FAQ's about AR

Accelerated Reader (AR) & Home Connect FAQ’s

1. How is my student's ATOS reading level (aka dot color) determined?

Each Trimester students in 2nd Grade - 6th Grade take the STAR reading test. The test evaluates their ATOS reading level. ATOS reading level is divided into DOT colors in our school library. Each student will have a range of colors that they will use to determine what level books they can read and take accelerated reader (AR) quizzes on. Teachers will move up students after they increase their score on the STAR reading test at the beginning of a trimester. The STAR test is taken at the beginning of each trimester or when the teacher feels another assessment is necessary.

2. How can I see quizzes that have been taken and the progress my student has made?

Using Home Connect you may check your student's progress. Home Connect is linked to the Shell Beach Elementary website under Library. Find Accelerated Reader then click on Link to Home Connect to log in. Your student's Username is their firstname<space> lastname (example: John Smith). The password is their 4 digit Student Number. Student Numbers are on your Aeries account if you need to look it up.

3. What other information can be viewed from home when logged into Home Connect?

Once logged into Home Connect progress can be viewed under Reading Practice Quizzes (not vocabulary quizzes). View my bookshelf shows all the books they have taken a quiz on. You can also sign up for progress email notifications under email setup. The AR Book Finder can be used to find books that offer quizzes. Books do not have to be from our school library. You can also take quizzes from books that you have read from home or your public library.

4. How is my students trimester goal determined?

The student’s trimester goal is established by the student's reading level from the STAR reading test, the amount of minutes spent each day reading and the school days in the trimester. Goals should be attainable if the student is engaged while reading books they have chosen books within their reading level (ATOS / Dot Color).

5. Can my student take an AR quiz from home?

Students can not take quizzes from home. Quizzes can be taken at school while using a school device.

6. Are Students limited to books from the school library?

No. Students can quiz on any book that has an AR quiz. There are thousands of AR quizzes! If you want to know if a book has a quiz, use the AR Book Finder. AR Book Finder can also assist in finding the Dot color for a specific book. Please note that ATOS book level is used for our Dot colors.

The AR-A-Thon is hosted by the SBE Library and our PTO.

2nd-6th grade students receive prizes at the end of each trimester if they exceed their trimester goal.