How to create your first reading Program!
Welcome to Reader Zone 102! Let’s get your Program started. In this module, we will discuss how to build Goal-Based Groups and a Reading Log Groups.
You can create a mix of Goal-Based and Reading Log Groups inside one Program.
When you first make an account, a pop-up screen will prompt you to create a new program.
If you have fewer than 10 Groups in your Program, Quick Start will work best
*This is the most common choice.
If you have more than 10 Reading Groups, Advanced will be the better option.
*In the first few examples below we will be using Quick Start. At the end we will explain Advanced.
First create a name for your Program, this will be for you and other authorized users to organize your Groups.
Reader Zone will generate a unique, 5-character Program Code.
This is the code that Readers will use to join your reading program.
Now you will be asked to create your first Group and a name for that Group.
The name should be descriptive of what it is.
Example: 6th Grade Summer Readers
*Remember, you can have an unlimited number of Groups inside your Program.
What kind of reading group will work best for you?
Do you want to have your Readers on a regimented schedule with an end goal or record their reading without a schedule/goal?
If you want Readers on a schedule, you will need to create a Goal-Based Group. If you want your Readers to log their reading, then choose a Reading Log Group
Goal-Based Group:
Define your reading goals. Do you want your Readers to read by minutes, pages, chapters, books, or yes/no responses?
Books: Readers will log every time they finish a book.
Minutes: Readers can use the timer feature to keep track of their minutes read.
Pages: Readers will log the number of pages read.
Chapters: Readers log the chapters they've read.
Yes/No Response: Used for Readers to complete certain activities.
(Pro-Tip: This is best when a question is being asked. “Did you read a fantasy novel?” “Did you read outside?”)
Enter the goal amount and how often you want them to reach that amount in the frequency section.
Frequency is the schedule you want to put them on during the program.
Enter the duration of your program (length of Program).
Example: 20 minutes daily from June 3rd to July 30th.
Frequency is 20 minutes daily; Duration is June 3rd to July 30th.
Once you have selected the duration, you will have the option to collect extra data. There will be 5 questions you may choose to have your readers answer. You do not have to complete this step if you don't want to, or you may add in these questions at a later time.
The final step will be the Book Bank. It is completely optional and used as a “suggested reading” tool for you to recommend books to your readers. You can add as many books as you would like.
*See more about the Book Bank in the Book Bank Bonus Course.
Now invite your readers!
Reading Log Group:
Decide if you’d like to hold a contest or promote reading for the love of reading.
Contest:
You can have groups compete against each other (classrooms or grade levels). Readers can see where they stand in real time.
Promote Reading:
*This is the option most chosen.
After you have named your Program and your Group as stated in the previous steps, you are going to select the Reading Log option.
Select how you are going to track your data:
Books: Readers log every time they finish a book.
Minutes: Readers use the timer feature to keep track
of minutes read.
Pages: Readers log the number of pages read.
Chapters: Readers log the number of chapters they read.
Yes/No Response: Used for Readers
to complete certain activities.
Select the duration of your program (Length of Program).
Once you have selected your Program duration, you will be asked if you want to add any books into the group Book Bank. It is completely optional and used as a “suggested reading” tool for you to recommend books to your Readers. You can add as many books as you would like.
*See more about the Book Bank in the Book Bank Bonus Course.
Reading Contest:
You can choose to have Groups compete against each other or Readers compete against one another.
Each Program can only be one type of contest (Group vs. Group OR Reader Vs. Reader). You need a separate Program and Program Code for each type.
Example: If your Program has a 3rd grade class, 4th grade class, and a 5th grade class as separate Groups, you can have all the classes compete against each other and see which class (Group) reads the most. OR you can have the kids compete against each other in each Group. So, you would get one winner from each class/Group (3rd grade winner, 4th grade winner, 5th grade winner).
You will create a name for your group.
*Remember, you can have an unlimited number of Groups inside a Program.
Select how you are going to measure it: Minutes, Pages, Chapters, Books, or Yes/No responses.
Decide the duration of your program.
You will be asked if you want to add books into the Group Book Bank. It is completely optional and used as a “suggested reading” tool for you to recommend books to your readers. You can add as many books as you would like.
*See more about the Book Bank in the Book Bank Bonus Course
Advanced Program Creator:
If you are creating more than 10 Groups, we suggest using the Advanced Program Creator.
You will be brought to a screen where you can fill in the Program name and type.
Below, you can add your Groups. The first one will be ready for information to be put in. If you want to add more groups, click the green “Add Group” button and fill out the information accordingly.
The “Choose Questions” button will give you a choice of 5 questions to collect more demographic data from your Readers.
*More on additional questions in course 401
Using the “Select All” button will set the same parameters for each Group in that Program.
Once you are complete and click the green “Save” button in the bottom right corner
Take this short quiz to see how much you learned!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdW-CjtAj9V_IGYRRgqxM6vrA7g-jJLJMPt8RjkH4qVWWsNpA/viewform
Congrats on completing 102! In Reader Zone 201, you will learn about our Awards feature and how to customize it to fit your Program. See you there!
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