Bayvale Elementary School

First…

 1) Only strong readers can succeed in AR. TRUE or FALSE

 2) A student's ZPD represents their:  a. Zone of Physiological Development  b. Zodiac for Planet Distribution  c. Zone of Proximal Development  d. Zest for Population Degradation

 3) If a student does not achieve the same reading level as the rest of the class they will not be able to reach their AR goals. TRUE or FALSE

 4) As a general rule, the students who read the least amount per day will end up having very different outcomes than those who read the most each day. TRUE or FALSE

 5) The goal of implementing the AR Program is to create a highly competitive school atmosphere. TRUE or FALSE

 1) False – Individual goals make it possible for students at all reading levels to succeed.  2) c. Zone of Proximal Development  3) False – Again, students have separate, tailored goals to fit their personal ZPD.  4) True – Success in AR requires effort.  5) False – It is meant to help students improve their reading skills and to provide them with a sense of accomplishment.

What is AR? Reading Time Access to Books Motivation ZPD Teacher’s Role Family Involvement Home Connect

 Accelerated Reader is a software program (or tool) that helps you manage reading practice, monitor daily progress, and plan instruction.  It is an individualized reading program created to improve each student’s reading skills and to increase reading enjoyment.

 Accelerate growth in reading ability  Foster a love of reading in all students  Enable daily (or weekly) monitoring of reading progress

Introducing…

 Renaissance Learning recommends that elementary school children have 60 minutes of independent reading time each day.  Most schools who participate in AR allow their students 30 minutes of independent reading time during each school day.  Younger/ more emerging readers should have at least 30 minutes of read to/ read with time.

 Greatest single motivator to get students to read is to give them time to read at school.  Each school should allow students time to read independently each day. (D. E. A. R.)  Time spent in Read To and Read With activities. Builds phonetic awareness and familiarity with books.

B ayvale E lementary A ccelerated R eaders B e E xcited A bout R eading or B ayvale E lementary A wesome R eaders or

 The more access students have to good books, the more they will be motivated to read.  School Media Center  Public Library  Classroom Book Collection  Books from Home  Books Shared or Traded with Friends

 Provide students with the greatest possible variety of books to read at every level.  The wider the selection the better the chance students will find books they are interested in reading.  Give students the chance to help choose some new books so when they come in they are ready to read.  Student/ Teacher Wish List in the Media Center

Motivation

 When we experience success with an activity, it reinforces our self-esteem and give us a chance to demonstrate our mastery to other.  AR tests are written to be mastered easily by any student who has read the book with comprehension.

 Accelerated Reader motivates students to read in the same ways that games motivate children to play them.  Points are awarded based on the quality, quantity, and difficulty level of the student’s performance.  Students receive immediate feedback.  Objective questions and computer- based testing ensure fairness.

Zone of Proximal Development

 The key to the increased growth in reading comprehension is maximizing the amount of reading practice a student performs within his “ Z one of P roximal D evelopment”  ZPD is the zone in which the student is both challenged and presented new vocabulary, but also in which there are enough context clues that the child can construct meaning without being frustrated.

 The process of training students to know their own reading levels, and to use them to select books that help them meet their reading goals, is a tremendous way for teachers to empower students.  It helps develop responsibility while providing students with a feeling of control over their learning and their lives.

Level 1 Level 2Level 3 Level 4 Level 5Level 6

 Setting individualized student achievement goals allows the teacher to tailor expectations to the student’s ability.  You allow every student to feel a sense of success and accomplishment.  There are at least four goals for each student:

 Number of points to be achieved during that term.  The average percent of correct answers on book test.  The average book reading level  The progress toward the next appropriate level of Reader Certification.  Determined by the STAR Test

 Set Goals based on Student Reading Level (Star Test).  Review progress weekly using the Diagnostic Report.  During reading time allow students to read or take quizzes.  Quizzes can also be taken in the Media Center or Computer Lab.

 A score of 100% does not mean a quiz is too easy.  If a student scores 100% 3x or more at top of range, broaden range up.  If a student scores <85% 2 or more times broaden range down.  Remember: we want to see the zone move up throughout the year!

 Students keep a log of the title of the book, the level of difficulty, and how many pages he has read since the day before. The resulting log is a huge motivator.  Lets them see a daily record of achievement.  Checking the log daily provides accountability. Allows the teacher to focus on students who are not reading enough or inappropriate books, and allow for quick adjustments.

 Your role is to help students know their individual reading levels and find the reading level information on AR books, so students can make judgements about whether or not to select a given book to read.

 The parent's role in AR is to create time for reading practice at home.  Depending on the age and reading level of the student, minutes of reading time each day can go far in strengthening the reading abilities of a child.

 Students need to improve reading stamina as well as reading ability. There are plenty of ways to count the reading in AR.  Children can read with or to family members, siblings, friends or babysitters; and, they can read independently.  We encourage parents to question students about the books that they read in order to help them prepare for the AR tests.

For Those That Reach Their Goals…