FORT FRANCES—The Pizza Box Home Reading Program, organized by Ed Cain, local literacy co-ordinator (jr. division), is getting underway at several schools within the Rainy River District School Board.
Many students in Grades 4-6 have received a pizza box filled with a variety of books and reading materials, which they are able to take home for about two weeks.
Then the boxes will be returned and rotated so students will have different materials to read.
“Research clearly indicates that students who independently read on a daily basis do better in all areas of their school lives,” Cain wrote in a letter which was distributed to parents and guardians.
“We want all of our students to develop a love for reading,” he stressed. “So here’s a great opportunity for our kids to continue on that journey.”
In the past, Cain had implemented similar home reading programs within his own classroom, which were successful. But each year he became aware of ways to improve his programs—particularly supplying a wide range of reading materials.
And he stressed he has never organized the program to an extent as large as this.
With about 17 classes participating across the district, Cain prepared 400 pizza boxes—each filled with various novels, picture books, non-fiction texts, magazines, and newspapers.
Close to 1,000 books are on loan from the Fort Frances Public Library.
“There are reading materials for both boys and girls, but the program has been designed for boys’ literacy because we know we have to increase boys’ literacy rates,” Cain noted.
He feels a home reading program with provided reading material can be more beneficial than the regular library programs most schools run.
“If the students have these books at home at their finger tips, they would probably actually read, but they might be books that they wouldn’t take out of the library because of the peers,” Cain said, adding he also has incorporated materials at a variety of ready levels.
“So every student will find a ‘slice’ that is just right for them,” he remarked.
In addition, the pizza box contains a record of all the reading materials that are inside as a reference to ensure they’re all returned.
A reading log also is provided as students are encouraged to keep a record of their reading at home.
Cain said in order for students to receive a certificate for a personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut (which donated all the pizza boxes) and an opportunity to become an all-star reader (receive a medal), each is required to complete a minimum of 15 minutes of home reading for five of the seven days each week.
If the student reaches the monthly goal, they will be given a certificate for a personal pan pizza.
At the end of the four-month program, if a student has completed all the required reading, they will be awarded the all-star reader award and medal and will be invited to a “Celebration of Reading” party.
Cain also noted the home reading program is being used as a research project to gauge students’ attitude on reading.
Students will be surveyed at the beginning of the program and then towards the end to see if there are any changes in their attitude towards reading.
“The program is a huge commitment on the classroom teachers,” Cain added, noting they have to keep track of where each box is, the condition in which they are returned, and ensure all materials are returned.
“But it has worked well for me in the past,” he said. “The students seemed to love it. They were very eager to see what their next box of books would be like.”
And in the five years he has run similar programs, only a few text ever went missing.
“I’m hoping it will be a really beneficial program. We just want kids to read independently and to develop a love of reading,” Cain stressed.
He indicated primary classes in some schools may have their own home reading programs, but stressed it’s important to continue reading programs into the junior grades.
He explained this large-scale Pizza Box Home Reading Program is a model for teachers—and hopes it is something they’ll want to implement into their classrooms in the years to come.
Cain also wanted to thank the school board, Pizza Hut, the Fort Frances Times, and the Fort Frances Public Library for their assistance and support with the program.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
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