What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader is a computerized reading management program used by more than 20,000 schools. The program provides teachers with creative means of motivating every student, even the reluctant reader, to read. This increases students' fluency and comprehension while developing students who truly love to read.
How Does The Program Work?
1) Student reads a book. A student reads or listens to an AR book that is within his/her reading level.
2) Student takes a quiz. This computer quiz consists of 5-10 comprehension questions to measure how well he/she understood the book.
3) You get information. After each computer quiz, a TOPS report is printed that tells how the student scored on the quiz. The teacher monitors these scores.
How is the student's reading level determined?
At the beginning of the school year, students are given a standardized reading test on the computer (the MAP test) to determine their independent reading level (this reading level may also be referred to as their book level or ZPD).
What is a ZPD and how is it related to a student's book level?
The Zone of Proximal Development is the level of instruction that best suits your child. Practicing reading with books that are too hard results in frustration. Practicing reading with books that are too easy does little to improve skills and leads to boredom. A student's ZPD represents a level that is neither too hard nor too easy, and is the level at which the most learning takes place.
The ZPD can be loosely compared to a student's average grade level. A ZPD beginning with 1.1 would indicate a student's reading skills are comparable to those of an average first grader after the first month of the school year.
What is the TOPS report?
The TOPS report is generated after each quiz. This report gives the student immediate feedback about their performance on the quiz just taken. It also shows cumulative data about a student's progress for the quarter.
What is TWI?
TWI is an important part of the Accelerated Reader Program and is included in the TOPS report.
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T stands for a student being read to (by a teacher or family member)
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W means a student read with an family member or friend
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I indicates a student read the story independently.
Remember...."to", "with", and "independently", those are the ways a child can read.
Is there an AR test for every book?
No. Please check the AR Finder for a list of quizzes available, there are many books available at all levels!
How can I find out if there is an AR quiz for a specific book and what the book's level is?
Check the AR Finder to search for AR quizzes by title, author, or book level.
Can students only take quizzes on books checked out from the school library?
No. Students may read and take quizzes on books from home, the classroom library, or from the public library. However, they need to check that there is an AR quiz available at our school and that the book is within their individual ZPD. AR quizzes may only be taken at school.
How are AR books marked in the school and classroom library?
AR books are marked with sticker on the spine. The book level (ZPD) has a label on the back cover of each AR book.
Can I read AR books to my child?
Yes. In fact, parents are encouraged to read to and with their children. For beginning readers this is very important.
How do I know what my child's AR goals are?
Every child has two goals:
1. Pass tests with at least 85% accuracy: Single quiz scores should not be below 80% and a student's average quiz score should not be below 85%.
2. Earn points: Your child's individual point goal is based on his/her book level (ZPD).
How does my child earn points?
Each picture book is worth 0.5 points (novels and longer books may be worth more points - this generally happens in the older grades). Students earn points by taking and passing a quiz. For example, if a student reads and passes quizzes for 4 books, he/she would earn 2 points.
Where do students take AR quizzes?
Testing can only be done at school. It is mostly done on the classroom computers, but can also be done in the computer lab.
How does AR fit into the daily schedule?
In some classrooms, there is a scheduled time for AR reading during the day. Students may also take quizzes at other teacher-approved times, such as study hall times.
How can I help my child with AR?
Parents should reinforce the importance of reading by listening to their child read and asking questions about the book.
Is AR graded?
A student's average AR score is one piece looked at by a teacher to determine a student's reading comprehension. Other assessments are also taken into account...including participation in class discussions and reading comprehension tests completed in class.
What class and school incentives are provided for AR?
Student successes will be celebrated in the classroom and school. More information to come.
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