DART - Daily Active Reading Time

Students and staff are all enjoying the new DART period this year.
As we seek to increase our students reading comprehension, all students at T. D. Baker receive 18 minutes per day of silent, uninterrupted reading time in their homerooms right after lunch.
Feedback from students and staff has been very positive and students are bringing novels from home and from libraries to read.

Ask your child what they are reading right now and encourage them to continue to develop reading habits at home in the evening as well.

Common Questions

Why do we have this reading period this year?

You can be even more successful at reading and learning.
You will be given the gifts of time and freedom to actually read your choice of book everyday.
You will be supported as you develop and nurture a love of reading.
Your teachers in all subjects will boost your comprehension by reinforcing helpful reading strategies.
Your reading growth will be measured periodically.
You will be given time with a teacher-librarian who connects you with the latest and greatest in books.

How does DART work?

Monday through Friday you will have 18-minute reading periods right after the lunch hour.
Throughout the year you will receive thorough training in the use of reading strategies such as Vocabulary Development and Graphic Organizers.

Reading Tips for Parents

Get a public library card; it is free for youths.
Establish a silent reading time for the whole family.
Read in front of and to your child.
Read with your child (see our librarian for two copies of a favorite book).
Buy a dictionary for your home and display it prominently.
Place baskets of interesting magazines and books throughout your home.
Give books for presents.
Read and work through difficult articles together.

At T. D. Baker we have implemented our instructional focus thoughout all areas of the curriculum.
Featured articles in our newsletters, on our website, and over our PA morning and afternoon announcments are seeking to inform students, parents, staff and the public of the work we are doing.
Through our DART reading periods we are also reinforcing our goal to improve reading comprehension.

For more information you can contact the school.