This year we have been focussing on reading skills. Using Accelerated Reader, we have been measuring the progress of our students as they strive to get better at this vital skill.

Children are challenged to read 1,000,000 words over the course of the year and, whilst this can sound daunting, it also sounds an exciting challenge and many of our children aspire to achieving this.

Coming to the end of the year we are busy totting up the students’ words!

So, what does 1 million words a year mean day-in day-out?

It equates to roughly 40 chapter books, which is nearly a book a week and many of our children (and parents) are reading this much.

It means reading for around 15 to 20 minutes a day, which again many of our children are doing already.

Many of our early readers won’t read this much yet, but we can encourage regular reading to lay the foundations for them being able to achieve this in the future.

When a student completes a book, they complete a quiz about the book that they have just read. This then adds the number of words in that book to their word count.

All students have a recommended reading level based on their ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) this is shown as a colour code on their books. Books from home can be used as well, if there is a quiz for that book.

Please use the following site to find out – https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/default.aspx

Remember also, that reading books over the summer can help reading improve.