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

1. When is the reading log due?
2. What is the DRP and why does my student need to take it?
3. Why is LKMS introducing a vocabulary development program?

When is the reading log due?

The reading log should be completed by the student and signed by the parent/guardian and turned in 
either on Monday or Tuesday (the first day your student has reading class for the week)

Back to Top

What is the DRP and why does my student need to take it?

The DRP or Degrees of Reading Power is an expository (informatinal 
text)comprehension test that is taken by every middle school student in
Howard County.  The test measures a students reading ability using 
informational text.  This is an excellent reading comprehension test and
provides valuable information to your student's reading teacher.  For example,
students scoring:

1st, 2nd, 3rd stanine (below grade level performance)
4th, 5th, 6th stanine (on grade level performance)
7th, 8th, 9th stanine (above grade level performance)

While NO reading teacher would ever label a student as below, on, or 
above based on one test only, the test - along with other student work and MSA 
scores - does provide a good picture of a student's reading ability.  Every 
child in Ms. Mundy's class will receive their DRP score no later than the 
3rd week of September 2004.  If you should have any questions or 
concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Back to Top

Why is LKMS introducing a vocabulary development program?

Honestly, there are several reasons why a vocabulary program is being 
implemented for ALL students at LKMS.

#1 Vocabulary acquisition (development) is key to increasing a student's 
   reading level and comprehension. 
#2 Vocabulary knowledge is part of the MSA testing criteria.  Students 
   are given words in isolation and in context. They are expected to know    
   words consistent with their grade level.
   
#3 One of the BEST ways to acquire new vocabulary is to JUST PLAIN 
   READ. 
   However, studies show that many of our young people do not read as 
   often as they should. By implementing a vocabulary study program, we can 
   help fill that void for our students.  Some will argue that direct        
   instruction with vocabulary isn't the best way for students to learn  
   vocabulary.
            
   One 
   study I recently read stated that if presented 400 words in a year
 - the 
   student may only remember 300. Learning 300 new words in a year 
   doesn't 
   sound like such a bad thing to me! Through years of experience, I have 
   seen students employ these newly learned words as part of their 
writing
   and as part of their daily speech.

   Vocabulary in this program is presented in context, presented along 
with 
   synonyms and antonyms, and the use of analogies is also included.  
Another 
   major benefit is that proper use of the word (grammar) is also 
   incorporated into the lesson.  The name of this program is 
VOCABULARY 
   ACHIEVEMENT through Great Source.

Back to Top