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<\/div>\nDON’T Require Student Participation<\/h2>\n
Read-A-Thons can help to foster an excitement around reading, but some students might get anxiety or feel pressured to read more than they are comfortable. Students can usually judge this for themselves and so any student that chooses not participate in the Read-A-Thon or wants to participate in their own way, should be allowed to do so.<\/p>\n
SEE ALSO<\/strong>: 11 More Fundraiser Ideas<\/a><\/p>\n If there are prizes involved in your Read-A-Thon, you should provide a list of rules or guidelines for everyone to follow. Points to consider include:<\/p>\n You are very<\/em><\/span> likely to receive some positive and negative feedback from parents as the event progresses and you may want to make changes to the rules and the event based on that feedback. Unless the change is critical to the success of the event, don’t do it. This will likely cause more problems than it will address. Instead, collect feedback from students and parents throughout the event and once the event is done, discuss with the organizers the changes that should be made to next year’s Read-A-Thon.<\/p>\n A $5 gift card for a scoop of ice cream can go a long way in maintaining interest in the event. The more winners the better, so consider offering weekly and grand prizes for the top students in each class, grade, and school as well as participation prizes.<\/p>\n DID YOU KNOW?<\/strong>\u00a0ForOurSchool.org<\/a> offers class, grade, and school leaderboards that can be reset weekly<\/p>\n Reading and donation goals can help propel students to read more and gather more donations than they would otherwise, but if the goals are set too high, some students may get discouraged and give up. Instead, set achievable goals and once reached, consider increasing the goals so that the students stay motivated.<\/p>\n THAT’S INTERESTING!<\/strong>\u00a0In ForOurSchool.org<\/a>, reading and donation goals can be set on the school, class, and student level<\/p>\n Students will probably find that their friends and family are excited to support their reading journey, but getting that first donation can sometimes be daunting. Plus, if it doesn’t come early, students may feel discouraged and lose interest, so to avoid that, ask the parents or the students themselves to consider making that first donation. Even if it is only for $1, it may create the momentum needed to reach new highs.<\/p>\n SEE THIS:<\/b>\u00a0ForOurSchool.org<\/a> offers students and schools personalized donation pages where donors can leave messages of encouragement<\/p>\n While a Read-A-Thon can be large source of funding for your school, the focus of the event should stay on the actual reading. Make it easy for students and parents to ask friends and family for donations and offer suggestions to maximize it, but leave it up to them to decide what they want to do.<\/p>\n If you’re ready to kick off your own event, explore our step-by-step guide to hosting a Read-A-Thon<\/a>. For a different but equally engaging option, consider hosting a Math-A-Thon. These can be profitable, educational, and fun school fundraisers. If you’re interested, check out our list of Math-A-Thon DOs and DON\u2019Ts<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nDO Provide Clear Rules and Instructions<\/h2>\n
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DON’T Change the Rules<\/h2>\n
DO Offer Weekly and Grand Prizes<\/h2>\n
DON’T Set Unachievable Goals<\/h2>\n
DO Ask Parents and Students To Make First Donations<\/h2>\n
DON’T Over-emphasize the Donations<\/h2>\n
Make Fundraising Fun and Educational<\/h4>\n
![\"Outstretched](\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/donation.png\" "\\"Donation")
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![\"Podium](\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/leaderboard.png\" "\\"Leaderboard")
\n <\/div>\n![\"Plus,](\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/arithmetic.png\" "\\"Arithmetic")
\n <\/div>\n![\"Progress](\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/progress-bar.png\" "\\"Progress")
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