accelerated reader
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Accelerated Reader
Best Classroom Practices Overview
Kings Mountain Middle
What is Accelerated Reader?
Software program to manage reading practice Designed for the teacher to monitor the
students’ progression Uses short quizzes to check comprehension of
books read Stores data and provides reports on reading
quantity and quality Helps teachers monitor daily practice and plan
instruction Teachers act on the data to help students
improve comprehension and ability to ready
Primary Goal: Improve Reading
Accelerate growth in reading ability
Foster a love of reading in all students
Enable daily monitoring of reading progress
Improve test scores
Notes AR provides more
“practice” at the skill that we want to improve.
Look for every opportunity to tell students that AR is something you do at school.
At the same time, encourage reading of AR and non-AR.
When we practice,
sometimes we hit the target and
sometimes we do not!
Accelerated Reader Provides the Missing Information
Tier 1 – Teaching/Learning Reading Skills as a part of the Standard Course of Study
Tier 2 –Daily Progress Monitoring and Practice (AR)
Tier 3 – Periodic Progress Monitoring (Star Testing)
Tier 4 – Annual High-Stakes Test (EOG)
Progress Monitoring is a daily process that involves the teacher and the student.
AR – Daily Monitoring
Teach Reading Skills in SCOS
Star Testing
EOG
What happens in an AR classroom? Guided Reading Practice – There must be time
for GRP. – Preferably 45 min/day at school Immediate Feedback Daily progress monitoring and guidance from
the teacher Goal-setting Motivation – should emphasize averages and
not points
Carrot = Realistic goal for each individual student, the ability to read what
they are interested in, …
Common AR Terms
ZPD – zone of proximal development – book level range appropriate for students’ reading level – range of materials that are likely to give success and growth
ATOS – readability level via text difficulty – word length, sentence length, leveled vocabulary
Notes ZPD – Open it up but do not move it up! Allow
flexibility and opportunity. Use mid-year star test to open the range. Use it primarily to check for growth. At the end of the grading period, students should average within the ZPD range. This allows for reading material above and below their suggested reading level.
Students should not have to quiz on every book that they read! Forcing a student to test on a book just because they have checked it out is not recommended. Students should be allowed to test within 24 hours of finishing a book if at all possible!
Reading Logs
Help students keep track of practice
Help teachers monitor progress
May serve as a library pass Allows for communication Students can’t test without a
teacher signature
Status of the Class Teacher : Student Daily Reading Progress – show interest,
monitor to assess readiness to quiz Incorporate comprehension strategies
when conferencing – 5 finger book talk with a classmate, folders with short activities, story maps, journaling, etc.
Follow-up with the student after testing – TOPS report – Use it as a talking point
Points Measure practice Measure reading difficulty Quantity Goal-setting
Points should not be the focus! 85% is the focus while working toward 100% of the goal!
Create an AR Team and Flexible, Accessible Library
What is the mission? Setting goals, determining desired outcomes
Who owns the mission? Key players
Supporters of AR – principal, coordinators (district, campus, technology), library media specialists, teachers
Team Roles Principal – lead, build consensus,
facilitate Coordinators – train, monitor
program handle technology issues
Library Media Specialist – build school wide culture of literacy
Teachers – act as primary student contact
Team Objectives Meet regularly (at least monthly) –
set monthly and yearly goals Create an implementation plan Review reports Plan professional development Keep school and community informed Encourage Classroom and Library
certification
Librarians Need Support
Ensure that everyone is trained
Track circulation statistics Communicate needs to
community and committee Evaluate current procedures
and determine library goals
What happens in an AR library?
Support reading practice and student goals
Provide easy access to books Acquire books and quizzes to match
ZPD, interests, instructional needs Assess collection and respond to
changing needs
Benefits of Flexible Schedule
Students have easy access to books
Library becomes literature-based learning center
A team is developed among library staff, teachers, and administrators
Other notes…Test within 24 hours of finishing a book – This may
mean that students need opportunities to test in other subject areas/classes.
Grades – should reflect that this is the practice portion of your reading program
Suggestions – Take a grade for average and a grade for percent of goal achieved
Goals and ZPD ranges are not written in stone! The teacher can adjust these as needed to ensure success. Students should take ownership in the goal setting process. The teacher sets goals with the students during conferencing at the beginning of the year.
Other notes…
Limit tangible rewards Teachers teach reading AR is the independent practice portion
of your reading program! Teachers need support from other
content areas! Students can take notes on nonfiction
books with them to the computer
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