Parents & family, would you like to be a

"Mystery Reader" in our class this year?

Contact me for guide lines and dates.

Our Literacy Program consists of:

1) 'Guided Reading' uses our Mcmillan basal reading textbooks, and leveled reading books. Some students will also be instructed using the SRA Reading Program.

2) 'Spalding Phonograms' along with 'Spelling Notebook' are used as our phonics program.

3) 'Literacy Stations' which allow students time to practice their reading skills

4) 'Content Area Reading' uses mainly our Social Studies and Science texts.

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The school has produced a DVD with Spalding phonogram usage for parents and students to check out and use at home or purchase. We also have inexpensive student phonogram cards for sale in our school store to practice with at home.

Phonogram practice is also available on the Lee School District's website. Click here then scroll to the last link titled "Spalding DVD" on that page.

Accelerated Reader

     Accelerated Reader is a program that measures and ultimately increases student reading comprehension.  The program allows readers to select books from our school and public libraries that are on their own individualized reading levels.  After students read their books, the second grade teachers have students write summaries of the books.  Then students take computerized comprehension quizzes on their books.

     Students have quarterly AR goals to reach.  AR goals are comprised of points students earn from their AR quiz scores.  Most books that our second graders read are worth 0.5 points, although some longer books are worth 1.0 point.  As students complete AR quizzes, they receive a printout of their scores called T.O.P.S. Reports.  I review each report with each child to give them feedback on their scores, score averages, and goal completion.

     This is how to decipher your child's reading levels (book levels): The first number represents a grade level.  The second number represents the number of months above the grade level.  For example, a 2.0 book level means second grade, beginning of the year.  2.5 means second grade, fifth month level.

    If your child is struggling in AR with his/her average percent correct, read to and with your child each night and ask your child questions about the book to check his/her comprehension.  If your child is struggling to keep up with his/her point goal, make sure he/she is reading and/or writing about his/her AR book each night for homework.

     I love to raise book levels when students show proficiency at the level I have set for them.  I require that students have 3-5 100% scores at the highest level I listed for them and their average percent correct is not too low.  Once a student is on the levels of 3.0 to 3.4, there is an additional requirement to raise levels.  In order to raise levels above 3.4, students must also have acceptable scores on these levels in chapter books.