UNDERSTANDING A.R. Royal Elementary School participates in a reading program called Accelerated Reader (AR). This page is intended to help parents understand the way we use AR at Royal. The following are some common questions and answers to briefly explain the program: WHAT IS AR? In a nutshell: AR is a research-based reading program developed by Rennaisance Learning, which encourages students to read at their own levels. Children earn points for reading books and passing computer-based comprehension tests. Teachers can use AR as one means to determine a child's reading growth, and students' book levels are intended to advance with their reading growth. WHY IS AR HELPFUL TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS? One of the guiding principles of AR is that it allows students to successfully read at their own individual levels. If a child is reading above or below their grade level, AR is a relatively simple way to allow students the freedom to read within their 'comfort zone' and yet still be challenged. Because it's a computer-based program, teachers can objectively monitor students' success and run diagnostic reports, therefore, better individualizing assignments and focusing instruction. HOW CAN MY CHILD AND I ACCESS AR? With the new Renaissance Place update in January 2008, students and parents can access book lists and scores online using individual user names and passwords. Royal's hosted web address is http://hosted172.renlearn.com/1485819 DO ALL GRADE LEVELS PARTICIPATE IN AR? No. Most kindergarteners and early first graders are not yet reading independently enough to utilize this program effectively. By the end of first grade, many teachers begin to introduce it to those students who may be capable. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF MY CHILD? Ask his or her teacher...Some teachers are strong supporters of this program, and others use it as an optional reading incentive program. HOW IS MY CHILD'S READING LEVEL DETERMINED? At the beginning of the year and at intervals throughout the school year, students are given the STAR test. This multiple choice test is given on the computer. Students are given a sentence in which they fill in the blanks with the correct answer choice. As the students answer correctly, the sentences lengthen to paragraphs and passages, with gradually increasing difficulty. Students' performance on this test will determine their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) Range. The Zone of Proximal Development is the level at which students are the most capable of expanding their reading skills. This ZPD Range is more often referred to as the students' "AR Levels". WHAT DOES "AR LEVEL" MEAN? Books are leveled 0.1 to 12.9. These numbers somewhat correlate to grade levels. Children are given an AR Level as determined by their performance on the STAR Test. Children should select books that 'match' their AR Level. When children read books within this level, these books will likely be "just right." This means they should not be selecting AR books that are too easy for them, and they should not be selecting books that are way above their capability to read. Their AR Levels help students to choose books that they can successfully read and comprehend, while stretching their skills just enough to promote reading growth. AR Levels should be increased with consistent success at any given level. Additionally, a student's level may be lowered based on poor/inconsistent performance at the level previously assigned. HOW DOES MY CHILD KNOW WHICH BOOKS ARE ON HIS LEVEL? All of our library's AR books are color-coded on the spine with a dot sticker which correlates to a reading level range. Colored dots help students easily spot "just right" books on their levels.. 0.0-1.9- light green 5.0- 5.9- yellow 2.0 -2.9- pink 6.0 - 6.9- green 3.0- 3.9- orange 7.0 + - blue 4.0- 4.9- red You will find a label inside the front cover of each AR book which indicates the AR Book Level (sometimes written AR BL). The website www.arbookfind.com is a valuable tool when checking levels of books you may have at home, or you may refer to it when referring to books at a local library or book store. WILL MY CHILD BE AT THIS SAME AR LEVEL ALL YEAR? Hopefully not. A child's AR Level should be consistent with her performance on her AR tests. If a child is continually scoring 90% or 100% on her AR tests, the teacher will consider increasing her AR Level, so she'll be choosing more difficult books to read. On the other hand, if she is not passing her AR tests, her level may be lowered to better meet her needs. WHAT IF A BOOK IS NOT AN "AR BOOK"? The majority of the books on our shelves have accompanying AR tests. Some books are "Not AR" because Renaissance Learning does not make a compatible test. Some books may not be 'comprehension-friendly' (for instance joke books or cook books). Renaissance Place currently allows students to access over 100,000 tests, and over 100 new tests are added weekly. WHY DID MY CHILD BRING HOME A LIBRARY BOOK THAT IS NOT ON HIS LEVEL? I strongly support the AR program; however, I also strongly support a student's desire to explore interests and topics for which they are enthusiastic. Sometimes students choose books to read (or to look just look at the pictures), because they are excited about that book or topic. As a media specialist, I feel that it is my role to encourage that curiosity and exploration. Where reading skills are necessary for academic success, the excitement of reading is equally as crucial in developing a lifetime of reading enjoyment and love of books! When students visit the library, we suggest that they check out books that meet both of their needs. See Checking Out Books for library procedures. FOR EXPLANATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, CLICK HERE. WHAT DO THE POINTS MEAN? HOW MANY POINTS SHOULD MY CHILD BE EARNING? WILL MY CHILD BE GIVEN A PRIZE FOR EARNING AR POINTS? CAN I READ THE AR BOOK WITH MY CHILD? WHY DOES MY CHILD'S TEACHER ASK HER TO READ HER BOOK TWICE? CAN MY CHILD WATCH THE MOVIE AND TAKE AN AR TEST? HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD MEET HIS AR GOALS? HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON THE AR PROGRAM? PROCEED FOR ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. BACK TO AR PAGE |
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