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D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read)Time is Grace Miller's school-wide motivational home reading program.

The objectives for the program are for students to:

• Read for the love of reading.

• Read books at their instructional and independent reading levels so they can grow as readers.

• Understand what they read.

• Connect to text in a personal way.

• Account for their reading in a way that doesn't take the joy out of reading, but will make students accountable for understanding what they read.

• Involve their parents with them in reading.

• Read widely, a variety of genre.

• Connect with others as readers.

 

Book Selection: (Grades 2-5)

Students will select books in their Reading Range or Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which will be identified at the beginning of the year and will be re-assessed throughout the year using the STAR Reading test. Students will read books to meet an individual reading point goal or target. They will be given credit only for books read in their individual reading range and comprehension quizzes passed. Once their individual point goals are met for the trimester, they can read any book at any level. 

 

 After a student in grades 2-5 has read a book, he/she will take a brief comprehension quiz on the computer about the book. When the student passes a quiz, credit will be given for the book and counted toward the point goal for the trimester. Quizzes must be passed at 85% for those with 10 questions or more, and 80% for those with 5 questions. Quizzes can be taken in the library before school, during recess, and after school. Quizzes may also be taken in class with teacher permission. Quizzes cannot be taken at home. Parents may not help students taking a quiz. 

Teachers will monitor students' progress by looking at reports generated about each student and will conference with the student to ensure that he/she is on track to meet the reading goals.  Teachers may also require other documentation of reading to track the progress toward goals, particularly when students are reading lengthy books that take a while to finish. Teachers will provide opportunities for students to share about their reading. 

 

Time will be provided each day for students to read in class.  Additionally, students will also need to read at home.  Even though there will be a minimum requirement for reading each day, students are encouraged to read more than the minimum. 

 

Home Reading

 Kindergarten: Reading to, with, or by students 20 minutes per night, 5 nights per week. (Reading goal: 40 books per month, minimum) Students will take the STAR test when they are reading at an appropriate level. AR quizzes can be taken during the school year with a coach. A Reading Log will be used to monitor books read to, with, or by students. 

1st grade: 20 minutes per night – student reads two books; parent reads one. Students will take AR quizzes throughout the year as directed by the teacher. A Reading Log will be used to monitor books read to, with, or by students. 

2nd grade: 20 minutes per night; AR Goal will be generated as a target for reading. 

3rd grade: Trimester 1 & 2 @ 20 minutes per night + meeting AR goal Trimester 3 @ 30 min. per night + meeting AR goal 

4th grade: 30 minutes per night, target 80 pages per week + meeting AR goal 

5th grade: 30 minutes per night, target 150 pages per week + meeting AR goal

 

Students in grades 2-5 will receive credit only for points earned on quizzes passed that relate to their reading goals. Students in grades K-1 will still receive credit for books read and recorded on the reading log.