Accelerated Reader Program Overview

Accelerated Reader Overview
 

            We are so very proud…last year our students earned over 59,000 points and read over 100,000 books.  Students in grades kindergarten thru fifth, work toward individual goals, class goals and an overall school goal. 

We participate in the Accelerated Reader Program through Renaissance Learning http://www.renlearn.com/reading.htm.  We use AR as a supplemental program to increase reading fluency and strengthen vocabulary and comprehension skills.

       All students are expected to earn a certain number of points by reading books.  All students, regardless of level, are expected to maintain a percentage of correct answers of at least 85%. 

 A child’s point goal is determined by his/her independent reading level, which is obtained through administering the STAR reading assessment (http://www.renlearn. com/starreading/default.htm) at the beginning of each nine weeks. Upon completing the STAR test, each student is given his/her Zone of Proximal Development (reading range). This range is best for optimal growth.  ZPD’s ensure less frustration because of levels that are too high, or lack of growth because of levels that are too low.  A child’s ZPD is used to determine his/her point goal, and point goals vary from child to child. 

Once your child’s ZPD and goal has been established, you will receive an AR goal sheet (see example below) listing all information needed for success during each grading period.  If you have questions, please contact the teacher immediately.

At the end of each nine weeks the teacher averages each child’s Percent of Goal Met and Average Percentage Correct, with his/her other grades to acquire a final reading grade for the report card.  In short, AR percentages are a part of your child’s report card grade. 

Please be aware that we monitor progress to ensure that students are reading both non-fiction and fiction titles; both genres are needed for the best reading development. 

As you can see, the program is quite important! Your child needs to read at least 20 minutes nightly to progress and become a fluent reader.  This doesn’t mean he/she has to read alone every night…take turns reading the book, ask him/her questions about the story, have him/her read it to you or to a sibling.  Remember, they must read to succeed!

Lastly, be sure to take a look at the Quiz List on our website at www.arbookfind.com. More than likely you probably have some of the books around the house and you may also visit the Wildwood Public Library for a great selection of titles.

If you would like to provide a title suggestion to add to our AR collection please feel free to contact our Media Specialist, Mrs. Pam Walley.

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AR GOAL SHEET

Your child ______________ took the STAR reading assessment on _________.  His/her ZPD (reading range) is ________________.  Based on this range, his/her goal for the _____ nine weeks is ______ points, at 85% correct or higher.  With this point goal, your child needs to read approximately ______ books by the end of the grading period. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your child’s teacher.

HAPPY READING!!!