The readers of today are the leaders of tomorrow, so at Casterton we take great pride in ensuring every student can read fluently, confidently and enthusiastically. Reading is the gateway to success in every academic subject and every career pathway and all young people can enjoy reading, so we dedicate ourselves to ensuring that is the case. Every student in Year's 7–9 starts their day with 20 minutes of silent reading known as Drop Everything and Read or DEAR. They choose their book, either from our extensive library with the support of our full-time librarian or from home if they prefer. Then, when they have finished their book, they take an online comprehension quiz using our online accelerated reader platform.
Accelerated Reader (AR) is an online platform that helps our teachers manage and monitor student’s independent reading practice and improve literacy. We are a champion school for AR.
STAR Reading is an assessment in Accelerated Reader and students take a star test several times a year which provides them with their reading range or Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Students choose books within their reading range and take a quiz on each book when they have finished. All students are set a target to achieve 85% or above in their quizzes as this demonstrates a good understanding of the book.
The Star test and quiz data generates various valuable reports which are monitored closely by our librarian and your child's English teacher. The reports make it easy for us to identify students that require intervention. Parents can also monitor their child’s progress towards their targets in Accelerated Reader by logging into Home Connect.
In school, we celebrate success through our progress ladders, displayed outside the library, that show how well students have progressed. These don't show a child's reading age, just the progress they have made from their starting point. Those who find themselves in the highest, Platinum category, are invited to a free Platinum Platter buffet with their teachers as a reward for their hard work.