An up date on our new ‘Accelerated Reading’ computer based program

As we mentioned, we are implementing a new scheme for home reading called ‘Accelerated Reading’ at Partington Central Academy. At present this will be for KS2 pupils and implementation for KS1 later in the school year.

Accelerated Reader is a computer-based program that schools may use to monitor reading practice and progress. It helps teachers guide pupils to books that are on their individual reading levels. Pupils take short electronic quizzes after reading a book to check if they’ve understood it.

Your child has completed a short multiple-choice test within their computing session time to determine a reading level. Books in that range will be at a level suited to your child, challenging but not too hard for your child to access. Your child will be able to select a book of their choice and for their enjoyment.

These books will replace home-reading books however our policy for reading will remain the same. Your child will still need to read a minimum of 3x per week and planners still signed accordingly. We ask however, that you record in the planner if your child has finished the book and require a quiz. Your child will then be able to complete a short multiple-choice quiz in school relating to the book in order to test their comprehension skills. This will take place in the classroom or in the ICT suite. Each book is worth points and your child is able to gain these through regular reading and successful completion of quizzes based on the books they have read.

The children are very excited at this new approach to reading as it promotes reading for pleasure and gives access to a greater range of books. In most cases, children really enjoy taking the quizzes. Since they are reading books at their own reading and interest levels, they are likely to be successful. Best of all, they learn at their own pace.

We welcome your support with this new scheme. Throughout the coming term we will provide further information on how you too can track your child’s progress in Accelerated Reading. A program called Home Connect is easy to use and allows you to view the books your child has read and quizzes taken.

Thank you for your cooperation