Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. How many points does my child need to earn for Reading Counts?
2. How do I find books at my child's reading level?
3. How can I best help my child prepare for tests?
4. What can I do to help my child be successful in school?
5. How can I help my child become a better writer?

How many points does my child need to earn for Reading Counts?

For the first trimester, students must earn 25 points. This is a relatively 
easy goal for most students, as long as they begin reading early and don't 
procrastinate! 20 - 30 minutes of reading each day should be more than 
enough to accomplish this goal. For the second and third trimesters, 
students will set personal goals for their independent reading.

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How do I find books at my child's reading level?

Click on the Reading Counts link on the Plaza Vista home page. Search for 
quizzes within 50 points above or below your child's lexile. Set the reading 
level for 4th - 5th grade. This should provide you with an ample list of 
books at the appropriate level. Many are available in the school library, 
but some will require a trip to the public library!

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How can I best help my child prepare for tests?

Encourage your child to begin reviewing early! 20 - 30 minutes of studying 
each night for a week is much more beneficial than 2 hours the night before 
a test. Break the material up into small chunks. Review the questions at the 
end of a section to see if your child grasps the main idea. Make flash cards 
of vocabulary words that are new to your child.

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What can I do to help my child be successful in school?

   The most important thing you can do to help your child succeed is to make 
schoolwork a priority at home. When planning activities for your child, 
build in time for homework FIRST, and then build in the extra-curricular 
activities that time allows. 
   Time to read every day is also important; try having a family reading 
hour once or twice a week to model the importance of reading to your 
children. 
   Be sure to plan family trips during scheduled school vacations. This 
demonstrates to your child that school is their first priority. The older 
your child gets, the more difficult it becomes to make up assignments missed 
during school. "Make-up work" does not replace the classroom experiences 
missed during your child's absence.

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How can I help my child become a better writer?

In fourth grade, we are asking students to go beyond "basic" writing skills 
and learn to write organized pieces with descriptive details. One of the 
easiest ways to encourage your child to improve their writing is to increase 
their output! Keeping a journal is a great strategy, but fourth graders 
often need inspiration for their journals rather than repeatedly writing 
about "what I did today." There are a number of resources available which 
give kids ideas to think about and respond to. One such resource is "The 
Kids Book of Questions," available at most bookstores.

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