In today’s digital age, promoting a lifelong love for reading in our children is more important than ever. One place that has continued for over 20 years is Book It (a.k.a. Bookit) and for good reason. Book It, which was conceived as an incentive for children to read, has been recognized as a favorite in homes and classrooms across the United States. In this article, we’ll cover what bookit is, how it works, why kids might love it, and how parents and teachers can get the most out of the program.
What Is Book It?
Book It is a nationwide reading reward program created in 1984 by Pizza Hut. Promotion of habit of daily reading among young students is the major objective. Students that meet their reading requirements are rewarded with a free Personal Pan Pizza, making reading a rewarding and delicious experience.
Over the years, Book It has become a cherished part of childhood for many, keeping millions of kids motivated to read. The informal name for this campaign is “Bookit”, but both terms refer to this same initiative.
How the Book It Program Works
Book It is intended for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Here’s how the program typically works:
Enrollment
Classrooms can be registered for the program by teachers or homeschool parents at the Book It website. Enrollment is typically free and occurs annually for the following school year.
Goal Setting
Teachers establish age and ability based monthly reading goals. This can be books read, minutes spent reading, or some other countable thing.
Tracking Progress
Teachers monitor student reading progress and gauge whether goals have been achieved each month. And there are flexible tracking solutions for homeschooling parents, too.
Reward Coupons
When a student reaches their reading goal for the month, they win a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut! Valid for one Personal Pan Pizza.
Digital Options: Book It In The Modern Age
To keep up with the digital age, Book It now offers a service called Book It Digital. A modernised portable program available in your web browser:
- Digital reading logs
- Online progress tracking
- E-books and E-certificates on reading_BY_AUTHORITIES
- Improved control over the Classroom for teachers
This newer edition provides an easy way for teachers and parents to focus on reading goals in a remote or hybrid learning setting, with the details held closely to the heart of the program.
Advantages of Book It
The Book It program is about more than the promise of free pizza — it teaches a number of good habits and educational benefits to young readers.
Fosters a Love for Reading
Book It is inspiring because, it links something you hold in your hands, like a piece of candy, to something like reading, which makes children think of reading as something fun rather than something they have to do.
Promotes Goal-Setting
Children learn the importance of goals and goal-setting while at the same time enhancing their skills and knowledge in areas outside of academics.
Involves Parents and Teachers
With the partnership, we work together with educators and families to form a support system around the student through his or her journey of literacy learning.
Encourages Consistency
As the program stretches from October to March, it encourages students to read throughout a number of months, which builds in good habits.
Tips for Success with Book It
If you are a parent or teacher who is seeking ways you can squeeze the most out of the Book It program, here are a few strategies to try:
Choose books at the student’s reading level, but also books that will be a bit of a challenge. Choose subjects that interest children to ensure they remain engaged.
Create a Reading Schedule
Reading daily or weekly practices help establish routine. It’s amazing how even as little as 20 minutes a day can add up.
Celebrate Achievements
As well as the free pizza, think small – classroom or family celebrations when a goal is accomplished. This result is self-reinforcing.
Use Reading Logs Creatively
Have kids decorate their reading logs or keep journals of what they’ve read. Which is why I think this adds a creative component to it.
The Legacy Of Book It
The Book It program has made an indelible impression on American education. Since it began, more than 65 million children have taken part, reading hundreds of millions of books between them. A lot of adults still remember the thrill of scoring their pizza and credit Book It with sparking their love of reading.
Even some famous people have reflected on having been the beneficiaries of Book It. In interviews, public figures have recalled how the program helped inspire them to read more as children, showing its impact in the popular imagination beyond the classroom.
Book It FAQ’s What is the bookit?
- Is Book It free to join?
And yes, the program is absolutely free to teachers, schools and homeschool educators.
- May families who homeschool join in?
Absolutely. We warmly invite families with home-schooled students to register and set personal Reading Goals for their children
- How do educators (or program organizers) give rewards to students?
Pizza Hut rewards students who reach their reading goals with coupons they can use to get a free personal pan pizza at participating locations.
- What ages are eligible?
The program is aimed at students in kindergarten through sixth-grade, but some teachers may make light modifications for older or younger readers.
- Is there a mobile app?
There isn’t a dedicated app, but the digital platform is compatible with mobile and can be accessed on a smartphone or tablet.
Final Thoughts
Book It—affectionately called Bookit—continues The Book It program—affectionately called Bookit—is still a time-honored, effective program that mashes up learning with fun. In a world increasingly filled with apps and digital distractions, Book It is a simple and effective way to encourage children to read more. It is a structure that makes sense for educators, encourages parents, but, most importantly, gets kids excited about books.
Whether you’re a teacher wanting to fuel literacy in your classroom or a parent hoping to turn reading into a fun habit at home, Book It has all the resources — and rewards — you need. So sign up today, set those goals and get reading (and pizza eating)!