Accelerated Reader Program and Policies

The Unity Junior High Language Arts team considers personal, outside-the-classroom reading an important component of a student’s education. To monitor and assess students’ practice and engagement in outside novels and nonfiction books, we have implemented Accelerated Reader, an online testing program, where students take a short multiple-choice quiz after each book he or she has read. Each quiz is worth a specified number of points based on the reading level and length of the book. Students can choose from a vast array of novels and nonfiction books available on the Accelerated Reader database. However, students should check if a book has an online quiz before reading it since occasionally a quiz is not available.

The purpose of AR is to encourage students to read both in and out of the classroom. This will be a 50 point grade at the end of each quarter and is just like any other grade in the grade book.

Students will need the following points each quarter:

7th grade: 16 points

Students will receive 50 points per quarter for meeting their point level. If the point goal is not met, the student will receive a portion of the 50 point grade based upon how many points they earned. For example: If a 7th grader earned 8 points for a quarter, they would receive 25 out of the 50 points for the end of quarter AR grade.

Students will be allowed to test on class novels as well as those they read on their own.

Students can earn extra credit each quarter by reading more than their assigned points. If a student earns 5 or more points over the required amount, they will receive 5 points extra credit on the AR grade for that quarter.

In addition to the extra credit, if a student has at least 5 points over the required amount, they will qualify for a quarterly library reading incentive.

In order to take a quiz, students MUST have their book with them. If the book was read on a tablet or other device at home, a parent note stating the book title can take the place of the book. Students must show the book to either Mrs. Wickline or their ELA teacher to take a quiz. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Students can take quizzes before school in their homeroom, but they must first still ask permission and show their book to their ELA teacher ESPECIALLY if their homeroom is not with their ELA teacher. Students can also take quizzes in their ELA classroom.

Because AR is such an essential part of students’ educational process, we strongly encourage all parents and family to help your students earn these points. We know of parents who have read with their children to encourage them or who have quizzed students to ensure they understand the storylines of books. Please feel free to contact us if you want some strategies to help your child with outside reading.

Hilary Reinhart

reinharth@unity.k12.il.us