What do an elementary school in Nebraska and another in Pennsylvania have in common? They've both found a new solution for two ongoing educational problems. It promotes good behavior and increases student interest in reading. Their secret weapon? Book vending machines that transform good behavior into the gift of reading.
At both Dodge Elementary in Grand Island, Nebraska, and Ross Elementary in Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania, administrators faced familiar challenges: How do you motivate students to maintain positive behavior while simultaneously encouraging them to read more? The answer came in an unexpected form – Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine.
Both schools discovered a winning combination and here's how it works:
- Good behavior earns rewards (golden tokens)
- Tokens provide student choice in book selection
- Students build home libraries
- 100% participation ensures no child is left out
In Grand Island, Nebraska, a creative partnership between Read-Nebraska and Teammates has revolutionized their approach to reading motivation.
Principal Angie Eberle explains their inclusive strategy: "Our plan is, at each student's birthday or half birthday, they will get a token and they'll be able to purchase a book from the vending machine. That way we guarantee every student at Dodge will get a book this year."
The impact has been particularly significant as it expands beyond just reading. Melissa Almond, Program Coordinator of Teammates, shares her observations: "It's awesome because Grand Island has historically mentored middle school through high school for the Teammates program. Adding the elementary fifth graders to this has been exciting to see them light up when they see the books. They get to pick a group of books that they're really interested in and that's been kind of exciting and I'm excited because the kids are excited."
At Ross Elementary, reading specialist Amanda Plisko emphasizes the behavioral aspect: "That human element of being kind or working toward a goal can get a student a gold coin." Their goal is ambitious but achievable: "Our goal is have students get a book and create an at home library, be able to get books take them home and that's their book to keep," Plisko explains.
The students' enthusiasm is palpable in their own words:
The parallel successes of these two schools, despite their different approaches, demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of book vending machines in:
- Creates positive reinforcement systems
- Provides immediate, meaningful rewards
- Motivates continued good behavior
2. Reading Engagement
- Generates excitement about book ownership
- Allows students to choose books they're interested in
- Builds home libraries for continued reading
3. Equal Access
- Ensures every student can participate
- Removes economic barriers to book ownership
- Creates shared experiences among students
Both schools found success through:
The success stories from both Dodge and Ross Elementary prove that regardless of your school's size, location, or specific challenges, book vending machines can create positive change through:
2. Measurable Outcomes
While the vending machines serve as exciting centerpieces, schools are integrating them into broader literacy initiatives:
These two schools demonstrate that whether you're in Nebraska or Pennsylvania, urban or rural, the combination of behavior rewards and reading incentives through book vending machines creates a powerful tool for educational success. Their stories prove that with the right implementation, you can:
Ready to join schools like Dodge and Ross Elementary in transforming both student behavior and reading engagement? Contact us for information about Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine. Learn how you can implement this proven solution in your school.