Accelerated Reader 101

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Accelerated Reader 101

• Linda Sears,
• Library Media Specialist
• Oak Mountain Intermediate School
• October 22, 2009

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The vocabulary

• ARAccelerated Reader, a computerized reading
  management program
• ZPDZone of Proximal Development, the range where
  students should be able to read and understand
  books well enough to pass the AR test,
  maintaining an 90 or higher average
• LMCLibrary Media Center, Bookingham Palace,
  Library

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How Accelerated Reader Works

• Choose a book you like
• Read it carefully
• Take the AR test within a day or two of finishing
  the bookno more than a weekend if at all
  possible

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Accelerated Reader Goals

• ..\Accelerated Reader\AR Goal sheet.doc

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How Do You Know What To Read?

• Select a book from our AR test list
• If you are signed up for Renaissance Place Home
  Connect, check there
• If your child knows their Destiny username and
  password, check there

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• OMIS library books are marked with a yellow
  sticker. Inside is a sticker giving the book
  level.

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How Do You Know What Level?

• Students are tested with STAR to recommend
  appropriate levels
• Students are given their ZPD Zone of Proximal
  Development or reading range (also called book
  level).

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• STAR testing is done 3 times each year
• beginning, middle, end.
• Some teachers may test more often.

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Other Factors Influence Comprehension

• prior knowledge
• interest
• help with reading (being read to or reading with
  someone else)
• external factors (emotions, physical conditions,
  lighting, etc.)

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Student reading ranges

• Students should read what THEY like.
• We DO encourage them to be reading in their ZPD.
  We do NOT limit them to reading only in their
  range. They may read above or below, keeping in
  mind that their goal includes having an 90 or
  higher overall average after they are accustomed
  to AR.

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Who Participates?

• All OMIS fourth and fifth graders can
  participate.
• Some students will participate more than others,
  but all students are expected to meet
  requirements as set by classroom teacher and LMS.
• Each child should be taking a test a week,
  keeping an 90 or higher average and reading (on
  average) in their ZPD.

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Parent encouragement is vital

• Let them see you reading
• Ask them how they are doing on their average and
  check RenPlace Home Connect weekly.
• Check Vocabulary Quizzes
• Discuss what they are reading with them
• Read to them or with them

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Parents can

• Make books available
• Make time for the student to read
• Help the student find books they LIKE to read
• Suggest books you liked when you were their age

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Parents can

• Ask what if questions to encourage higher order
  thinking
• Alternate chapters, pages or voices when reading
  aloud.
• Reduce pressure increase comfort level

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Parents can encourage all types of reading by

• Spending time in a local book store
• Visiting a library other than your usual one
• Scheduling a regular summer visiting day to your
  local library
• Providing brochures, maps, etc. for students to
  prepare for vacation trips you are going on or
  would like to go on
• Supervising cooking activities where student
  follows a written recipe

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Parents can

• Ask students questions about what they have just
  finished reading
• Listen to audio books in the car as you travel
• Set goals with their child
• Go over student record report that comes home
  with report card

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Whats Important

• Emphasis should be on overall average (90 or
  higher), reading range, and meeting their goals
  rather than accumulating points.

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Whats Important

• Students should be encouraged to read a wide
  variety of books--fiction, nonfiction, AR and
  non-AR books.

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Tips

• If, after the first chapter or two, youre not
  enjoying the book, choose another one!
• Read aloud, with a partner, or have someone read
  to you.

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More Tips

• Dont try to take the test from a movie or an
  abridged, edited or condensed book.
• If at first you dont succeed,
• try another book.

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How Much Time Should a Child Read?

• Students need to read a minimum of 60 minutes
  every day, including weekends.
• Time spent does not have to be consecutive it
  includes school and home time.

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AR Recognition

• Get a free paperback book each 9 weeks goals are
  met
• Earn rank, get your name on the Hall of Fame
• At 350 points, receive an AR T-shirt
• Certificates for meeting goals and achieving rank

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Renaissance Place Home Connect

• Home Connect (click here to access)
• You can connect with the above address or using
  the OMIS website, Library Information, Book Fair
  Links

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