The kids seem to like doing the tests and compeating against themselves to achieve a higher goal each marking period. It helps that all our teachers and admin staff are on the same page. We also have what we call SRR. For the last half hour of the day everyone in the school students and staff stop for 30 minutes of Silent Sustained Reading. The the final bell rings at the end of the day it's not uncommon to find kids staying behind to get that last few pages of the chapter read. In Middle school that AMAZING!

We do not offer prizes of any kind. Each teachers sets a goal with the individual child and it is part of their grade. Some teachers have a goal chart and as students reach specific point values, their name goes up in the classroom. My sons 2nd grade class earned a pizza party from the teacher when all of the students in the class reached a certain number of points. But over all, AR is an individual activity, based on the students learning ability. If they don't read much, they won't reach the goal that they helped set and their grade will suffer.
AR has been very successful in our schools (K-3) & (4-8), especially for students like my 5th grader who would much rather be outside riding his skateboard than reading a BOOK!. He has to read, and read carefully in order to pass the test and make the grade.

Our computer teacher runs our AR for the entire school (800+ students prek-6th). Every student has the same amount of time and the results are awesome.

He has individual achievement awards, classroom competitions, and a small prize program. Leading readers and classrooms are posted just outside the computer lab and updated regularly. Awards are given out during end-of-quarter assemblies (certificates) and prizes (incentives) are given out during short AR assemblies. Most students compete for the pride of their name being in the top 10, but the whole school is listed on computer printed sheets.

I think competition is good for two reasons. One: It does push both readers and non-readers to read more. More than their friends, more than the next class (my son's class has won each of the last 3 quarters, but it has been closer each time). Two: competition provides a huge lesson to everyone. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That is life. Get used to it. The winners learn that everyone wants their position so they have to work twice as hard to keep that spot and the losers (are there any real losers when it comes to reading?) learn that they have to try harder and work harder but that they control their own destiny.

I think that you can award certificates to everyone if you choose, but the real incentive to a kid is a prize or pride or both. Our Read It! (K-3rd) program is based on a prize for every 10 books read. Everyone has an equal opportunity and it is competitive too. These kids really work hard for their classrooms and for those prizes (starts with small trinkets and works it's way up to bigger prizes like lunch with the principal and classroom parties).

have to agree with lcc that this can get to be a heated topic. our school use to really play it up until a few years back it got so heated because of too much competition. Some kids were so upset because they were "left" out. So after a new librarian came in the principal stated her concerns and the banner that use to be hung in the class room with the most points "got" lost.It is no longer announced in newsletters or on the wall who ahs how many points. Now every child is invited to a half year reading celebration(roller skating, movies, etc.) and we would do a year end dj party. This year that has been cancelled becuase they want to do something different but not sure what. Bottom line now every child gets the "prizes"Very little incentive here but most people see it better than what happen years back...

AR can really turn into a hot topic if given the opportunity. Our school relies on it differently for each grade level, but it does account for part of the student's grade. They are also given incentives through the year by having their picture placed in different point categories, and at the end of the year they are awarded based on the top ten readers in each grade, and the top ten in the school. The debate comes because some teachers stress it more heavily than others, and then some teachers start later than others. Add in mom and dad's competitive nature (more so than the children), and it can get ugly. The program is run by the teachers with the director of the Media Center heading it up. PTO pays for the end of year awards, which include trophies, certificates, books and other items. Classes also compete against each other in that they are awarded "bricks" for every 100 points earned. The bricks then come together to form a castle and is on display near the cafeteria.

I didnt' think I had anything to contribute here because I've never been involved with AR. (We did Read Across America, which ended in a big pajama party but not AR)
I was however, a kid once! I didn't start to really enjoy reading until I was in 6th/7th grade, even though I was good at it. Before then, I wouldn't have read unless I had to or was motivated to. The prizes were what I wanted and for me, what those prizes were didn't really matter, just that I won because I have always been competitive. (yes, those who know me, must be SHOCKED! [img]smile.gif[/img] )
A couple of big prizes (a bike, gift certificate to the bookstore of their choice) is good too. Top prizes motivate the competitive ones. the ones who love to read won't care what the prizes are. It's the rest you need to lure. Maybe a bounce house party in the gym.
If you have the time, why not go to the source. Pass out a survey with some prize ideas to the kids and a write in other at the bottom. younger grades(K and 1st) can hand vote with the teachers), and see what motivates them?
They'll have better answers than any of us will.