Reading Counts!Woohoo! I get credit for reading!

What it is

You read books on your own. After you finish a book, you take a ten

question multiple-choice test on the book.

If you pass, you get points!Those points help your grade!

Why we do it

Reading helps your vocabularyReading helps your writing styleReading teaches you about life, the

world, people, and other culturesReading well makes you successful in

schoolThe state goal is that you read one

million words this year!

What books can I read for RC?

Scholastic has written tests for over 40,000 books!

There are books of all sorts and all levels on the list.

The list is online… google SCHOLASTIC RC CATALOG

When new books come out, it takes a few months for them to be added to the list.

Some books aren’t on there…

What if my book is not on the list?

Show the book to your teacherIf the teacher approves the book for

you, then you can write a book report on the book

The teacher will decide how many points the book report could earn

After you turn in the book report and talk to the teacher about the book, you get points for the book!

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS

check the list before you read the book.

Don’t just listen to your classmate or look at the side of the book. Double check.

Books you may not take tests on

Books you read in previous grades

Books that the teacher says are too easy for you

Books that your parents don’t approve

What about summer books that I just finished?7th graders may take tests on a

maximum of TWO books you read over the summer.

You must take these tests in September.

Remember to review the book first, to make sure you recall the details.

Only from summer, NOT from last year.

Books you may not take tests on

Books we might read in class in 7th or 8th grade: The Outsiders Treasure Island Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Clay Marble The Red Scarf Girl My Brother Sam is Dead The Call of the Wild Flowers for Algernon Touching Spirit Bear

CHOOSE BOOKS YOU ENJOY

Don’t just read a book because it has a lot of points or because it looks easy

Read what you love, and the points will follow!

Ask the librarian or your teacher - we can recommend genres or authors you might like

What topics interest you in life? From skateboards to horses to the CIA, you can read about it.

PARENT APPROVAL

Your parents are in charge of monitoring the CONTENT of the books you read

Just like movies & TV - every family has their own standards/ policy

Some books might be inappropriate for you, based on your family’s values and beliefs

You MUST show a parent signature for all books

TEACHER APPROVAL

BEFORE you read the book, you must get the teacher to sign your reading record keeper sheet

NOT THE SAME DAY as the day you want to take a test

PLAN AHEAD!If we don’t know the book, we might ask

to see it. Please have it with you.

READ IT ALL, READ IT WELL

The original version No Great Illustrated Classics No Cliff’s Notes No watching the movie instead of reading No shortened versions/ little kid versions

You must read EVERY WORD of EVERY LINE of EVERY PAGE of EVERY CHAPTER of the book before you take the test.

Passing Tests

The tests are pass/fail.A passing test score is 7/10 for English

7 and 8/10 for honors students.When you pass, no matter if you got 7,

8, 9, or 10, you get 100% of the points!If you fail, no matter if you got 6, 5, 4, 3,

2 or 1, you get 0% of the points.

When you pass a test…

Raise your handWait for the teacher to come and look at

the computer screen and sign your paper.

You got FULL POINTS for the book.Choose a new book!

When you don’t pass a test…

Raise your hand and wait for the teacher to check your score.

You CAN retake the test. You have to wait 24 hours between attempts. If you pass the second time, you get FULL

CREDIT for the book, no penalty. If you don’t pass the second time, you should

talk to the teacher about book choice and reading strategies.

How many points do I need?

80 for honors 7th grade.60 for English 7 Points do not roll over from trimester to

trimester We want you to read all year long!

Points go in the computer at progress reports (halfway point) and at finals

RC is worth 15% of your grade (1 1/2 grades!)

At the end…

The deadline is set and there are no extensions; you have 12 weeks, so plan ahead. If you get sick the last day, you can’t come

back the next day and still add to the grade DON’T wait until the last day!

The halfway point is a temporary grade The progress report grade disappears

when we put in the final report card grade. You can go from 0 at progress reports to

60 at the end with no grade penalty.

The steps in order:

1. Find a good book.

2. Check the list

3. Write title and points on your RC sheet.

4. Get signatures.

Parent/guardian Teacher

5. Read the book!

You should be reading 5 points’ worth every week.

For most students, that’s about 30 minutes a night or 3 hours a week.

6. Take the test. Mrs. Flynn’s room:

At the beginning of the class period with my permission

During snack, lunch, or after school (check with me that day to see if the room will be open)

With other 7th grade English teachers if they’re available for HW help, etc. (show them your ID and record keeper)

7. -Raise your hand.-Stay on the congratulations screen-Wait for the teacher to sign your record keeper.- Go to “Check Your Progress”