UPDATE to my summer reading metal saga

[lurknomore]

OP: pandce.proboards.com/thread/455460/summer-reading-program-wwmmd

Short version:  Our library summer reading program has a final milestone of 100 hours read in 60 days, which is an unreasonable goal for my rising 2nd grader (and every other mom I've talked to this summer).  DD really only cares about earning the medal which is the final prize (100 hours read).  There are prizes along the way for smaller benchmarks.  DD only wants the medal.

I spoke to the librarian this weekend.  For the most part, she totally blew off my concern and thinks 100 hours in 60 days is completely reasonable for a 7 yo (keep in mind this is the same program that the entering K and 1st graders do too...same benchmark all the way from K to entering 6th graders).  OK then.  The only good take away from the conversation is she told me ALL reading counts (which I knew).  So I've decided to very liberally count everything.  She loves math and is doing math stuff everyday in addition to the reading.  Well, since she's reading instructions while doing that, it will count.  She spent a couple of hours this weekend doing a computer program the school provides.  That time will count.  She wrote a story for DH for Father's Day.  That time counts.  They spend ~20 minutes/day singing songs at camp and hand out the words beforehand.  I'm counting that since she is reading those words to learn the songs.  Basically I'm counting anything that is remotely related to reading.  If, doing so fair and square gets her to 100 hours, great.  I'll be thrilled for her.  If she doesn't, well, then hopefully she will want to try again next year.

As I mentioned, we do have our own reward system in place at home.  She just really wants this medal.  I can buy her one, but its not the same.

And, FWIW, the crew on MMM is clearly more righteous than anyone I know in real life.  I've spoken to several other moms who are all just making up the reading so their kid gets the medal.  Clearly this feeds into the problem, though, as it makes the library feel like this is an attainable mark for such young kids.  It's a no win situation.

[countthestars]

Thanks for the update. I'm sad that she wasn't more receptive to feedback, but I agree with your approach to counting her hours and hope she gets the medal this year.

[Ashley&Scott]

Good update. It seems strange to me that kindergartners & 6th graders have the same goal...

[sparkythelawyer]

I think this is a solid approach. She's reading, which is what counts. Go little Lurkie go!

[jeaniebueller]

I think you are handling it the right way by including all cumulative reading she does all day. I am really surprised that the other parents you know are okay with just cheating. That just seems wrong.

[Deleted]

This is a board of high achieving rules followers--what kind of answer did you think you would get?

[cricketwife]

Sounds like a good strategy. I'm sorry the librarian wasn't more helpful.