AR

  • What is Accelerated Reader or AR?

    AR is a tool that provides the students, parents, and teachers with powerful reading practice and information!

    • Provides data to parents and teachers on reading growth

    • Helps monitor and personalize reading practice for each student

    • Encourages independent and challenging reading practice

    • Promotes wide reading and is research-proven to increase vocabulary and reading comprehension

    How does it work?

    Each student takes the STAR reading assessment.

    •  This assessment gives each student a personalized reading practice level, known as the ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)

    • Students set reading goals for themselves.

    • Students choose books that interest them within their ZPD.

    • After reading a book, students take reading comprehension tests AT SCHOOL ONLY!

    •  AR scores the tests, tracks results, and compiles reports. Data is used to monitor progress, guide students to appropriate reading choices, and target instruction.

    What is the ZPD?

    The Zone of Proximal Development is the reading range that your student should be reading in for optimal growth.

    •  Individualized for each student
    • Targets reading material that is neither too hard nor too easy
    •  Reading within the ZPD will result in great gains in comprehension and vocabulary
    •  Will change over time if student focuses reading material within the range.

    How do I find books?

    • Books have a BL, or book level, that tells you the difficulty of the reading material.
    • Books also have points assigned to it. The more difficult the book, the more points awarded for passing that test.
    • Students need to choose books within their ZPD. If a BL does not fall within their ZPD, they may not choose it.
    • If a book does not have a BL labeled on it, the student may go to the AR website and see what level it is.

    AR Book Finder Website

    What do I need to know about taking tests?

    •  Tests may ONLY be taken at school (before school, during D.E.A.R. time, during library time, during free time, during recess time, or after school).
    • Students may use their book during the test.
    • Students earn points for reading and taking tests. Each student will try to meet their individual goal for the trimester by accumulating points and maintaining an average of 85% or better on all tests. (It is highly recommended to read the book carefully and test only when they feel confident of achieving high comprehension scores, as they will ONLY have 1 time to take the test and it could negatively affect their percentage.)

    AR website

    How can I help my child keep track of tests, percentages, and points?

    • Your child can log into AR and look up reports on quizzes taken, goals and points, and vocabulary words learned.

    How many books should my child have at one time?

    • I would recommend only taking and reading up to three books at a time. Any more than that, and I worry for the student’s accuracy and testing proficiency.

    Where can my child get books?

    • Your child can take out books every week (up to 1) from our Fisler library. If your child has an overdue book at home, he/she may not check out a new one until it has been returned. 
    • The public library is another great place to borrow books! Your child will need a library card to check out books.