FAQs

 

What if I am a second grader and new to Reading Counts?

 

Until October 20th, please do not select Reading Counts books nor take a quiz wihout your teacher with you.  One of your teachers will be bringing small groups of children from your class to the library on a regular basis.

 

What if I am a new third, fourth, or fifth grade student?

 

For the first few weeks, ask your teacher to okay the books you select for Reading Counts.  For at least your first two quizzes, please ask for a librarian or teacher to be with you at the computer until you feel comfortable with the quiz-taking procedures.

 

Where do I take a Reading Counts quiz?

 

Only in the library.

 

Before school--7:45-8:00--take quiz in the library lab.

 

During the school day--library period and any other time of the day  with permission of your teacher--take quiz in the main room of the library at one of the 4 computers with green chairs.

 

End of school day -- 3:00-3:30--take quiz in the library lab if there is not a scheduled class in the lab.

 

After school - 3:30-4:00 - take quiz in the lab if it is open;  if the lab is closed at one of the 4 computers with the green chairs.

 

When do I fill out the Honor Code slip?

If you are in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades fill out and sign the honor code slip in the library  before taking a quiz.  Please read the honor code!  Fill out the title spelled correctly as it appears in the Reading Counts list; fill out the last name of the author spelled correctly as it appears on the list; write in your homeroom teacher's last name; sign your first and last name.  Hand the slip to the supervising librarian.  Remember do not take the book or any other materials to the computer.

 

What steps do I follow at the computer to access the Reading Counts quiz?

 

Click on the RC icon.

 

Enter your first name and last name (even if you are the only one with your particular first name).  Type only one space between first and last name.

 

After locating and selecting your name, you will need to bring up the quiz for your book.  

Enter the first few letters of the first word of the book title as it appeared on the Reading Counts list (spelling correctly) and hit the 'enter' key.   (Note:  If the first word of the title is a, an, or the drop the first word and enter the first few letters of the second word.)

 

The computer will go through to that alphabetical place on the title list.

 

From that point, arrow down the list until you find a match of the title and author of your book and select that appropriate title.  (Sometimes the title is abbreviated by Reading Counts—it will be listed in the quiz program as it appears in the Reading Counts book list.)

 

A window will pop open asking you to verify the title with Yes/No button choices.   Example—“Are you ready to take a quiz on the book, “Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes.”  If that is not the title you want, click  “No.”

 

Important:  Be very careful in selecting the correct quiz because if you get into the wrong quiz, you will need to exit out.  It will count against your record.

 

How do I take the quiz?

 

Read the question and each of the possible answers.  Select the best answer.  If you are not positive of the answer, eliminate those answers you think could not be right and then pick the best choice.  You can change your mind while in that question, but once you go to the next question you cannot go back.

 

How do I know I passed?

 

After finishing the questions the Reading Counts program will check your answers and display a screen with congratulations if you passed (2nd and 3rd graders need to get 4 or 5 questions out of 5 correct;  4th and 5th graders need to get 7 or better out of 10 questions).   Also a  screen will come up that gives you the opportunity to rate the book.

 

How do I know what questions I missed?

 

The program will give you the opportunity to review wrong answers.  Your answer will be highlighted and you can look at the other choices, thinking about which answer would have been the correct one.  This way you can learn from your mistakes.
 

What if I have problems along the way?

 

If you need help while at the computer, raise your hand and ask for assistance from a librarian or teacher.