My students are academically achieving more than students I have had in the past. The Research Labs/100 Book Challenge combination allows my learners to read, conference, write, reflect and present on an ongoing basis. I see through relevant assessments and discussions with the students an amazing growth in not only their tremendous amount of stamina, which has helped to develop their reading comprehension and engagement, but the way they can converse on specific topics and utilize appropriate task or thematic vocabulary with ease and nonchalance!
—Danielle Chiaro, 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Jersey City School District, NJ
I have become a better teacher because of Research Labs! I feel Research Labs have given me the freedom I need to address my students’ needs and levels. I am no longer confined to the one-dimensional aspects of an anthology [when teaching Language Arts]. Students are able to develop stamina and build comprehension skills while reading the core novels…. [A]n anthology offers students a two page irrelevant story…not connected to anything they are studying, the vocabulary was also something unconnected to the weak thematic units I would try to develop.
—Danielle Chiaro, Language Arts Teacher, Jersey City School District, NJ
A quiet young fifth grader became our school’s first 100 Step medal winner. His peers cheered for him when his name was announced over the loud speaker. Everyone began asking each other what step they were on. Then they started sharing their favorite books and helping each other. When we bought this program we did not anticipate the collegial spirit it would inspire and the truest sense of community. Our kids are really loving reading!
—Wissahickon Charter School, PA
Since my daughter began the 100 Book Challenge program, her reading has become more fluent. It has extended her vocabulary, which has helped her become a better writer as well. The gradual increase of reading difficulty has encouraged her to learn new words and has enabled her to read for longer periods of time without getting bored. She also spends more time reading for fun and likes going to the library in search of new reading material. Overall, her language skills have improved tremendously during the course of the 100 Book Challenge program and as a parent I am pleased with my child’s continued progress.
—Third Grade Parent, Margaret Park Elementary School, OH
[From] Kindergarten up into the Intermediate grades…the students still love to hear their names announced over the PA system for the amount of [15-minute] Steps they read and proudly display their gold medals for every 100 Steps.
—Elementary Principal, School District of Philadelphia, PA
Thank you so much for all your help and support over the last few years. As you know, I will be retiring shortly and I did not want to leave without expressing my deep appreciation for all that you have done to help us establish the 100 Book Challenge program here at Springfield School District. This program has been one of the greatest supports to the children in attaining success in their reading. This year our children at Scenic and Sabold elementary schools have read for over 9,278,040 minutes! That represents an increase of 3,547,740 minutes of ‘Fun, Fast & Easy’ reading in which our children have engaged! Just being able to say that, is such a powerful thing. The children, parents and teachers are immensely proud of all our kids have achieved and that is directly because of what you and your company have brought to us. Give my best to everyone there.
—Elementary Literacy & Title I Coordinator, Springfield School District: Delaware County, PA
The children are VERY excited about the medals they receive for reading. Not only are the students wearing the medals, but I have seen parents wearing them, too. I saw a cashier at a store wearing 7 medals, and I asked her, ‘Is that a 100 Book Challenge medal?’ The woman held it up and said, ‘It sure is, honey!’ She has 2 or 3 children in the program.
—Assistant Superintendent, Camden City School District, NJ
The reading atmosphere at our school has drastically changed since implementing Action 100. We read everywhere. Kids and teachers are excited about reading. The two most important pieces are the amount of time that students spend reading and the conferencing that takes place between teachers and students. Parents that are reinforcing this reading at home have said that it has truly changed their students’ lives. One of our parents that has a student with a disability stopped by to tell me that for the first time in her son’s life, he is able to carry on a conversation with her. She truly believes that it is because of all the vocabulary that he has been exposed to in the books he reads every day.
—Angela Gordon, Principal, Oscar J. Pope Elementary, FL
I just wanted…to let you know how GREAT the 100 Book Challenge Program is. I have seen a complete change in [my son] Joey’s outlook on reading. Up until this program started, it was a battle to get him to read anything. We have purchased many books and nothing worked. He now looks forward to reading every night. One night he surprised me when he was so quiet in the Family Room. I asked what he was doing. He replied, ‘I want to log an hour tonight.’ He ended up with an hour and a half.
—Parent, Charlotte County School District, FL