Rainbow Elementary SchoolRainbow Elementary School

Accelerated Reader ProgramAccelerated Reader Program

What is AR-Accelerated What is AR-Accelerated Reader?Reader?

Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer-(AR) is a computer-based program based program that allows that allows students to read students to read books and test books and test their knowledge their knowledge using the available using the available quizzes in the quizzes in the schools’ schools’ computers.computers.

Purpose of Accelerated Purpose of Accelerated Reader…..Reader…..

The purpose of The purpose of Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader is to encourage is to encourage students to select students to select appropriate books appropriate books for their reading for their reading level and increase level and increase their reading level their reading level while enjoying while enjoying themselves.themselves.

How the AR works:How the AR works:key componentskey components

STAR STAR TestingTesting SStudents are tested for the reading level using this test. The results tudents are tested for the reading level using this test. The results

are the ZPD range.are the ZPD range.

Book listBook list Reading levelReading level Student choiceStudent choice

TestTest Accountability-time on taskAccountability-time on task Establishes comprehensionEstablishes comprehension

Points on computerPoints on computer IncentivesIncentives Tracking student performanceTracking student performance

The program at Rainbow:The program at Rainbow:

Any program that is implemented in a school, Any program that is implemented in a school, needs to be properly implemented and needs to be properly implemented and monitored in order to succeed. Anything less monitored in order to succeed. Anything less results in disappointment.results in disappointment.

The Library is equipped with AR books; The Library is equipped with AR books; designated with labels that include Reading designated with labels that include Reading Level and points for each bookLevel and points for each book

Computers in the library, labs & classrooms are Computers in the library, labs & classrooms are equipped with the AR which has quizzes for the equipped with the AR which has quizzes for the designated books.designated books.

ARAR

RLRL

1.51.5

PTSPTS

0.50.5

Getting off on the right footGetting off on the right foot

Stages:Stages: Every child a successEvery child a success Quality over quantityQuality over quantity Reading levelReading level Using incentivesUsing incentives Immediate diagnosis & Immediate diagnosis &

interventionintervention

STAR: STAR: Standardized Test for Assessment of Standardized Test for Assessment of

ReadingReading A computer-based reading assessmentA computer-based reading assessment Normed against 60,00 studentsNormed against 60,00 students Takes 10 minutesTakes 10 minutes Uses adaptive branching: the questions get more difficult as the Uses adaptive branching: the questions get more difficult as the

student answers them.student answers them. Instant statistical report with dataInstant statistical report with data Data that includes ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) range, Data that includes ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) range,

recommendations, grade level, (IR) Instructional Reading Level, Grade recommendations, grade level, (IR) Instructional Reading Level, Grade Equivalent (G.E.), and Percentile Ranking (PR)Equivalent (G.E.), and Percentile Ranking (PR)

Entire class tested at onceEntire class tested at once No two tests are alikeNo two tests are alike Assessment given at the beginning, middle, and end of school year to Assessment given at the beginning, middle, and end of school year to

determine reading growth. Teachers may choose to administer the determine reading growth. Teachers may choose to administer the STAR more frequently to monitor students.STAR more frequently to monitor students.

Using the Program…..Using the Program…..

1.1. In August, every student is assessed In August, every student is assessed using the STAR Reading Test during the using the STAR Reading Test during the computer lab time.computer lab time.

2.2. Teacher & student review student’s ZPD Teacher & student review student’s ZPD range (Zone of Proximal Development) range (Zone of Proximal Development)

3.3. Using the ZPD range-students along Using the ZPD range-students along with teacher check out designated with teacher check out designated library books that pertain to their range.library books that pertain to their range.

* The range is the student’s * The range is the student’s comfortable reading level without comfortable reading level without frustration.frustration.

Cont’d:Cont’d:

4. *Students can test only once in each quiz. Files 4. *Students can test only once in each quiz. Files for every student are carried over from year to for every student are carried over from year to year.year.

5. The students record the information on their 5. The students record the information on their AR logs.AR logs.

6. Student & teacher review results.6. Student & teacher review results.

7. The teacher monitors reading & quiz activities.7. The teacher monitors reading & quiz activities.

AR Reading LogAR Reading Log

Parent MonitoringParent Monitoring Review Reading Log on a daily basis.Review Reading Log on a daily basis. Question students about books.Question students about books. When visiting the library check on ZPD range when students select their books.When visiting the library check on ZPD range when students select their books. Compliment students—Praise your child for their effort!Compliment students—Praise your child for their effort! Avoid negative attitudes when students do not progress at a fast pace—Do not Avoid negative attitudes when students do not progress at a fast pace—Do not

emphasize points. emphasize points. Monitor quiz takingMonitor quiz taking Communicate with your child’s teacher or school librarian about questions or Communicate with your child’s teacher or school librarian about questions or

concerns.concerns.*If monitoring exists, then students are held responsible for their actions.*If monitoring exists, then students are held responsible for their actions.

Please connect to Home ConnectPlease connect to Home Connect

Ultimate Goals:Ultimate Goals:

To instill the To instill the lifelong love of lifelong love of ReadingReading

To become To become independent, independent, successful and successful and productive readers productive readers in our societyin our society

Renaissance Home Connect improves the school-to-home connection Renaissance Home Connect improves the school-to-home connection byby

allowing parents and students to log in to a website and view their allowing parents and students to log in to a website and view their student’sstudent’s

reading and math practice and progress towards goals. Access to onlinereading and math practice and progress towards goals. Access to onlineresults promotes discussion between parent and student, which results promotes discussion between parent and student, which

motivatesmotivatesstudents and can make reading and math practice even more effective.students and can make reading and math practice even more effective.

In addition, parents can specify up to six email addresses to receive In addition, parents can specify up to six email addresses to receive automaticautomatic

updates on their student’s math and reading progress.updates on their student’s math and reading progress.

Renaissance Home Connect™ is… Connecting Parents and Extending

Practice

Minimum 90%

Please review your child’s point goal for Accelerated Reader. Teachers may adjust Individual goals to meet student’s needs. We also have a weekly goal of 90%.

We reward students for their hard work. However, parents should encourage their child to read to grow in fluency and comprehension—It’s not about points.

The School Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Each grade level has specific days and times to test for Accelerated Reader. Students and parents must follow the testing schedule and library rules.

Please be advised that the library might have to close due to staff meetings or trainings. We will do our best to inform you ahead of time.