Why Benchmark Books
The Benchmark Books for Learning A-Z Levels aa-J can be used in one part of a three-part
process to assess reading behavior and comprehension. Using the books with their running
records, Retelling Rubrics, and Comprehension Quick Check Quizzes provides an accurate measure
of students' reading abilities.
- Each level from aa-J has 1 fiction and 1 nonfiction Benchmark Book.
- Only the first 100-150 words of each Benchmark
Book are used in Running Records.
- To assess students at Levels K-Z2, use Benchmark Passages.
How to Use Benchmark Books
Using eBooks
- Assign a Benchmark Book assessment by clicking on the Assign button on the book's thumbnail or landing page.
- Kids A-Z will automatically have the student record a retelling and Comprehension Quick Check Quiz when the student finishes reading.
- In the Kids A-Z Student Management hub, check your In Basket to find the student's recording and score the reading
behavior using the online running record form.
- Check the student's scores again the expectations for a level.
See About Running Records for more details.
- To reward students, be sure to turn on the incentives.
Using Printable Books
- Provide a Benchmark Book the student has never seen before.
- Observe and record the student's reading behavior using the book's Running Record form.
- If a student scores 90 percent or higher, assess the student's comprehension using a
Comprehension Quick Check Quiz from Levels A-Z and the
Retelling Rubrics.
- If a student scores above 94 percent on both the running record and the Comprehension Quick
Check Quiz, he or she is ready for the next level.
(For more details, see About Running Records.)
- Use Benchmark WOWzers to reward
students' progress from level to level.
- Enter the assessment results into the Kids A-Z Student Management hub so you can track
the student's progress all in one place.
Editor's Note: Foreign language
editions should not be used as formal assessments of a
student's reading progress in that language.
