Scholastic Reading Counts

What Is It?

Reading Counts is a reading motivation and management program. I use it to encourage students to read and to monitor their independents reading ensuring comprehension.

What Are You Responsible For?

You are responsible for READING. You will select a book within your personal reading range (assessed by Mrs. Laurich). You are expected to have a Reading Counts book at all times. You read at your own pace, write a few sentences about the book in your Reading Counts Journal, and take a short quiz on the book to make sure you understood what you read.

If you achieve 80% or better on the book quiz, then TERRIFIC! You may put a sticker next to your name on the reading chart in the classroom.

If you are unable to pass the book quiz, then you will need to reread the same book and test again. You will have three chances to pass the quiz on the same book. You must pass the quiz on the book before moving on to another book. If you try three times to pass the quiz and are unable to do so, then please meet with Mrs. Laurich before moving on to another book.

Where Will I Get My Reading Counts Books?

Reading Counts books are available in the classroom. We have special bins of books that are just for Reading Counts. Books from your personal book list may be found in the school library as well. Sometimes you may find these books at the public library, or you are welcome to purchase them from local bookstores. Additionally you may be able to purchase them through our monthly book order.

How Do I Take a Quiz?

The quizzes are given on the computer. The Reading Counts Program keeps track of your answers and gives you a score at the end of the quiz. It also keeps track of a lot of other information. It tracks the name of each book you have read a tested, the quizzes you've passed, the total number of words you've read, the score you got on each quiz, and your overall average score and reading level. That's a lot of information! Mrs. Laurich will send home a print-out of this information, so your parents can share in your successes.

Set a Goal for Yourself!

My goal for you is to read and pass the quiz on at least one book each week. You may want to set your goal higher than this. Many of you will be able to read and pass two, three, or even four books in one week! Go for it!!

Why Read?

Reading improves performance in school

(Fifth Grade Example)

Anderson, Wilson and Fielding

Achievement Percentile	Minutes of Reading Per Day	Minutes of Reading Per Year
90%ile	40	2,357,000
50%ile	12.9	601,000
10%ile	1.6	51,000

Parents, How Can You Help

You can set aside time to read with your child every day. Encourage your child to read alone. Remember, less TV and video game time and more reading should be encouraged.

You might try the following technique: Your child reads one-on-one with an adult. The adult reads the text first providing the model. The child reads the same passage to the adult with the adult providing assistance and encouragement. The child rereads the passage until the reading is fluent. This may take three to four re-readings.

Putting Reading First, The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read, Partnership for Reading, U.S. Dept. of Education

 

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