Central Intermediate :: AR/Accelerated Reader

AR/Accelerated Reader Program

Central Intermediate School 2009-2010 (Will be updated for 2010-11)

Purpose of Accelerated Reader (AR)

Most popular and successful reading product of all time
Makes essential reading practice more effective for every student
Personalizes reading practice to each student's current level
Assess students' reading with the STAR reading test and reading practice quizzes
Build a lifelong love of reading and learning

How is your child's reading level determined?

All students will be given the STAR test in order to determine their reading level. After taking the test, each child will receive a reading range (ZPD) in which they are encouraged to select books from and a point goal to work towards.
The ZPD defines the readability range from which students should be selecting books in order to achieve optimal growth in reading skills without experiencing frustration. However, the ZPD is approximate. Success at any reading level also depends on the student's interest and prior knowledge of a book's content. Your child should always select books to match their individual needs and interests.

Reading Goals

As students read books and take quizzes they will be working towards two goals. They will be earning points by reading books within their reading range, and they will be working towards having an 85% or higher average comprehension score.
During the 2009-2010 school year, there will be four Accelerated Reader goal setting periods. An AR grade will be given during the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd goal setting period.
The dates of the goal setting periods are as follows:

1^st goal setting period -

2^nd goal setting period -

3rd goal setting period-

4^th goal setting period -

Accelerated Reader Grade

The AR grade will be based on the average percent correct achieved (comprehension) and the percent (no more than 100%) of the point goal achieved.
Example: Your child's goal was to earn 5 points and they earned 5 points. Their point percentage is 100%. Your child took quizzes on the books they read and the average percent correct on comprehension during this period was 80%. To figure out their grade, take the average of the comprehension (80%) and the percent of the point goal (100%) and average them together. Their score would be 90/100. (80 + 100 = 180, 180 divided by 2 = 90).
If the percentage of the point goal is over 100%, bonus points will be given as follows:

101% - 149% - 5 bonus points 150% - 199% - 10 bonus points

200% - 249% - 15 bonus points 250% - up - 20 bonus points

Reading Logs

Students should have a 3 prong pocket folder in which to keep their AR handouts and reading log.
The reading log should be used to write down information about the book they are reading in order to insure they are taking the correct AR quiz.
The classroom teacher and the librarian will do periodic checks to see if the student is keeping up with their reading log.

Points to remember

Quizzes should be taken as soon as possible after the book has been read. Quizzes are taken on the computer in either the classroom or the library.
The books do not have to be checked out from the school library in order for a student to take a quiz on them. We have access to over 100,000 quizzes. The website www.arbookfind.com is an excellent source to use to find books on the AR list.
Students are encouraged to also read and test on nonfiction books. However, nonfiction books have more detail and are harder to understand than most fiction books. It is suggested that students choose nonfiction books that are lower than their reading zone. Points earned from nonfiction books will be counted towards their point goal.
Once the student reaches his/her goal by reading books within their zone, they do not have to continue to take AR quizzes during that goal setting period. However, they may choose to continue reading and taking quizzes in order to improve their comprehension average and/or earn additional points. Attached you will find a copy of our AR incentive program.

Home Connect

We now have access to Home Connect. This is where parents can login to the AR program and see how their child is doing. You can also opt to receive an email with the results of the quiz your child has taken. To access home connect use the following website address or go to the Central Community School System website. Select the students tab, and then select Renaissance Place Home Connect. Use your child's AR user name and password. User name is first initial followed by last name followed by the last 4 digits of their ss#. (ex. cblanchard9999) The password is their last 5 digits of their ss#.