ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 1996 TAG: 9604160045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: CLASS NOTES
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
Books, books and more books.
New River Valley students are finding out in a number of ways that reading is not just another school activity. Reading is fun, especially when it is combined with other activities.
Many schools feature reading months and other programs to promote reading throughout the year. Here are some highlights:
Gilbert Linkous Elementary has combined reading books with computers through a program called Accelerated Reader. The program provides computerized "reading" tests for grades 1-12. Students take a multiple-choice test on the computer each time they finish reading a book. Points are assigned based on a book's reading level, length and the number of correct answers the student inputs. The results then are stored in a database, which keeps track of students' readings and points.
The computer gives feedback to students once they complete a test. It tells them the number of points earned, percentage correct, what questions were answered wrong along with the correct answer. Students cannot take the same reading test more than once, even if they don't "pass."
Every student at the school is enrolled in the program and more than 400 have tried Accelerated Reader. The students have passed tests on more than 5,200 books and earned more than 11,000 points. The program's objective is to increase students' reading level and teach them to read for comprehension. Rochelle Johnson, a media specialist at the school who runs the program, said studies have shown that good reading skills carry over into other subject areas, such as math and science.
Fifth-graders at the school are required to read three books every six weeks, take the tests and turn in the results to their teachers. Johnson said the fifth-graders also are required to read at their reading level.
One of the program's biggest draws is that it encourages students to read a variety of books - books that they otherwise might not chose.
Brian Sinclair said he has read a lot of books he wouldn't have otherwise because he has searched them out as books that offer "double digit" points. He added that he has had "painful" experiences reading some of these books because they didn't appeal to him, but he made it through because he wanted to earn the points. For example, he said reading "Anna of Green Gables" was painful because "there were too many tea parties."
Other books that are popular because of their high points include Brian Jacques' fantasy series. Johnson said the series was always well read, but is even more popular now because students who don't like fantasy are reading it and liking it.
The program includes tests for books of all types - from Beverly Clearly to the Berenstain Bears for early readers. Even R.L. Stine's Goosebump series are included. But they cannot be used for book reports.
Since it started the program in 1994, the school has invested $2,500 in Accelerated Reading for the initial software package and subsequent tests. Johnson said an additional $1,200 has been spent to purchase books to accompany the tests. The school will add more programs, books and tests as they become available each year. Other area schools also have shown an interest in purchasing the program.
Following is a list of the Accelerated Reader's top readers in each grade, along with the number of points earned.
Harsha Gunatilaka, fifth grade - 451 points.
Andrew Perrone, fourth grade - 211 points.
Brian Sinclair, third grade - 394 points.
Courtney Long, second grade - 103 points.
At Elliston-Lafayettte Elementary School, students celebrated reading month during February and part of March. This year's theme, "Camp Read-A-Lot" centered around bears and camping. Activities included learning bear trivia during weekly contests and students visiting other classrooms as guest readers.
Students filled out bear patterns every time they finished reading a book. A collection of bear patterns were hung up in the main hallway of the school. The school reached its goal of having a string of bears around the entire school. The entire school then was treated to an ice cream sundae party in March to celebrate its reading success.
In addition to the reading month, fifth-graders have been participating in the Pizza Hut Book It Program since October. Each week, the students chose a book to read to their kindergarten buddy. Sometimes, kindergartners have books to read to their "big buddies." The Book It Program ended in February, but the students continue to read to their buddies each week.
Margaret Beeks Elementary is the only local school to be participating in the Reading is Fundamental program this year. Simply known as RIF, the federal program originally provided funding so schools could give each student his or her own book to take home. However, funding has been stopped and RIF now only provides information and guidance on establishing a reading program.
But at Margaret Beeks, the PTA worked hard last fall to raise close to $2,000 to purchase books. Publishing companies often provide as much as a 75 percent discount for RIF projects.
"For some of these kids, they don't have the books at home to read," said Jeni Reinholtz, who co-coordinated this first-year effort. She added that the program has encouraged kids to read.
Earlier this month, parent volunteers had the last of three free book days, where free books were distributed. Book titles ranged from the early reader classics such as "Goodnight Moon" to Judy Blume novels.
The Pulaski County High School forensics teams walked away with several awards, including second place overall, at the district forensics competition in March. Eleven students competed at the annual Roanoke Valley District Forensics Competition, which featured students from four area high schools competing in 10 areas. Nine Pulaski students advanced to the regionals.
Students who placed include: Kristin Vaughn, first place - original speech in original oratory; Willie Simpkins, first place - poetry; Josh Raynes, second - prose; Ashley Hutchens, third - prose.
Original Speech in Original Oratory: Kirstin Vaughn, first place.
Prose: Josh Raynes, second place; Ashley Hutchens, third place.
Poetry: Willie Simpkins, first place.
Serious Dramatic Interpretation: Cheryl Bowling, first place.
Duo Interpretation: Sarah Tolbert and Vivian Ann Rash, second place.
Spelling: Sarah Drye, second place.
Domestic Extemporaneous Speech: Alex Moseman, second place. Wren Lanier placed in the top five.
Seven Christiansburg students received awards at the Regional Future Business Leaders of America Conference at Radford University. Seniors who placed include: Shauna Pace, fourth place in word processing; Jamie Trump, second place in advanced accounting; Lee Ellen Akers, second place in job interview; Christa Hilt, first place in machine transcription; and April Orange, first place in business procedures. In addition, junior Laurie Cozzolina placed third in business communication and sophomore Kristy Mullins placed fifth place in accounting. Clara Stone and Kelly Dalton also attended the conference.
Hilt and Orange will represent Christiansburg High at the state competition April 19-21 in Reston.
MUSICAL
Radford High School will present scenes from famous Broadway musicals in a concert titled "Way Off Broadway" at 7 p.m. April 22 at the Norwood Center. Admission is $3 and proceeds go toward the school's choral department. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Lois Castonguay at 639-0430 or 731-3649.
For Teachers Only
Need money for teaching? Want to apply for a grant?
Laurie Ruberg will lead a workshop on how to write grants for the Virginia Association of Biology Teachers. She will go over how to write a successful grant and develop collaborations for successful teaching. In addition, participants will get a step-by-step orientation and will learn how to use the Internet to locate grant opportunities.
During the latter part of the workshop, Ruberg will discuss the NASA Multimedia Biology Project, which is developing hands-on experiments, computer-based simulation and other activities about human life.
To register, send a $10 check to the Virginia Association of Biology Teachers, c/o Kathy Frame, 13112 Nestlewood Court, Herndon, VA 22071. For more information, call Frame at (703) 471-1134 or (703) 476-6460.
LENGTH: Long : 150 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Sinclair, Long, Perrone, Gunatilaka.by CNB