Daily Independent Reading
Students will read independently for ten minutes in class every day. Therefore, students are expected to always bring a chapter book to class (any chapter book they want). Each Friday, students will respond to their reading by filling out the reading check below. This allows me to quickly check on a student's reading speed and comprehension as they progress through a novel of their choice; therefore, I can intervene asap if a student is struggling to read at the appropriate pace, or if they are struggling to find a book they enjoy!
I use the results of the above reading check-in to give each student a 1, 2, 3, or 4 score on their weekly reading. This score identifies whether or not a student is meeting the Massachusetts standard of proficiency for reading independently. These numbers do not equate to a grade. Rather, they are simply used to track student progress, which enables me to meet them where they are in my efforts to grow their love of reading. :) My goal is to get all students in the 3 zone by the end of the year!
Standard of Proficiency
"The student can independently and proficiently read and comprehend literary texts representing a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives and exhibiting complexity appropriate for at least grade 8."
I USE THIS
TO SHOW THIS
Ultimately, I stay away from large summative assessments for independent reading, because my goal as a teacher is to create life-long learners who genuinely LOVE reading! And a love reading does not begin or end with a test (I can only imagine how my love for yoga and cooking would plummet if I was given a weekly/monthly test on these activities). Independent reading is about fostering growth and joy in the reading process, which is why the above assessment is not linked to a grade.