Independent Reading Program

Unlock the Magic of Reading

Our Reading Program supports children's love of learning and provides the freedom of literary choice. Independent reading is encouraged year-round and information for each grades' suggested reading and reading requirements are below.

Summer Independent Reading

Optional, not required

Students entering grades 1-5 can record their recommended number of minutes read on this Google Form or on a paper to turn in at the all-school open house before school starts.
There are different, optional Reading Challenges by grade level for grades 1-5.
Students in grades 3-5 can choose up to 6 challenges!
Challenges can be completed in any order.

School Year Independent Reading

Kindergarten (2nd semester only)

Minutes will be recorded on a monthly reading calendar, turned into the classroom teacher.
Expected 4 hours a month.
Students can read anything they wish to accomplish this goal, including the assigned reading from the reading book!

Grade 1

Minutes will be recorded on a monthly reading calendar, turned into the classroom teacher.
Expected 5 hours a month.
Students can read anything they wish to accomplish this goal!

Grade 2

Minutes will be recorded on a monthly reading calendar, turned into the classroom teacher.
Expected 5 hours a month for Quarters 1 and 2.
Expected 6 hours a month for Quarters 3 and 4.
Students can read anything they wish to accomplish this goal!

Grade 3

Minutes will be recorded on a Google Form.
850 minutes a quarter, approximately 19 minutes a weekday Students can read anything they wish to accomplish this goal!
Quarterly Project: poetry, nonfiction, or biography.

Grade 4

Minutes will be recorded on a Google Form
1,000 minutes a quarter, approximately 23 minutes a weekday
Students can read anything they wish to accomplish this goal!
Quarterly Project: poetry, nonfiction, or biography.

Grade 5

Minutes will be recorded on a Google Form.
1,000 minutes a quarter, approximately 23 minutes a weekday.
Students can read anything they wish to accomplish this goal!
Quarterly Project: poetry, nonfiction, or biography.

Quarterly Projects

Grades 3-5

Once a quarter, students will share with their class a book they enjoyed reading. At least one must be from one of the following genres: poetry, nonfiction, or biography. The other three are student choice. (i.e. 3 quarters of fiction and 1 poetry, or 1 biography, 1 poetry, and 2 fiction.)
This presentation can be done in many ways including, but not limited to, a video book review, written book review/book report, diorama, book bento, illustration of a favorite scene, etc. Additional guidance including due dates and format will be provided at the start of the school year.
Students should choose a book they are excited about!
Projects may be displayed.

READING CHALLENGES

An option for those that want to push themselves!

Managed by Librarian.
Each Challenge will consist of 10 books.
Upon completion of reading one of these books, students will record the information on a Google Form. (Books read in previous years, 3rd or 4th grade, do not need to be read again, only recorded.)
Summer Challenge: Optional for rising grades 1-5.
Category Challenges: Optional for grades 3-5.
Students will receive a certificate of recognition for this accomplishment and a “key” on the hallway display (reading wall), across from the library.
Students who complete all 5 Challenges in a given year will be taken on a field trip to The Writers’ Block to pick a book of their choice.
Students will have the opportunity to achieve this each year, up to three times!

Challenge Lists2024-25 How to Engage ReadersSuggested Questions

Lower School Student in white Using Tablet