WHEN DOES ACCELERATED READING BEGIN? Accelerated Reading has been going on since early October, 2008!Now that we are well into the third quarter, we are ALL responsible for visiting the library AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK before school, during lunch, or after school. On the rare occasion that the library is closed, Mrs. Vann posts those dates outside the library door at the beginning of the week, so that you have plenty of time to plan your visit. This quarter, you have 5 points due EVERY FRIDAY. WHAT SHOULD I READ? The California Department of Education provides a list of Recommended Books: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/ll/. WHY DO WE DO ACCELERATED READING? The California State Standards require that every seventh grader read one million words independently from assigned homework. Students earn Accelerated Reading points by completing a book and taking a computerized, multiple choice test on it in the library. In an effort to help all students meet the million word goal, students are assigned a minimum of 25 AR points per quarter, although we aim for 50 points per quarter, in order to meet our goal. This means that each student must read a 5 point book, usually a mid-length chapter book in time for our Friday library day (one HARRY POTTER book is worth over 25 points, to give you an idea of how reasonable this expectation really is). Please check your student's backpack, to make sure that he or she has selected an appropriate book for "pleasure reading." Many students find they can sneak in 20-30 minutes of free reading if they keep an AR book beside their bed, although we will be piloting a lunch-time "Bear's Den" for those who find it difficult to schedule free reading time for themselves. Passes to the "Bear's Den" can be earned throughout the day by exhibiting good citizenship. Ms. Holt suggests that all seventh grade parents check the Homework link on this site regularly. Please contact her at 916-807-0442 if your student receives a zero on any recorded AR points.