Pupils are counting on reading
A CYNON Valley school’s initiative to get children reading will have meant an estimated 75 million words read by key stage three pupils by the end of the year.
Mountain Ash Comprehensive launched the scheme called Accelerated Reader this year, and the school says in just two terms, 81% of KS3 pupils have shown an improvement in their reading age.
The school’s literacy coach, Karen Simonov, said: “We as a school are thrilled with the impact Accelerated Reader has had on our students. To see our students reading for pleasure is the biggest reward for me.
“The scheme has been extremely popular within our school and as a result our pupils are now reading with great enthusiasm for enjoyment.
“Since September, our pupils have read over 69 million words to date with an estimated 75 millionplus read by July. This is something we at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School are hugely proud of.”
The scheme, which is run by Renaissance Learning, sees pupils read books according to their own ability before taking an online quiz.
Once a quiz is passed, points and the number of words read are allocated.
Ms Simonov added: “We have celebrated our reading successes with a variety of rewards throughout the year.
“We will be ending the school year with some special rewards, one of these will be to celebrate our winning form classes and members of our Millionaire Club – pupils who have read over one million words.
“Currently we have nine members of this club. This celebration will be a Domino’s pizza party for our winners. Every Word Millionaire receives a certificate, trophy and a goody bag, which includes stationery, sweets, chocolates and a £15 Amazon voucher.”
The scheme also means a “teacher forfeit challenge” for the last day of term.
That means if pupils hit their targets, teachers will complete a set of agreed forfeits.
For example, if pupils hit the target of reading 72 million words, three of the assistant heads will take the ice bucket challenge, or if 75 million words are read, the head teacher will take part in a lip sync battle.