Curriculum Matters

Year 7-8

Accelerated Reader update

In Stage 4 classes, all students read for 10 minutes at the beginning of every English lesson. They should also be reading at home for at least another 10 minutes each day. To ensure that students are reading books that continue to engage and challenge them, we use the Accelerated Reader program. 

At the beginning of each term, students complete the AR Star Reader computer-adaptive reading test. As with any test, many factors can affect a student’s scores. This test provides us with each student’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) which spans reading levels that are appropriately challenging for reading practice. This range is approximate. This ZPD helps students to find books but success at any reading level depends on your child’s interest and commitment to regular reading habits.

The ZPD is analogous to the Goldilocks story because it allows every student to select reading material that is:

Questions to ask your Stage 4 child about their reading:

• What is your ZPD this term?
• How much growth have you had so far this year?
• What book are you reading now?
• Who is the author?
• What are you enjoying about this book?
• Would you like me to read with you?

Jacqueline Galvin | Literacy and Differentiation Coordinator