September 19, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Family Read Nights are underway at Smithville Elementary, DeKalb West, and Northside Elementary as part of the Accelerated Reader Program.
Read Nights give parents an opportunity to spend quality time reading with their children on designated days and times after school. Other family members may also participate in reading with the students.
“It’s a good thing. It helps the kids learn how to read. We try to come at least once a week so they can earn their AR points,” said Rebecca Waggoner, who read to her children during Family Read Night Wednesday at Smithville Elementary School.
Accelerated Reader is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Students select books on their reading level, read independently, and take an independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. Students get a percentage of these points based on how many of the test questions they get right. The program tracks their progress over the course of the school year.
“Its nice for parents because they can actually see their children’s growth in reading by participating with them,” said Dr. Danielle Collins, Federal Programs Supervisor for the school system
Family Read Night occurs all year long so check with your child’s school for a schedule.