DIY Reading Treat Box

We love, love, LOVE this reading treat box idea from Tam at Sew Dang Cute Crafts (we found it via Kierste of Brown Paper Packages). We think it's a phenomenal way to get even the most reluctant readers to pick up a book! Here's the gist...

Tam decorated three book shaped boxes, stacking them on top of each other and labeling them "Today", "A Week", and "A Month". Each time her daughter reads a book, she gets to place a tally mark on the inside of the "Today" box - the lid is cutely painted with chalkboard paint - and select a small piece of candy from it. Once the lid contains seven tally marks (one for each day of the week), Tam allows her daughter to choose a piece of candy from the "Week" box and, if her daughter faithfully reads each day/night for four weeks, she is allowed to pick an even larger piece of candy from the "Month" box! In this case, reading really is a treat! =)

While this works fantastically for individual children, we think this could also work in a classroom setting. If each student completes their nightly reading, the class gets a tally mark and each child can choose a small piece of candy (i.e. a Starburst, a Hershey kiss, etc.). Because there is a reward involved {and because your students can help hold their classmates accountable for holding up their end of the bargain}, you might be surprised at how seriously your kiddos take this exercise. After accumulating seven tally marks, have students pick a slip of paper from the "Week" box that allows the class to do or receive something fun...

• 15 extra minutes of recess
• Play a favorite game
• Bonus points