Reed Prepares Fourth Graders For Summer Reading And Fifth Grade

By Eliza Hallabeck

When the Head O’ Meadow fourth grade students entered Reed Intermediate School’s library/media center, faces stared up, and mouths hung open, says Reed Principal Sharon Epple and Library/Media Specialist Virginia Snowden.

The library/media center was one stop of many for the fourth grade students on Thursday, May 17, when Head O’ Meadow’s rising fifth graders toured their soon-to-be school.

Each of the elementary school’s fourth graders visit Reed near the end of the school year to ready the students for the transition to a new school.

On Thursday, the students learned about the upcoming Accelerated Reader program offered at Reed in the summer through Newtown Continuing Education, which is also offered throughout the school year, so rising fifth grade students attending the program in the summer would get a taste of what they will experience once they are Reed students in the fall.

Accelerated Reader is offered during the summer on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from July 2 to July 11, and from July 23 to July 25. The program costs $25, and people in need of assistance with covering the cost can call Newtown Continuing Education at 203-426-1787. The program is set to run from 8 am until noon on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 2 to 6 pm on Wednesdays.

According to Newtown Continuing Education, Accelerated Reader uses a computerized database to quiz students after the completion of a book, testing general reading comprehension. Both non-fiction and fiction books at Reed’s library have been incorporated into the Accelerated Reader program.

“It’s a really great way for you to get comfortable with Reed,” said Beth Murphy, the Accelerated Reader summer teacher, who also works one day a week during the school year at Sandy Hook Elementary School’s library/media center.

Ms Snowden explained if students meet their individually set Accelerated Reader goal by the end of the summer, they will earn a trophy. Other prizes will be available for the students through accomplishing their reading goals and earning high comprehension scores on the quizzes. As an incentive, Ms Snowden said the prizes have been put on display in a case in the library.

C.H. Booth Library also offers the Accelerated Reader program through its Young Adult Department, overseen by Margaret Brown. Students enrolled in the summer Accelerated Reader course at Reed can also work toward their reading goals and take quizzes at C.H. Booth Library, according to Ms Snowden.

Ms Snowden also warned the students that if they do not read over summer break, their reading comprehension level diminishes by about five to six month’s worth of effort.

While reviewing what had been presented to the students before the fourth graders left the library/media center to venture through other areas of the school, Ms Snowden asked the group what the best way to keep their reading skill up would be.

“Read,” the group responded as one.

According to Dr Epple, the students were dropped off at the back of the school when the group arrived at Reed to prepare the students for how they will be dropped off from the school bus in the fall. The fourth graders also toured Reed’s computer lab, a science lab, an art room, the music wing, both of the school’s gymnasiums, and the school’s cafeteria.