PreK students even read outside on the playground in the afternoon when the weather was permitting. All students first read independently, then either paired up or worked as a group. They interactively worked on either Kindles or laptops, wrote book reports and shared them with their respective classes.
Every student from prek through fifth grade utilized their time wisely, reading from the start of the school day at 8:30 a.m. until the dismissal bell sounded at 3 p.m.
“We wanted to prepare the students because the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test is four hours,” said Mr. Royal Burton, the reading instructional coach at East. “They need to practice to sustain themselves that long without breaks.”
Fifth-graders took the STAAR reading test on March 30, with 88 percent passing, said Ms. Gayle Voltz, the campus director.
Instructional coach explains the Read-a-Thon (video)
Third- and fourth-grade students will take the STAAR reading test on May 10. On that day, fifth graders who did not pass the first reading test will be tested again. l A final 5th grade retest is June 22. Kindergartners through second grade students took the Stanford 10 test last week.
STAAR is a series of state-mandated standardized tests used in Texas schools to assess a student’s achievements and knowledge learned in the grade level. Stanford includes reading, math, language, spelling, listening, science and social studies. In addition to writing book reports, which are still to be reviewed by Ms. Voltz, students rated the books, using stars or a happy or unhappy faces.
"Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
“Our first annual Read-a-Thon was a great success,” Ms. Voltz said. “I witnessed first-hand students reading with pleasure and enjoyment.”
She said the ultimate goal is to make reading fun and engaging for students instead of them reading teacher-mandated textbooks.
Fifth-grader Gabriela Olivares, who is in Mr. Roosevelt Leday’s class, said she took delight in reading about science and enjoyed the group reading exercise as well. “You can learn from your friends,” she said. “You understand it better because of the way they explain things.”
Story by Mr. Royal Burton and Mr. Peter McConnell, district communications director