© 2020-2021 OMS Literature 7th Grade
Accelerated Reader
Independent Reading Program
As a part of student independent reading, the Accelerated Reader program will
be utilized to monitor student progress. This is an online program which allows
students to choose books they enjoy to read. To monitor reading
comprehension, a multiple choice quiz will be completed following completion
of the book with AR points awarded based on the quiz outcome.
Parents may wish to read the Accelerated Reader Parent’s Guide if you have
questions regarding this reading program. Your child will be bringing home a
letter entitled the “Home Connect” which will contain the login information you
and your child can use to check your child’s progress with Accelerated Reader.
From your personal electronic device, you will be able to check your child’s AR
progress; however, your child will not be able to take AR quizzes outside of the
school or after school hours.
Independent Reading Homework
Students should be reading their independent reading material on an average
of twenty minutes per day or 140 minutes per week. As students complete a
selected AR book, they should then take the corresponding AR quiz. Students
will be expected to have their AR books with them at school throughout the
day. Many teachers will have extra time at the end of a period in which students
will be expected to read. Students who come to my class without their reading
material can expect to receive a tardy if they have to go to their lockers in order
to get a book. We are scheduled as a class to have library time once a week so
students will have plenty of library access time. Students will have also have
opportunities to go to the library during their Warrior Time. Students can also
go to the library in the morning after 7:30 a.m. until the first bell to use the
resources as needed.
ReadWorks
Beginning with the second nine-weeks, some students will no longer be
assigned Accelerated Reader texts, but will be required to complete literature
passages through the ReadWorks website. This online reading program will
allow me to align passages to meet a student’s specific area of weakness.
ReadWorks’ assignments are generally short in length and cover all genres with
10 questions included for each specific passage. These questions are similar to
the type of questions students will have on the State Assessment. Usually three
of the ten questions will have the students compose and type a response which
must include text evidence and be a complete sentence. Each passage can then
be graded according the student’s ability to respond to close reading of multiple
choice questions as well as typing a well-composed student response. Grades
will be determined by each passage’s total points. Since there are 10 questions
per passage, each passage will have a total of 10 points. Most weeks will have
two passages required, so the ReadWorks’ assignment will be worth 20 points
per week. I will add together the two passages scores. Students who choose to
not complete their assigned ReadWorks passages will receive a lunch detention.
The best method of improving one’s reading skills is to read.
i-Ready Diagnostics
To assess student reading achievement, we will be using an online diagnostic
tool known as i-Ready. In the past we have used the STAR test, but we are
moving to i-Ready to be consistent with the younger grade levels. You can find
more information regarding this program by clicking on this link: Parent Guide.
The i-Ready program is an adaptive assessment designed to measure a
student’s reading ability but to also provide individualized instruction to
encourage reading growth. These assessments will take place three times
throughout the school year in order to track student growth and performance.
AR Links
AR Due Dates
1st Nine Weeks - Oct 09 - Midterm Sep 16
2nd Nine Weeks - Dec 11 - Midterm Nov 20
3rd Nine Weeks - Mar 05 - Midterm Feb 05
4th Nine Weeks - May 21 - Midterm Apr 23
AR Grading
AR grades are based on student goals. The
goals are determined by a student’s reading
level and other assessments. A student’s AR
grade is determined by the student reaching
his/her AR goal.
Each nine weeks an AR grade will be given
which will count as 100 points. This grade
reflects the student’s AR goal. Students who
have achieved more points than their required
AR goal may receive up to and including 30
extra- credit points each nine-week grading
period.
A mid-term grade for AR will be given to
encourage students not to wait until the last
minute to try and reach their AR goals.
Midterm grades will be based on a student
attempting to reach about half of their
expected AR goal. If a student has a goal of 10
points by the end of the 9 weeks, then their
midterm goal should be to reach about 5
points or demonstrate reading a book which
will ultimately provide all required points.
Each nine-weeks, students with the most AR
points per class will receive an award for their
achievement.
Audio Books
Unless there is a specific reason for using
audio books at school, it is not recommended
that students use them for their independent
reading at school. For those students who are
struggling with reading, audio books can be a
great resource. Unfortunately there are those
students who use the audio book as an excuse
to use their electronic devices for other
purposes other than just reading. Since
students are provided independent reading in
all their classrooms, teachers would prefer all
students to have hard copy books with them
during designated independent reading time. It
is imperative that students learn to improve
their reading skills including the use of a hard
book. Students may certainly use audio books
for independent reading outside of school.
FYI - During testing, students are not permitted
to use any electronic devices which prevents
the use of audio books.