Spotlight on the benefits of using Scholastic Reading Counts! at Abraham Lincoln Traditional School.

Reading Counts is a wonderful independent reading program.  When students have free or extra time from finishing an assignment they can read books that the teachers have in the classroom or from the library or take a quiz on a book they have already read.

In my class when I taught 3rd grade, for each 50 points the students received a free book certificate, which they could use on any classroom book order up to $1.95.  I pay for the free books by using my bonus points or by ordering the book certificates when offered at $.95 each for a book valued up to $1.95.  I tried to make the free books as easy on my pocketbook as humanly possible yet give the class incentive to read more books.

Now as the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade reading teacher, Reading Counts is 20% of the reading grade replacing the previous reading log. While the reading log makes sure students are reading, Reading Counts makes sure students are comprehending the story and if they aren’t, I know that too. This extra reading improves their comprehension skills and broadens their life experience since books take you anywhere you want to go by simply turning the page.

In addition to replacing the reading log I am also using this tool to print specialized reading lists for ELL students.  This way I can monitor what they are doing and gradually increase their reading level while still having them complete the genre book reports with the rest of the class.

We are very excited to have this program at our school.  The AIMS (Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards) reading scores in the Jr. High were excellent especially in the 6th grade where 100% met or exceeded the standard.  Parents are also seeing the benefit of this program and donating to enable the school to purchase more quizzes.  The Guild passed a request that allows me to order quizzes each month that go with the book orders so we are always getting the new quizzes.

Reading Counts is currently being used in grades 3-8 at our school.  As teachers see the benefit of this program with their classroom curriculum the scope broadens even more.  Students are always competing so each quarter I recognize the students in each grade level that has the most Reading Counts points. They are recognized during morning announcements and receive a certificate for a free book, which again I use my bonus points to pay for until I can find another funding source.

I personally hope every teacher takes advantage of this simple yet effective tool that is benefiting student achievement.

Stella Cravens
Abraham Lincoln Traditional School, Phoenix, AZ