Accelerated Reader
Dear Parents,
Your child will be participating in the Accelerated Reader Program this year. The AR program is a computer based program that, when used correctly, can significantly improve your child’s reading ability.
Your child has been tested on the computer with the STAR test, a multiple choice test designed to evaluate comprehension and vocabulary. Based on your child’s results, a reading range has been assigned to your child. The purpose of this reading range is to ensure that your child selects books that he or she can read independently with ease. This will enable your child to read more without frustration. You will be informed of your child’s results on the STAR reading test in writing. Your child will have his/her reading range posted in the agenda.
Your child will choose books that he or she likes from the media center and begin reading. The book should have a matching quiz available. (Books are marked with a label that includes reading level, interest level, point values, and quiz number. This label is located in the back of the book.) The majority of our books now have quizzes; some do not -- teachers may choose to allow an alternate assignment for these books. Each time your child finishes a book, he or she will take a computerized ten-twenty question quiz on the book. The computer will tell your child his or her score immediately and then will also award points to your child’s account based on that score.
Please help your child set aside 30 minutes each day for reading. If there are books that you wish to get for your child, you may check the links below for books that have the the reading level, point value, and interest area for your child. Use the Destiny link to see if the book is already in our library. Use AR Bookfinder to look at all of the Accelerated Reader books. AR Bookfinder will allow you or your child to search for books and create a "bookbag" of books to read. The bookbag can be printed and brought in to our library, the public library, or a bookstore to help select reading books. For more information about AR Bookfinder, click here. Your child should complete a reading log to document his or her at-home reading. Your child's Language Arts teacher will ask to see the log before he or she will be able to take the AR test.
Please note that as mentioned in the English class syllabus, AR will count as homework. Students will need to meet their individualized goal according to their individual reading range. This information will also be attached to your child’s results on the STAR reading test. AR grades are comprised of AR Tests, points earned according to their reading range requirement, reading logs, and, at the teacher’s discretion, a book report. The grades for these activities are important and not to be taken lightly.
We know that reading is important for your child’s success in school, and we know this program works! Please help us make your child a better reader! Parent involvement is key; to help you stay involved, we now have Parent HomeConnect. Click on the link below, select "parents," and log in using your student's school username and password. In HomeConnect, you can monitor your child's progress with his/her goal. You can even set up an email notification -- the program emails you as soon as your student tests so that you also have near-instant feedback on your child's progress! Keeping up with your child's reading progress has never been easier.
Destiny: ICMS' online library catalog