"Other kids quit because they can't keep up"
From the Post Star: A 9-year-old has been dominating the Hudson Falls Public Library's summer reading contest for kids since he was a kindergartner -- and now the library director says the kid should "step aside" because he "hogs" the contest each summer. (Also: the library has a system in place to catch cheaters after an incident several years ago in which a kid and her parent claimed she read 200 books, but -- gasp! -- they were lying. We'll never watch a elementary school reading contest the same way again.) [via @JonCampbellGAN]
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Comments
Does a child win prizes for this?
... said mg on Aug 16, 2013 at 2:45 PM | link
I'm not a fan of the whole "everyone gets a prize" thing, but this isn't sports or a spelling bee or some other competive activity. At it's core, this is a program to encourage children to read over the summer when other activities typically get in the way.
I don't want to discourage the two kids from reading, but they've already demonstrated/learned they read much more than anyone in their age cohort. Maybe a good learning experience for them could be basic humility, as they stand back, knowing they could win the contest if they wanted, but not needing the validation of actually having done so.
... said Jay on Aug 16, 2013 at 3:55 PM | link
Read the linked article, folks, and I don't think you will feel this way. The librarian has a bug up her bonnet and should take a deep breath. Rewarding kids for reading is not a bad thing.
Solution if the same kid wins ever year? Honor three top readers, not one, and give them each a t-shirt. (Yes, that's the grand prize for gaming the system if indeed that's what he's doing.)
... said Burnt My Fingers on Aug 16, 2013 at 5:41 PM | link
So is Vonnegut's short story Harrison Bergeron on the library's list for summer reading suggestions?
... said Gina on Aug 16, 2013 at 6:22 PM | link
I think participation medals and randomly picking a winner out of a hat are baloney. It also sounds like this librarian has a personal grudge against either these kids or their mother. But if it's a legitimate concern that these two kids are dominating the program and discouraging others from even trying, why not set individual goals, instead? Kids who read 40 books get X. Those who read 50 books get the even better Y prize. Etc. That encourages all the kids to read as much as they can to achieve a higher prize level.
... said JennK on Aug 16, 2013 at 7:25 PM | link
@ Not sure I agree, Jay. Because the learning experience the other kids will be getting is that they can win if someone will clear the field of over achievers who are willing to work hard to win and maybe are more gifted. Life (higher education, careers) will be full of alpha competitors who take all the prizes.
... said chrisck on Aug 16, 2013 at 8:07 PM | link
@Jay, what does "stepping aside" accomplish, though? So, a different kid wins instead. I hardly see what difference that makes in the grand scheme of the contest. Do the masses feel better? Doubt it. Still, one top-reader.
The article doesn't outline the details of the reading program, but why can't there be different levels of achievement? Bronze, silver, gold, and top-reader. Bam! Now kids compete against the system and less with each other, and there's room for personal improvement (goal setting) year-to-year.
... said Chuck T on Aug 17, 2013 at 12:14 AM | link