Reading Counts at Manatee Cove!
The goal of the Reading Counts (RC) program is to help students become better readers by encouraging them to read books just above their current reading level. By stretching in this manner, rather than reading books that are too easy, students develop stronger decoding skills, larger vocabularies and better comprehension of complex text.
Reading complex text is how we push our brains to the next level and become stronger readers. By reading text that is too easy, the brain doesn't have to expend any effort and therefore isn't learning - it's just practicing what it already knows. Consider this... would you become better at math by only practicing 1+1=2 over and over? Of course not! We need to "stretch" our brains by trying more challenging tasks if we plan to actually learn and grow!
Reading complex text is how we push our brains to the next level and become stronger readers. By reading text that is too easy, the brain doesn't have to expend any effort and therefore isn't learning - it's just practicing what it already knows. Consider this... would you become better at math by only practicing 1+1=2 over and over? Of course not! We need to "stretch" our brains by trying more challenging tasks if we plan to actually learn and grow!
Reading Counts Policies
In order to participate in Reading Counts, all VCS and Manatee Cove Elementary usage policies must be followed. These policies include:
· The pass rate for RC tests is 80%, meaning students must answer 8 out of 10 questions correctly to pass and earn the RC points. This is the district expectation for the use of this program.
· Students must read all RC books independently and they must take the tests independently. They cannot have help reading the tests, nor can parents read aloud to students and then have their children test on those books.
- Please use non-RC books for family read-alouds, but PLEASE read aloud daily! There are millions of wonderful books that are not RC books you can use for reading aloud!! Try new and different books - you'll be glad you did!
· Students may not take tests on books that are below their reading level.Books must be at the appropriate reading level. Point grabbing is NOT allowed. Read appropriate books and plan ahead to do extra reading if you have a goal you need to meet and time is running out.
· Students will be removed from RC if these policies are not being followed. Please do the right thing and set a great example for our students. Encourage your children to choose books that are “just right” for them, meaning not too easy and not too hard.
· The pass rate for RC tests is 80%, meaning students must answer 8 out of 10 questions correctly to pass and earn the RC points. This is the district expectation for the use of this program.
· Students must read all RC books independently and they must take the tests independently. They cannot have help reading the tests, nor can parents read aloud to students and then have their children test on those books.
- Please use non-RC books for family read-alouds, but PLEASE read aloud daily! There are millions of wonderful books that are not RC books you can use for reading aloud!! Try new and different books - you'll be glad you did!
· Students may not take tests on books that are below their reading level.Books must be at the appropriate reading level. Point grabbing is NOT allowed. Read appropriate books and plan ahead to do extra reading if you have a goal you need to meet and time is running out.
· Students will be removed from RC if these policies are not being followed. Please do the right thing and set a great example for our students. Encourage your children to choose books that are “just right” for them, meaning not too easy and not too hard.