Accelerated Reader

Independent Reading

Program

As a part of their independent reading, we use the Accelerated Reader program to monitor student progress. This is an online program which allows students to choose the books they like to read and then will quiz them over the content, once they have finished reading the book. As a parent you may wish to read the Accelerated Reader Parent’s Guide if you have The guide is designed to answer your questions regarding this reading program. Your child will be bringing home a letter within the first or second week of school 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 third 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 is an adaptive assessment designed to measure a student’s reading ability but to also provide individualized instruction to encourage reading growth. Theses assessments will take place three times throughout the school year in order to track student growth and performance.

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 independent reading. 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.

AR Grading

AR grades are based on student goals. The goals are determined by the student’s reading level and a variety of other assessments. A student’s AR grade is determined by the student reaching his/her AR goal. A mid-term grade for AR will count as 50 points. This is a grade to encourage students not to wait until the last minute to try and reach their AR goals. 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. Each nine-weeks, students with the most AR points per class will receive an award for their achievement.

AR Links

AR Due Dates

1st Midterm Grade - Sep 13 1st Nine-weeks - Oct 11 2nd Midterm Grade - Nov 15 2nd Nine-weeks - Dec 13 3rd Midterm Grade - Jan 21 3rd Nine-weeks - Mar 06 4th Nine-weeks - May 22

AR Rewards

The first seventh grade student to reach 1,000 AR points will earn a $20.00 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. Any student who earns 500 AR points or more will receive a $10.00 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. Each nine weeks, students have opportunities to win prizes for having the most AR points in their class period or for the entire grade.