Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Read-up is a term we coined at Hynes School. The program is actually called Accelerated Reader and is produced by Renaissance Learning, located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. The program allows students to read books from a selected list of titles and come down to the media center and take a multiple- choice test on the book. At Hynes, we use the program in conjunction with STAR reading, which is used to assign reading level assignments for the students.Back to Top
Where do children take their Read-up quizzes?
Students may take their quizzes in the media center when personnel are present or in their respective classrooms when their teachers allow them the time.Back to Top
How may I get a list of titles on the Read-up program?
The Morton Grove and Niles Public Libraries each have a copy of the Hynes School Read-up lists. The complete list can now be found on the District 67 Web Page for your convenience. Look for the Accelerated Reader box on the district home page. The list will once again be updated during 2003-2004 school year.Back to Top
How many points may my child earn each time he/she reads a book?
Most picture books earn 1/2 point, whereas an average chapter book may earn anywhere from 1 to 32 points.Back to Top
How will my child know which books to choose?
All books in the Read-up program which we have a test for are labeled with a Read-up symbol (actually the International Library symbol) and a color-coded dot which indicates the grade level of the book. Each child is given a STAR test in the beginning of the school year and told what colors they have been assigned to for their optimum reading performance in the Reading program. If you are choosing books at the public library, the Hynes List they have will indicate the grade level and the points earned for the books you select.Back to Top
How does my child gain entrance into the Reading Club for the year?
Once a child has received a cardinal pin, a student may continue earning points to gain entrance into a special club which culminates each school year with being awarded a trophy and an ice-cream party. The Mayor of Morton Grove awards the trophies and the event is a fun celebration for all.The points necessary for the Library Reading Club are as follows: K-Grades 2-35 points Grade 3-55 points Grade 4-70 points We regret the fact that this event is for students only due to space limitations!Back to Top
What is there for a student beyond the Reading Club?
Any student who earns 200 points in a school year is eligible for a special half-day field trip. A happy group of fantastic readers loads a distrist bus and travels to a fun afternoon of mini-golf in Skokie. All that exertion deserves some cool, refreshing ice cream. After golfing, the students are treated to ice cream sundaes. We return back to school before dismissal, having earned ourselves an afternoon away from the classroom.Back to Top
Is there anything beyond the Reading Club?
Each year a few stellar students earn more than the whopping 200 points. Therefore, the Reading Club features the person who earns the top points that school year on a special display titled, "The Read-Up Wall of Fame". That student is allowed the special privilege of becoming acting principal for the afternoon. Thank you to Mrs. Westley for sponsoring this honor. Last year's winner was Naina Gupta and her picture is featured outside the media center on the Read-up Wall of Fame. Naina earned over 400 points during the last school year.Back to Top
Would you be willing to take suggestions to help the program?
Yes, I am most willing to hear any comments or ideas you have to improve the program as it exists. Thank you for encouraging your child to read for pleasure. There is research that points to the fact that children who develop a habit of reading in their youth will become lifelong readers.Back to Top
May my child participate in Read-up and Book-It at the same time?
Yes, students may earn pizza from Pizza Hut, as well as participatin in the Read-up program. A child may also use books read from the Six Flags program, which takes place beginning in January of each year for Read-up. Just be certain that books that are read are part of the Read-up program, as indicated by the International Reading System and the color dots.Back to Top
How will my child know if a book is a Read-up book?
At Hynes, books are labelled with the International Reading System and color dots which indicate the grade level of each title. In the beginning of the school year, each student takes a diagnostic test which assigns colors the students are to work with. This allows students to read at the optimal level for themselves and takes the guesswork away from the task of choosing the best books for them to read. Generally, non-fiction titles are assigned a color dot lower than the fiction titles, as the material read is more difficult. This is explained to the students in the beginning of the year with their Read-up training.Back to Top
How many points should my child earn each quarter?
Each child should read for at least fifteen minutes each evening. Students in the lower grades may be able to finish a complete book, whereas an older student should be able to complete a few chapters or more each evening. In the long run, students should earn 1 or 2 points each week, but many students are capable of earning more.Back to Top