Second Grade Accelerated Reading August 29, 2011
Your child has begun reading A. R. books from the school library and taking tests on computers in our classroom. Below is some information which may be helpful to you now that your child is in second grade.
Everyone in second grade goes to the library each Tuesday unless they did not return all their books from the week before. If your child is forgetting their books on a regular basis, they will fall behind.
Each day I ask every student if they are ready for an A. R. test, and throughout the morning he or she will come up to the computer to independently take their test. Some students are ready for two tests, and if we have time during the day, I will let them take both tests.
Parents do not have to sign a folder this year letting me know when your child is ready for a test. Your child has already learned how to keep a log in their A. R. Folder of the books they read each week.
Many students will actually be reading A.R. books at school and taking tests on them without bringing them home. The students are given several opportunities to read in the classroom during the day when their assigned seat work is complete. A problem arises when a student repeatedly takes too long to complete seat work and therefore does not have any time to read during the school day. (Mrs. Reinhart, our computer teacher, will be sending home a note which will explain how you can check on your child’s A.R. progress on the school website.)
The children go in groups to the library on Tuesday. I give Mrs. Symonds, the librarian, a list of what book level each child can check out depending on the number of books they read the week before and how well they did on their A.R. tests. Your child will be moved up to a higher reading level as they progress throughout the year.
Each child gets three/four books a week from the library and they should be reading and taking test on all of them. Those children who are bringing home picture books are currently at a lower reading level and need to read their book 2 times before they can take a test on the book. It is important that they read with you at home each night so that their reading skills will improve.
Once your child is getting 80% or higher on their tests, I will move them up to half point chapter books. They can read these books once and take the test as long as they are passing the tests. These books will include books like Henry and Mudge and Frog and Toad. As your child passes these types of books, I will then allow them to check out half point books at a higher reading level.
The goal is for your child to eventually read one point chapter books, such as Magic Tree House and Junie B. Jones, before the end of the school year in May. Some of your children will be reading one point chapter books before Thanksgiving. Others will move at a slower pace. It is important that each child loves to read at whatever level he/she is currently at, while at the same time be challenged to grow in their reading skills.
There will be an Accelerated Reading Field Trip to the Glen Oak Zoo in May for those students who reach their goal. A few of you have asked what the goal is for second grade. Each child’s goal is different depending on their abilities. For that reason, I do not set goals until the third grading period of the school year.
I hope I have answered some of your questions. If you have further questions, please write me a note or call me at 309-453-4583.
In Christ,
Mrs. Lelm