Accelerated Reading News
Beginning of the Year Letter
by Cyndi Webster
September 09, 2008
Dear Parents: September 5, 2008
I hope that everyone has enjoyed their summer and ready to get back to school! We are working to make your child’s experience at school a positive one by getting the most out of our programs. Accelerated Reader also known as A.R. is a reading program that motivates children to read. This program will be used from 1st grade to 8th grade. This program is great because students can do this at home not just at school!
During the first week of September your child will take a STAR test during their Computer class. This is a computerized test that students take to measure their reading level. A letter will be sent home that will explain your child’s score. STAR tests will be given three times a year in September, January, and May. This will better illustrate the progress your child has made throughout their school year. Your child will be given a ZPD (zone of proximal development) which is basically a reading range. They MUST read books within this range. If they read books at the upper end, they are challenging themselves to improve their reading level. Example: If you child scores a 3.2 reading level, they are reading on a 3rd grade 2nd month level.
All books will have the reading level and point value written inside the book cover. After a child has read a book, they can take a computerized comprehension test over the story. If they answer all of the questions correctly, they will earn a 100% and all points for the book. If they answer some questions incorrectly, they will get less points and a lower percentage. If they receive a 60% on the test, they will not receive any points.
Every student has a goal to meet for every 9 weeks. Their goal consists of points (every book is worth a certain number of points), and their goal is determined by their reading level. Tests must be passed with an average of 85% mastery. Books must be read within reading level or points will not be counted.
According to the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all students will read on reading level by the year 2013. AR encourages students to read and improve their reading level by reading challenging books. This a tool that motivates children to read. We have many incentives this year to encourage reading. Weekly earners from every classroom are students who either have the most points and/or the most improved reader for the week. They will receive a certificate and their name/picture on the website. Monthly drawings with weekly earners will have an opportunity to eat lunch with their teacher of choice. Quarterly prizes are for those who met their 9 week goal. These students will be awarded with a special party. We are also having a school wide point goal. If all classes K-8 meet a certain point number, there will be a special assembly to reward them. There will be charts outside of the Computer room that will display every class’s top point earners for the week. End of the year drawing are for students who made their AR goal ALL 4 QUARTERS!
Our goal is to encourage reading! Reading is the foundation to all classroom subjects. Every classroom will dedicate 30 minutes a day to silent reading their AR books. Your child should be reading 15-30 minutes every night at home. AR reading is ¼ of your child’s Reading grade. MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) Students will have 20-25 minutes to read during their Study Hall times.
What can you do to help?
Encourage your child to read by giving them a quiet place to read or listening to them read aloud.
Ask them comprehension questions about what they have just read.
This is an overview and explanation of the benefits of the Accelerated Reader Program. This is a wonderful program that increases reading levels and motivates reading! Your classroom teachers will have more information about their certain grade level.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your classroom teacher or me.
Thanks,
Cyndi Webster
