Reading Counts
Del Cerro Elementary LMC is using Scholastic Reading Counts as our reading incentive program. Reading Counts is motivational reading program designed to encourage 1st through 6th grade students to read at their own pace and be accountable for the books they read. It is sponsored by our PTA and is run by Del Cerro’s LMC(Library Media Center) staff.
It is our goal that students will 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.
How Reading Counts Works
Del Cerro has more than 43,000 quizzes in its Reading Counts database. When a student reads one of these books, he or she may take a short computer-generated quiz in the LMC to verify comprehension. The student must pass the quiz with a 70% or greater to earn credit. If the student doesn’t pass, he or she may retake the quiz up to two more times as early as the next day or during their next library visit.
For each quiz passed, students earn points based on the point value of the book they read. The Point values of books are listed in the Reading Counts list.
Finding a Reading Counts Book
Reading Counts books are identified in the Del Cerro Library with a colored sticker on the spine according to Lexile range. At the beginning of the year, and twice more during the year, students take an SRI test in the LMC to determine their Lexile level. If you do not know your child's Lexile, please check with their teacher. Students may also use the Handbook which lists all the books by title, author, and Lexile ( a measurement of reading comprehension). While all the titles are listed in the Handbook are in our quiz database, our library may not have the book in our circulation. We encourage students to visit their local public library to seek appropriate titles. The Del Cerro Reading Counts Handbook is available for review in Library Media Center. The Reading Counts QuizList is also available on our web site through Reading Counts Quizlist Interactive.
Guidelines to Student Success
Reading Counts is a long-term “assignment" to encourage our students to read. It is not a competition. We recommend students read regularly and at their own pace. Each teacher assigns the points needed per trimester for their class. We discourage students waiting until the end of the trimester and taking too many tests in a short period of time.