Accelerated Reader – FAQ
Here is a list of Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) that our librarian, Jackie Whitcher, has compiled.
What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?
The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is a
computerized reading enrichment program that combines great children’s
literature with computer skills. As an individualized reading program, it
is designed to motivate students to read more. It is not a competitive
program but one that enhances student’s reading ability and enriches reading
experiences and comprehension.
How does AR work?
Students select a
book in their reading range, read it at their own pace, and then take an
independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a certain
number of points based on its length and reading level. Students get a
percentage of these points based on how many of the test questions they answer
correctly. The program tracks their progress over the course of the school
year.
How does a student get started?
At the beginning of the school year,
students are given a vocabulary test called STAR, which can be used to identify
a student’s reading level. It measures the level of difficulty of words that
students can independently comprehend.
The teacher uses this information to determine a reading range for each
student.
Does
my child have to read within this reading range?
The reading range is called the Zone of
Proximal Development (ZPD). The designers of the AR program have determined
that the best reading practice should be done within the ZPD. If students read
material that is too easy, then there will be no gain in reading skills. If
they read material that is too difficult, they will become frustrated and
achieve no improvement in reading skills. Therefore, we require that reading be
within students’ ZPD range.
How
does my child select a book within his
Each AR book in our library has a
color-coded label on its spine with the reading level written on it. The point
value of the book is located on the inside of its back cover. Each book has a point value based on readability
and total number of words in the book. Our library has a list of our AR
books that are sorted by title, author, and reading level. This information is
also on our website, http://www.promptsuccor.org/
Does my
child have to read AR books only?
Our goal is to motivate students to read
more and to enrich their reading experiences.
We recognize that libraries are filled with good literature and not
every good book is an AR book. However, we strongly encourage students to read
AR books. The computer keeps track of A.R. reading points, books, and average
test scores, as well as other diagnostic data. With this information, we
can help students balance their reading selections with both AR and non-AR
books.
How
much time should my child spend reading?
It is recommended that students read
independently, with a buddy, or have someone read to them. Below is a chart of
recommended average minutes that should be spent on reading each day.
|
Grade Level |
Read To |
Read With |
Read Independently |
|
1 – 1st
half of year |
30 |
10 |
10 |
|
1 – 2nd
half of year |
15 |
15 |
30 |
|
2 – 1st
half of year |
15 |
10 |
35 |
|
2 – 2nd
half of year |
15 |
10 |
40 |
|
3 and up |
5 to 15 |
5 to 15 |
60 |
What
constitutes a good AR score?
The goal is to score at 80% or above.
Scoring lower may indicate that the material is too difficult, and the student
should select a book at the lower end of his/her reading level. A student who
scores at 95% or above should select a book at the upper end of his/her reading
range. If students are already reading at the top of their reading range and
consistently scoring above 95%, then their reading range should be adjusted.
When
does my child take a test?
Ideally an AR
test should be taken within 24 hours of the time the student finishes reading
the book. The questions are designed to verify that the student has read the
book so they are directed more to details of the story element. Teachers
usually have a designated AR time in their class schedule that allows students
to take AR tests in the classroom.
How
can I support and encourage my child to read at home?
Read Together. Children feel
special when they are reading next to their parents/grandparents. As children learn
to read, take turns turning pages. Once a habit of reading together is
established, parents can sit nearby as older children read their own books.
Read to your
child. Children
enjoy hearing stories and talking about them long after they can read for
themselves.
Find good books
to read. Encourage
your child to read within his/her reading range. You can check books out of our
public library as long as the AR test is available at our school.
Make a time and
place for reading. The American child watches an average of three hours of TV a
day. It shouldn’t be too hard to find some time every day to read. Many parents
find that bedtime is ideal.
Set an example. Children copy
what they see. When a parent turns off the TV and reads a newspaper, a magazine,
or a book, the child leans that reading is important.
Help children
become active readers. As you read together, share ideas and ask
questions: What do you think will happen next? As children get older, ask questions about what they
read on their own. When they tell you the story, they learn to organize and
remember the information.
How will the
Accelerated Reader help my child with reading?
The
Accelerated Reader Program enables a child to gradually increase both the
difficulty and comprehension of material read. This will not only help increase
reading scores, but more importantly, enjoyment of reading.
What is the OLPS A/R Birthday Book Club?
We all want our children to be successful readers. In order to accomplish this goal a campaign
has begun to acquire new books for our school’s library. Everyone can participate. A book can be
sponsored/adopted by your child for $20.00 ($15.00 is the average price of an
A/R book and $5.00 is the average price of an A/R test). By sponsoring a book, your child will have
his or her name printed on a book label in a book chosen within the child’s
reading level and interest, and the book will be placed in the OLPS library,
his or her name will be recognized over the intercom by Mrs. Tassin at the 1st
of each month as the sponsor of a book, and his or her name will be printed in
the monthly Home and School HOT SPOT.
What is Renaissance Place?
Renaissance Place
is the new version of the Accelerated Reader program. The program has a special feature called Home
Connect. Home Connect is a fun,
easy-to-understand web-based interface that allows the students, parents and
teachers to share in the educational experience by viewing progress in certain
Renaissance Place programs while outside of the school.
You can view Home
Connect from any computer with an Internet connection using these browsers:
*Internet Explorer 6.02 or later
*Firefox 1.5 or later
*Safari 2.0.3 or later
Each child received
a User Name & Password. If you
misplace your user name or password, please contact your teacher.
To log into Home
Connect:
*Web site: https://Hosted57.renlearn.com/212615/HomeConnect/Login.aspx
In Home Connect
you can also:
*Click Email Setup to
sign up to receive emails showing your student’s quiz or test results.
*Click Help to get answers to your
questions about Home Connect.