More News

Northview Elementary School fifth-grader Dajayla Ingram wasn't fond of reading last year.

"Last year I didn't feel like reading. I was being lazy," the Bowie student said.

But this year, motivated by a new initiative at the Bowie school that encourages and rewards independent time spent reading, 10-year-old Dajayla said she likes discussing the books with friends and regularly spends free time at home reading.

Northview bought 7,000 books — 200 grade-specific books in a classroom at a time — to encourage students' independent reading. Every time a student completes 15 minutes of independent reading, he or she gets a point, and after accumulating so many points receives rewards, like medals.

The program has students excited about reading and teachers excited about the progress being made in the classroom, said Principal Judith Bissett. Kindergarten and first-grade teachers have seen a difference in the level of reading skill in their classrooms compared to last school year, the year Northview opened, she said.

"I had eight different [reading] levels in one class and now that gap has narrowed," said first-grade teacher Mary Bast, who estimates 75 percent of her class is reading above grade level.

Bissett and reading specialist Mary Hendley expect the extra time students spend reading to translate into improved scores on the Maryland School Assessments, st which assesses students' reading and math comprehension to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Schools will take the tests in March.

"The more you read, the better you do on tests," Hendley said, citing research that concludes the top five percent of test takers read 144 times more than the lowest five percent of test takers.

An average of 80.3 percent of third through fifth grade students scored advanced or proficient on the MSAs last year.

Through the independent reading program, each teacher allows 30 minutes of independent reading time daily. Students are also encouraged to read an additional 30 minutes at home, and their efforts are documented in logs signed by parents. In class, teachers also meet with students one-on-one to talk to them about the books they are reading and the progress they are making.

"Silent reading time is actually silent reading now; it's not pretending," said fourth-grade teacher Elizabeth Grove.

The program has an 85 to 90 percent participation rate, Bissett estimated, but she hopes all students and parents will participate in the program to establish "a community of readers." Students who are not receiving parental support at home for their reading spend extra time with Hendley or another teacher to work on improving their reading skills, Bissett said.

Last year, the school only had county textbooks and materials from the library for students to read. Bissett didn't know how much the county had to pay for the books, which are switched every few weeks to give students fresh options.

"Books this year are on my level," said fifth-grader Lawrencia Moten, 10, of Bowie, adding the variety ensures there is something for everyone.

With access to books she can challenge herself with, Lawrencia said she gets more out of her time spent reading.

E-mail Andrea Noble at anoble@gazette.net.