Reading Assessments

All students have completed the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI); a test that evaluates a student’s reading level. In the test, students complete questions about passages they have read. These passages come from fiction and nonfiction books. Passages come from informational materials as well. Once the test is completed, the results are reported using the Lexile Framework for Reading. This is a scale for measuring a student’s reading level. This helps teachers place students in the READ 180 software program, match students to books for independent reading, and track each student’s growth. A letter will be sent home soon explaining your child’s SRI test results and his/her progress thus far with the Read 180 software.

Read 180 Instruction

This year, your child’s reading, writing, and spelling instruction utilizes the Read 180 program. READ 180 is an intensive, research based, reading intervention program that uses technology and print to meet the needs of students whose reading achievement is below the proficient level. The daily 90-minute instruction directly addresses individual needs through adaptive and instructional software, high-interest literature, and direct whole group and small group instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. Students have spent the last week being introduced and using the software and some of the books. They really seem to be enjoying the program.

Independent and Home Reading

At the beginning of the school year, I focus on finding “just right” books for students to read. These are books that students are interested in reading independently with still a little challenge. Students need to be able to read most of the words, have a good understanding of the text, and be able to completely read the book in a reasonable amount of time. We visit the LMC weekly for the purpose of finding just right books.

I suggest that students read a minimum of 15 minutes nightly. As often as possible, listen to your child read and retell the story to you. The more your child reads, the better chance your child has to become a successful reader.

Welcome back students

I would like to welcome students back to school. As we start the school year, students will make adjustments in learning new names, procedures, and routines. We spent the first week together reviewing procedures and getting to know each other.

Our first homework assignment was a "thinking" assignment. Students needed to think of a favorite book and be prepared to share with the class one reason it was their favorite. Some of the favorite books that were shared were books about trucks, Clam I Am, by Dr. Seuss, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, the Magic Tree House series, and the Junie B. Jones series.