Reading is at the heart of everything we do at Gosford Park, which is why we have moved our library to the heart of the school! To make sure that every child has a reading book at their exact challenge point, we have invested in a new system called Accelerated Reader. All of the books in our library are part of Accelerated Reader and are assigned to a level.
Last week, children took part in a Star Assessment. This checks their comprehension and reading level and matches them to a range (e.g. 3.2–3.8). Children are then able to select books in the library from this range as their home reader. Star Assessments will take place every half term and children’s ranges will be adjusted accordingly.
Stages of Borrowing a Book
To help families understand how our Accelerated Reader system works day‑to‑day, here are the stages each child follows:
1. Complete a Star Assessment
Children complete a Star Assessment every half term. This gives them an accurate reading range based on their comprehension and reading level.
2. Choose a Book in Their Range
Children visit the library and choose a book that fits within their personalised reading range.
3. Read the Book at Home Daily
Children should read every day for at least ten minutes at home. Reading is recorded in their reading diary and signed by a parent or carer.
4. Take the Accelerated Reader Quiz
After finishing the book, children complete a quiz in school to check their understanding.
5. Change the Book
- If they pass the quiz, they may choose a new book from their range.
- If the quiz shows limited comprehension, children re‑read the book and re‑take the quiz.
6. Update the Range
Every half term, a new Star Assessment is taken and children’s ranges are updated based on their progress.
Reading at Home
This book should be read every day for at least ten minutes at home. Reading should be recorded in their reading diary and signed by a parent. Once your child has read their book, they will take part in a quiz. If they are successful, they will change their book in the library. If their comprehension was limited, they will need to re‑read the book and re‑take the quiz.
We encourage you to speak to your child about what they are reading. Asking questions and discussing the story helps develop their understanding and promotes reading as an enjoyable and valuable pastime.
Children Accessing Phonics
If your child is accessing phonics, they are still at the earlier stages of reading. This means they are learning the sounds and combinations of letters that make words.
Children in phonics groups will bring home:
- The phonics book they have been reading in lessons
- A Book Bag Book matched to the same sounds and story
While these books may seem simple, repetition is key. Reading the same book several times builds fluency and, most importantly, comprehension.
If you have any questions about the books your child is bringing home, please speak to their class teacher. They will be more than happy to help.