MORE (Motivators of Reading Enrichment)

MORE encourages fourth-grade students to read for pleasure. Each participating classroom receives a MORE library of 55 high-interest books. A Better Basics volunteer awards prize books and incentives to student readers weekly. The National Assessment of Educational Progress encourages independent reading as one necessary aspect of literacy development. It also has documented an association between students who read for pleasure and reading achievement. MORE enriches young readers by motivating them to read widely, helping them establish the habits of reading and writing, improving attitudes toward learning and enhancing chances for school success.

Program Details:

Teachers allow students 30 minutes per day to read selections from the MORE library and to complete a 10-question book report to demonstrate and help improve reading comprehension. Students can earn a book for every completed report (up to two books per week), allowing them to develop personal home libraries. The MORE program is responsible for putting thousands of books into the homes of students every year, and often a MORE prize book is the first book a child has ever owned. Research suggests having books in the home provides an opportunity for other members of the family to be positively influenced. The practice often provides much-needed modeling for younger siblings and even encourages parents to improve their reading skills. Additional incentives are awarded when a student reaches the milestones of reading five (MORE T-shirt), 10 (silicone bracelet), 15 (blue ribbon) and 20 (water bottle) books.