Reading is the key to
academic success.
In addition to novels or other books we read together in class, students are also required to read for homework. Sometimes the books for homework are self-selected, while at other times they are assigned. Students are normally responsible for reading around twenty pages a day at home every day.
I have reading conferences with the students to check on their progress. In addition, students take tests on the books using the Accelerated Reader computer management system. Each book in the A.R. program is assigned a certain number of points based both on length and difficulty of the book. After reading the book, the student is to take the computer test in my classroom. Based on the score received, the student will receive a percentage of the points; if s/he received a grade of 100, the full number of reading points is credited to the student. We also take A.R. tests on reading done in class.
Fourth graders should aim for at least 4 A.R. points a week, and fifth graders should aim for least 5 A.R. points a week; however, "Hall of Fame" students in my classroom in past years have received over 400 points in a school-year (fourth graders) and almost 600 points in a school-year (fifth graders).
The books the students read for A.R. credit may be from the school or city library, their own personal library, or the "book nook" I maintain in the classroom. Students need to be careful to avoid choosing adapted or abridged books without checking to see that these will be counted for A.R. credit. If in doubt as to whether a particular book is on our classroom A.R., students should check with me; there are books on the A.R. website we do not have tests for.
