Motivation and enthusiasm for reading matter. One way we build excitement and passion for reading is a classroom Book Raffle!
Why a Book Raffle?
Launching a book raffle, it’s always very suspenseful and dramatic when I introduce new books to my kids. My kids do the whole finger/desk drum-roll, I slowly pull the books from a Scholastic or Barnes & Noble box, and read the book blurb in my best reading reading voice. (My kids tell me I have a fantastic reading voice) đ Basically, it’s one of my favorite things to do, and I have the kids eating out of the palm of my hand. (These graphic novels were from Donors Choose!)
How a Book Raffle Works
Book raffles – originally from Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer – can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them. Traditionally, I err on the side of plastic cups and scraps of notebook paper.
- Students each receive 1 ticket (or scrap of paper) to enter into the raffle. If the raffle has been scheduled for several days, I will use it as an opportunity to reward positive behavior and choices. Still – everyone receives at least one entry, no matter what.
- A plastic cup is placed in front of each book. Sometimes I set this up the morning of a raffle or earlier in the week, so students have time to look at the books and make their choices!
- After I have dramatically introduced the books and convinced every kids they MUST read the new books, every hand shoots into the air wanting to read all the books at the same time. đ
- I set the timer on the board and students have ______ minutes to decide which book they want to enter to ‘win’.
The Small Details
So – the details? The students who ‘won’ each book has a week  to return the read book to me, so his/her friends have the chance to read the book, as well! I will keep the cup with tickets in it to decide who is ready to read it next. Students can only have one book “won” from a Book Raffle at a time. So, if a student’s name was called a second time, they would have a tough choice to make. 
I really enjoy using this system for distributing new books. It keeps everything a little more fair, it build an excitement for reading, the new books are read quickly. The speed matters, so the books be shared with others, and the kids LOVE it.
Where To Get Books?
- Half Price Books – Learn about their educator program here!
- Goodwill or other thrift stores
- Scholastic Book ClubsÂ
- Donors Choose
Other Ways to Build Excitement for Reading
- 8+ Ideas for Building Excitement for Reading
- Hosting a Tournament of Books
- Student to Student Book RecommendationsÂ
- Hosting a Reading CelebrationÂ
- Themed Book ShelvesÂ
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I've done a raffle with my kids to get first dibs on a book before too! You're nicer than me though, I intentionally held back Flora and Ulysses and The One and Only Ivan from my kids so I could use them as read-alouds this year! Haha.
-Nick
Sweet Rhyme â Pure Reason
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Haha – I agree, Nick! We already read The One and Only Ivan and Flora & Ulysses as read alouds, so I was willing to hand them over. đ
LOVE IT CATHERINE! What a super motivator and way to get new reads into their hands! Anything that involves a contest is motivating! I MUST do this in my classroom too! Do the ones who don't get picked get put on a waiting list? Thanks for sharing and linking up friend!
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
Thanks so much, Joanne! And yes, on the waiting list they go! When the book is finished they have 1 day claim it before it goes to the next person. đ
What a great way to generate interest! Love it!
Jenny
Suntans and Lesson Plans
I love this idea. I love introducing new books to my class. I even have a bin for new books (or new to our class for the ones that I pick up at used-book stores or the library). You must have an amazing classroom library!
Brilliant idea! I am definitely going to try this the next time I do a book order. Nothing drives me more nuts than when I spend a billion bucks on an order and someone doesn't pick up one of the books!
Alison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
My teammate just shared this idea (and the book) with me and we did this the week before spring break:) The kids loved it! I really like your idea of giving a second ticket to those who have their work done….that may spark a fire under a couple of mine who have been slacking…hmmm. Thanks for sharing:)
4th Grade Frolics
This is a great way to build interest and motivation in students to read new books! I am going to have to try this. Love it!
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
It sounds like fun! The only problem for me is getting the books back! My students "forget" them at home… đ
I have a huge book order arriving – and since it is close to the end of the year, I will try it! The kids are wild about new books and everyone wants them! Thanks for sharing this great idea!!