How do we use Accelerated Reader at Ellesmere Park High School?

At EPHS we use Accelerated Reader to build a strong reading culture within the school and this links closely to our library lessons and to form time. All children at EPHS have a reading book and these are changed regularly.

The ZPD scores for each student provide an incremental stepping up of their reading level as they progress through Key Stage 3. Students are automatically reading more challenging texts, stepping out of their comfort zone and building a high-level vocabulary. We want children to read the types of books that interest them and Accelerated Reader is brilliant at suggesting books once students enter their favourite books, authors and interests into their account.

Accelerated Reader provides specific targets based on the Star Reading assessments that students complete three times a year. These monitor students’ reading growth, showing the skills they have mastered. These are aligned to the National Curriculum. Star Reading goes even further to show the skills each student needs to focus on to meet or exceed expected standards. What’s more, Star Reading is computer-adaptive, meaning that it adapts to each student’s abilities, catering for everyone from SEN to high-achievers. From the information we have from testing, classroom teachers here at Ellesmere (in English) students requiring additional support and use their smart targets as pedagogical steer for their practice.

What are reciprocal reading strategies ?

Reciprocal reading strategies are also used in class; complimented by the EPHS reciprocal reading bookmark. These strategies are modelled for students by teachers in the classroom. The aim is to enable students to tackle any text strategically and individually. Please view the views below by Mr Conolly to find out more

For Parents-Please watch this video to see how to support your child with reading

 For Students-Please watch this video to see how to become a strategic reader