Thomas Intermediate School Reading Renaissance Page

Reading Renaissance is a program designed to help students reach their full potential as readers. There are four main puzzle pieces to Reading Renaissance. Peek into any classroom at Thomas Intermediate School and you will see all of these puzzle pieces in action!

Reading Practice is the fundamental key to Reading Renaissance. Each child is given time at school every day to actually practice reading. Reading practice is done on each child's individual reading level. Reading on a level that is too easy or too hard will not help the student to grow or improve reading skills. This reading may be a mix of READ TO, READ WITH, or READING INDEPENDENTLY, depending on each child's ability level.

A Reading Motivation System is in place to help motivate the student to read. At Thomas Intermediate School, students are able to trade the points they earn for their reading practice for many different items and privileges. An Accelerated Reader Store has many items the students are able to purchase with their points. In addition to the store, students may also qualify for the STAR WALL. Following is a list of privileges students may earn.

Super Terrific Accelerated Readers WALL
75 Points	Name goes on STAR Wall
100 Points	Name announced over intercom; Sit at teacher's desk
150 Points	Eat lunch with teacher or friend at a special table in the cafeteria
200 Points	Office or library assistant for a day
300 Points	Staff member for a day
400 Points	Book donated to library in student's honor; half day off school
500 Points	Mystery Trip
600 Points	Lunch as principal's guest

Students that meet their individual reading goal with at least 85% correct in comprehension each grading period are put on the Wall of Fame.

As students move along the path of Reading Renaissance, they attain various certification levels.
Certification Levels
Independent Reader	Read 3 books independently and pass quizzes independently. Accumulate 10 points.
Super Reader	Read 3 books worth at least one point each and pass the quizzes. Accumulate 5 points.
Advanced Reader	Have Super Reader Certification. Read three books worth at least two points and pass the quizzes.
Star Reader	Read three books written at a 5.0 reading level or higher worth 5 or more points each, and pass the quizzes.
Classic Reader	Read 3 books written at a 7.0 reading level or higher worth 10 or more points each, and pass the quizzes.
Honors Reader	Read, pass quizzes, and accumulate 100 points from a challenging list of literature. This list includes all books on a 7.0 level or above worth at least 5 points.

The Accelerated Reader computer program is the third component of the Reading Renaissance program. After reading a book on their level, students take a quiz on the computer to assess their comprehension of the book. They must maintain an overall average of 85% correct in comprehension. The STAR diagnostic test is given to measure a student's progress.

The final puzzle piece of Reading Renaissance describes the teacher's role. This role is to:

• Motivate the student to read.
• Instruct the student in Reading skills
• Monitor a student's progress
• Intervene as soon as a child needs help.

Thomas Intermediate School has used the Reading Renaissance Program with great success. We believe that it helps build a life-long love of reading in our students.

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