To the delight of the students, Bob Jones Academy elementary principal Dan Barbrow and assistant principal Jenny Klipp recently submitted themselves to silly, outlandish and possibly embarrassing activities—all in an effort to challenge students to read.
While Barbrow set aside his normal dress suit and tie and donned a plaid shirt, overalls, work gloves and a pitch fork, Klipp pedaled around the building ringing the bell on her tricycle as she greeted students. Students cheered and chanted “R-E-A-D” as Barbrow and Klipp visited with students during lunchtime.
These activities were a reward for the students. Barbrow and Klipp issued the reading challenge to the students, promising to perform if 97 percent of them finished their reading goal for the week. And read they did! The BJA students met and surpassed the goal, but that wasn’t the end of the reading. One week later, elementary students again shattered the goal—even without a challenge.
“It’s important to have fun in school as well as work hard,” says Klipp. “Sure, riding a tricycle all day was silly and crazy, but it motivated the students. We want to see students develop a lifelong love for reading, and seeing them dive into books made it well worth it.”
Feb
17
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