Fourth-graders donned their red Accelerated Reading T-shirts Friday for a photo with Teresa Hup of Main Street Financial Services, which donates the shirts for the program. The computer-based reading program encourages kids to challenge themselves with books of their choosing. Students take computer-generated tests on comprehension and earn points on the difficulty of the books and how well they comprehended the stories. According to teachers, the program promotes reading and builds self-esteem when students can receive immediate feedback on their reading performance. It helps motivate kids to become better readers. Three years ago, fourth-grade teachers and parents took the program a step farther and opened a general store where students can spend their earned reading points from the tests they take. The "A-R Mart" is open Friday afternoons and is manned by fourth-grade parents. Items for sale, mostly donated by local businesses, range from pencils and gadgets to stuffed animals. Their slogan is "Come and shop at the A-R Mart." Students wear their red shirts for admission to the store.
Photo by Lori Ehde