Renaissance Learning

You may click on the link above to check reading levels for books that you have at home that your child may be reading.  Simply type in the information, such as author or title, and it will give you the reading level for the book if an AR test is available.  This year we have purchased the rights to every AR test that is currently available.  Therefore, if a test is available from this site, we will have it available for your child to take at Westwood.

Home Reading Log          

School Reading Log

About Reading Renaissance & Accelerated Reader

This school year the staff at Westwood is delighted to offer all of our students a new and exciting program called Reading Renaissance (RR).  This program uses a new and updated STAR test to help teachers determine each student’s independent reading level.  This reading level is called Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).  The ZPD is the level from which all students should be selecting books for optimal growth in reading.  It covers reading levels that should be comfortably challenging for reading practice.  While this range is a very important factor in determining what books are appropriate, success at any reading level also depends on a child’s interest and their prior knowledge

Students will be keeping a reading log at school to chart their reading.  We strongly encourage students to keep one at home as well.  Students at the third, fourth, and fifth grade level should be reading at least 60 minutes each day.  At school teachers will be working to provide students with around 30 minutes daily, but the other 30 should take place at home.

After students have completed their RR book they will, with permission from their teacher, be allowed to take a test on the book.  This test will be done using a computer and students will have to answer anywhere from 5 to 20 questions, depending on the length of the book.  These questions will check comprehension and understanding of the material that was read.  Students should be encouraged to read carefully as the tests will ask questions about even small details.  After the test is completed a report will be printed that will indicate how well the student performed on the test.  The report will tell how many questions were asked and how many were answered correctly.  In order to pass a test a child must score at least 60%.  If they pass they will earn points based on how many words were in the book. 

Each child will be given a point goal for each quarter (starting in the second quarter for some classes) and they will need to work toward that goal.  While working toward this goal students will be able to increase their comprehension, fluency, and understanding of how to use different reading strategies (this last part will be focused on during mini-lessons and other instructional times). 

One of the nicest components of this program is that it not only helps teachers determine a child’s reading level, it ensures that each child is reading a book that  is developmentally appropriate for them.  RR is completely individualized and works very well with our established curriculum.  This program targets all children and lets them work at a pace that best meets their needs.

If you have any questions about Reading Renaissance please feel free to contact me or your child’s teacher.  The number at school is (517) 647-2989

Sincerely,

Mr. Walter (Principal)

Mr. Wesche (Teacher)