At Bayfield Middle School, students are getting tools to help them become stronger readers. The ReadnQuiz program gives students the chance to choose books they enjoy, show what they’ve learned through short online quizzes, and celebrate their progress with their classmates. It’s a program designed not only to build accountability, but also to create a culture of reading across the school.
Stephanie Dennison, BMS Reading Interventionist and READ Plan coordinator, said the program helps meet an important need.
“I understand the value of students reading on a regular basis,” she explained. “Although I would love for all students to love reading and want to do it for fun, I fully understand that that is not a reality.”
How it works
That’s where ReadnQuiz comes in. The program allows students to select books that are in or above their reading level and, once they finish, take a 15-question quiz online. To pass, students must score 80 percent or higher, encouraging them to read carefully and with comprehension. If a book isn’t already in the ReadnQuiz library, students even have the option to create their own quiz for points or a grade.
Teachers guide students by helping them choose appropriate books, monitoring their progress, and providing daily passwords that allow them to log in and take quizzes. According to Dennison, this structure helps balance freedom of choice with the need for growth.
“The ReadnQuiz program provides teachers with the ability to hold students accountable for their reading through short quizzes related to thousands of books in the program’s online library,” she said.
Building motivation
Another important feature of the program is the way it motivates students through teamwork and competition. Advisory classes can compete against each other based on quiz scores and points, with weekly and monthly winners. Individual students can also earn certificates and other incentives for completing reading challenges and reaching new reading levels.
These opportunities make reading fun while also giving students a chance to see their progress and celebrate their efforts.
Supporting every student
Dennison emphasized that ReadnQuiz is part of a larger effort at BMS to improve literacy for all students. By combining quiz results with NWEA benchmark data, teachers can better understand where students are and guide them to books that will help them grow.
“Teachers can combine what we know about a student’s reading level from NWEA benchmark data with this program to encourage students to increase their reading level, overall increasing their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills,” Dennison explained.
The program supports Bayfield Middle School’s literacy vision: that all students will engage in meaningful literacy experiences that prepare them to read, write, think, and communicate effectively.
With ReadnQuiz in place, BMS is creating opportunities for students to be supported, challenged, and celebrated as readers. As Dennison put it, the program is about giving students the tools and encouragement they need to succeed.
“This program allows for student choice in the books read but strives to push students beyond their comfort levels to improve reading comprehension, grit and stamina,” she said.
