School Year 2009/2010  

 

WHAT is the Accelerated Reader Program?

It is an online program that allows students to practice reading and asses their reading comprehension of the books they have chosen. It facilitates the monitoring of reading growth by the students, parents, teachers , and Media Specialists, and allows for intervention and remediation when necessary. It is a complementary tool when used with traditional teaching of reading skills.  

   

WHO participates?

Grades 2nd thru 8th participate in our Accelerated Reader Program.

   

WHERE can the students take quizzes?

Students may take quizzes in the classroom,in the Technology Lab, or in the Media Center. They may not take quizzes at home

   

WHEN can they take quizzes?

Only at school during the school hours of 7:30am to 3:00 pm.

 

 

WHAT are the quizzes like?

Using a user name and password your child will log on to Renaissance Learning website and take a quiz on a book they have just finished. Quizzes at the early grades usually are made up of 5 to 10 questions. They are multiple choice questions, and the quizzes are timed.

 

HOW do I stay informed about how my student is doing in the AR program?

At the beginning of the school year your student will be bringing home a handout that will inform you of the Home Connect website, which allows you to check your students goal progress, view what books he/she is reading/, and even sign up to get an Email with results each time your child takes a quiz. For further info on this service log on to http://resources.renlearnrp.com/US/HomeConnect/WhatIsHomeConnect.pdf

Note: Children are not allowed to retake quizzes, unless requested by the classroom teacher. The AR program keeps track of all of the quizzes each student takes from the date he/she begins to take quizzes.

 

HOW are goals set?

Goals for each student are set at the beginning of each marking period. Emphasis is placed on 85 % passing average or above. In addition, the number of points the student earns each marking period.

Each student has their own individual goal . At the beginning of the school year the student is given an assessment test, STAR. The results of the test plus the amount of time the student spends practicing reading determines the goal that is set out by the teacher. Each student will start out with a reading grade range aka Zone of Proximal Development. The ZPD is the zone from which the student should choose books for the best growth.

→Please note that children will often score lower than what they scored at the end of the previous year when tested in September. This is normal. Students will again be tested in January and again at the end of the year usually at the end of May.

 

Readability Levels

We have labeled all of the Holy Family library books that have an AR quiz with color labels.   The labels provide reading level and number of points each book is worth:

Pink for Reading Levels up to grade level 2.9

Neon green for Reading grade levels 3.0 to 5.9

Yellow for Reading grade levels 6.0 and up.

Book points are determine by the length of the words and the length of the book. Points can vary from .5 to 50.

 

Interest Levels

In addition to the readability level of a book and points, there is the interest level for each book. Please be advised that interest level and reading level are not always compatible.

☼The readability level is about the difficulty of the text,

☼ the interest level is about the content and whether it's suitable for certain age groups and grades.

→To check from any computer on the reading level, interest level, or points assigned to a book please go to http://www.arbookfind.com

 

INCENTIVES   &   REWARDS

With this program students derive instant feedback and reward when they see a successful quiz result. Most teachers have their own reward system in their classroom to further encourage reading. Also, there is a bulletin board located at the entrance of the Media Center that charts the goal achievement of each student in the school. Students who meet their goals for all four marking periods will be invited to attend an end of the school year AR party. In addition, each marking period students who meet their goals will be announced in the school's newsletter, and on the Campus Network News.

 

Should you have any questions or suggestions please contact me, ext.247, or Email me.

Mrs. Gibbs

 

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