What is Accelerated Reader?

The Accelerated Reading program is a program in which the students will read books that have a computerized test that correlates with the book.  The students will be tested at the beginning of the school year to see what reading level they are reading at through a program called *Star Reading.  I require that every student select an approved book within their reading level range and then take a test over the book to test their comprehension skills.  Every student will have 4 different AR requirements to complete each nine weeks (see below). The Accelerated Reading portion of the overall Reading Grade is 10%.  Not completing the Accelerated Reading requirements will bring down the reading grade quite a bit.

*We usually take the Star test the second or third week of school and then again in the winter.

What are the requirements?

Why include AR in the reading curriculum?

I think there is no better teacher of vocabulary and comprehension than reading a book at home.  Students are exposed to new words, concepts, and get to practice the comprehension skills we learn at school.  I feel that most of what I teach in reading at school would be lost if the kids didn’t dive into a book and read some at home.  Reading novels at home gives them the practice they need to be great readers in the future.

When and where are tests taken?

Kids have to go to the library to take tests.  They have library class every Monday.  They can take a test any day though during resource class.  If your child has orchestra, he/she will need to talk to me about going a different time during the day.  I always find a time.  Most likely it will be first thing in the morning or at the end of the day.

I saw my child read the whole book, but he/she didn’t pass the test.  Does this means there will be no points?

This happens quite often.  I do think the tests are fair.  Usually it is a 10 point multiple choice test on basic plot questions.  Sometimes they through in a challenging question, but they are usually basic.  A child must get 60% to get any points.  Less than that and they would not get any portion of the point value of the book.  I know how frustrating this is because it happened with my own child.  Therefore, I am offering kids a ‘second chance’ book report.  If they did read the whole book and didn’t pass the test, download the book report form at the bottom of this page and turn it into to me.  I will add the points to their AR total.  I know it is a lot of extra work, but it is better than getting no credit in AR.  The report will prove to me that the child read the book.  *I do not accept this for books that have movie versions of the book.  It would be too hard to monitor if it was actually read or watched.  So if you want to have the 2nd chance book report as an option, read a book that is not a movie yet.  There are thousands!

What if my child hates reading?

While some kids love to read at home and love the idea of getting points for it, I know there are many who could think of nothing they would rather do more.  I know it is a struggle to get some kids to read at home.  I think it is often because they choose the wrong books (either too big, too small, too easy, too hard, or too boring).  Please ask me if you need a suggestion for your child.  I will talk to him/her and try and find something that will be interesting.  I’ve hooked a lot of kids over the years on a book series they didn’t know existed.  The kids have to get the AR points for their grades.  They might as well find something they like to read.  I will help you in doing that.

I also have a few good websites listed below for finding good books:

https://sites.google.com/a/duneland.k12.in.us/dlashenik/readkiddoread

http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/books/?lnkid=stacks/nav/b_and_a/main