AR Program
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“Earthlings, Take Me to Your Readers!”
This is the overall theme of this year’s Accelerated Reader (AR) program at Sts. Joachim and Ann School. This fall students were challenged to read books and take comprehension quizzes by “aliens” who invaded our school by spaceship! This program allows students to choose books at their own level and read it at their own pace. They are then rewarded for successfully passing a quiz which indicates the child understood what was read. AR is designed to build and encourage students to become lifelong readers and learners. At Sts. Joachim and Ann we try to make this program as engaging as possible for our students, so at the end of the year if students have met the school wide reading goal we have an exciting celebration!
This is a supplemental, individualized reading program in which students read library books and then take comprehension quizzes on the computer based on the contents of the books. Each AR book has been assigned a point value. Points are based on the difficulty and length of the book. Based on the child's quiz score, points are earned. For example, a 2.2 (second grade, second month) level book may be worth 1 AR point. If the child scores an 80% on the quiz, he/she may receive 0.5 points.
Star Reading is a 10 minute computerized reading assessment which will help us establish a personalized reading plan for each student.
All students in Grades 1-8 will take a STAR reading test. After taking the test, a student will receive a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) range. ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. The optimal score for an AR test is between 85%-92%. If a child consistently scores above 92%, the book may be too easy, or the content too short. The book may be too difficult if scores are consistently below 85%. Students must have a signed Internet permission form on file in order to participate in STAR Reading and AR.
Grades 1-8 participate in the program. The Kindergarten teachers will determine how Kindergarten students will participate.
To find AR books, go to www.arbookfind.com to conduct a search. When visiting the public libraries, the children's desk librarian should be able to help you access this site to find books. There are also smartphone apps that can aid your search for AR books. All of the fiction books in our library have quizzes available. We have access to over 110,000 quizzes. Due to the number of titles available, we will not keep a printed copy of book titles.
Points are based on the difficulty and length of the book. Based on the child's quiz score, points are earned. For example, a 2.2 (second grade, second month) level book may be worth 1 AR point. If the child scores an 80% on the quiz, he/she may receive 0.5 points.
Challenges: As a school we will keep a running total of our accumulated points. The AR teacher committee will determine a school goal to be reached as well as an incentive for the students to reach that goal. In addition, students will work for individual points. Individual classrooms may have classroom challenges (requirements) or goals.
Point Levels: Beginning in September, students will be awarded for reaching various point levels. Incentives will be given out during each class's library time once a month. It should be understood that a 1st grader may only get to the 25 point level by the end of the school year, whereas a 7th grader should progress much further. The points a child earns throughout the year are continuously accumulated from month to month.
The answer is easy, READ WITH YOUR CHILDREN, encourage the program, monitor your child's progress, and ask questions when you don't understand things
Encourage reading time: We strive to give each child reading time during each school day. In addition, the child MUST read at home as well. If reading is the most important academic skill needed, we must allow time for it to flourish.
Provide computer time for quiz taking: Each classroom is equipped with computers for taking quizzes. All students may take quizzes in any of their classrooms as well as the library and computer lab.
Give better access to book availability: Students should be able to find books they enjoy from our library, the public libraries, or book stores. Tests will be readily available for most every book.