Accelerated Reader (AR)

In an effort to strengthen our reading comprehension and vocabulary, we are asking each student to try very hard to reach their Accelerated Reader goal each nine weeks. Students have been encouraged to use their spare time wisely by reading. Studies show that students should be reading for a minimum of twenty minutes each evening and this improves comprehension and fluency! We also have a few minutes each day right before dismissal that we use for sustained silent reading. Students are to choose an AR book that is within their independent reading level and then take the computerized AR test. Students will need to obtain an 80% accuracy rate for each test in order to receive their points. Students are each given an AR goal. Students who reach their goal will be recognized at the Awards Assembly that is held each nine weeks. Students will also be given extra credit in the area of reading for their report card if they make their goal. Please help me to encourage your child to read each day.

Read below to learn more about AR.

Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps me manage and monitor your child's independent reading practice. Your child picks a book at his own level and reads it at his own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read.) Accelerated Reader gives your child and I feedback based on the quiz results, which I will then use to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

Children using Accelerated Reader choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.

Teachers and librarians help your child choose books at an appropriate readability level that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring that your child can pass the quiz and experience success.

I will determine your child’s reading level by the Renaissance Star Reading® test. This is an online test that students will take 4 times a year, at the end of each nine weeks.

Each child will be given an AR goal based on their reading level. The higher their reading level, the higher their goal will be. This is because higher level books are worth more points (read below). Your child will receive a new AR Goal at the beginning of each nine weeks of the school year.

Every book that has an Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. Points are computed based on the difficulty of the book (ATOS readability level) and the length of the book (number of words).

Children earn points, or a portion of a book’s points, depending on how well they do on the Reading Practice Quiz. For example, a child who takes a 5-question quiz on a book worth 1 point will earn 1 point for 5 correct answers (100%), 0.8 point for 4 correct answers (80%), etc. A child who reads a book worth 5 points and takes a 10-question quiz will earn 5 points for 10 correct answers (100%), 4.5 points for 9 correct answers (90%), etc. For quizzes with 3, 5, or 10 questions, a child needs to pass a quiz with a score of 60% or higher to earn points. For quizzes with 20 questions, a child needs to pass with a score of 80% or higher to earn points.

You can visit the Accelerated Reader Bookfinder™ at arbookfind.com to conduct a search of all available books with Accelerated Reader quizzes.