Scholastic Reading Counts inspires independent reading, guides instruction, and tracks reading progress.  Using the software, students generate reading lists based on their own Lexile level and interests.  They can choose from a wide variety of topics, including animals, sports, science fiction, history, humor, and more!  After independently reading a book, a student takes a computer-generated quiz.  They demonstrate completion and comprehension of the book by correctly answering multiple-choice questions.  A personalized congratulations screen appears for passing it. If a student does not pass a quiz, he or she can revisit the book and retake a quiz with a different set of questions.  A student may attempt each quiz three times total.  Up-to-the-minute, data-driven reports help inform and differentiate instruction when a student is struggling and needs intervention.

Students read more and become better readers using Scholastic Reading Counts!  In addition to reading great books, they can monitor their own progress in the program and gain satisfaction when they meet attainable goals.  While word count goals are fun to reach, we must focus on the ultimate goal, which is to build excellent life-long readers who read because they love to read!  We recommend students select books that are 100 points below or 50 points above a student’s SRI lexile level.  Books should be age appropriate.  Just because a book falls within a student’s lexile range, does not mean it’s appropriate.  Please see the Media Center’s Edline page and click the Reading Counts related link listed under “News.”

Parents should set aside time to discuss what students have read and how they feel about what they have read.  It is the conversations about what we are reading which are most important between parents and children.

The Reading Counts Code of Ethics, featured below, was developed by Timber Trace students in third, fourth, and fifth grades.  The Code of Ethics must be followed in order for the program to be truly successful.  Please review the Timber Trace Reading Counts Code of Ethics with your child(ren).  We appreciate your support of this valuable program.