Program motivates students to read independently

February 17, 2012

Junior high school students who participated in this quarter's Reading Counts program were rewarded with a Fun Friday on Feb. 17 that began with a bagel breakfast followed by team activities during which students competed in a tower game and a cup game.

Reading Counts is a program intended to inspire students in grades 7 and 8 to read books independently of school. Students read books of their own choice on their own time. At the end of five weeks, they take an online quiz or alternate assessment to test their knowledge and comprehension of the book.

Through Reading Counts, students develop such reading skills as comprehension, vocabulary and fluency. The program motivates students to achieve reading success.

The tower competition required teams of students to build the tallest structure using only gum drops, uncooked spaghetti and their creativity and problem-solving skills. The winning team's tower stood approximately 31 inches tall.

Meanwhile across the cafeteria, the cup game tested students' accuracy. The challenge involved clapping a cup, tapping hands and moving the cup in one direction or the other around the table. One wrong move, and students were out. After several close rounds, the last student playing was declared the winner for her team!

View Reading Counts photo gallery.

Congratulations to the following students for successful independent reading!

Usva Asif

Jaydin Cowan

Jaden Decker

Jessica Delsignore

Bryan Desmo

Austin Divinichi

Jared Ellis

Denzel Fitzgerald

Jennah Hogan

Brianna Johnson

Katherine Hotaling

Andrew Larvia

Joshua Lindsay

Christopher Kayembe

Katelyn Krempecki

Hallie Mainville

Maeonna Marshall

Marqus Medina

Brianna Moran

Jemea Ndachi

Brandon Nichols

Caylee Nolan

Anthony Orsi

Owais Raza

Serena Shaw

Evan Tambolleo

Keihasha Wilson