Setting Goals and Motivating Students with Accelerated Reader Elizabeth Curtis, Principal Vera Hammer, Resource Specialist

Why Set Goals? Motivate students Individualize reading practice Encourage self-directed learning Improve skill development

Setting Goals with Independent Readers Use Student Reading Plan and Goal-Setting Chart Ask yourself, “Does this student need success or challenge?” Confer with students Enter goals in Accelerated Reader software

Student Reading Plan Minimum average percent correct Points vs. Word Count Minimum average book level Additional goals (Non Fiction; Author Variety) Commitment to goals Reader certification goal

Student Reading Plan

Goals for Primary-Grade Readers Independent Reader certification Other certification levels help advance readers from picture books to chapter books Point goals –1 point per week in kindergarten –1.5 points per week in first grade

Goals for Independent Readers Emphasize comprehension over book level Focus on broadening reading experiences Encourage students to not only to read well but to be well-read (i.e. Science, Biographies, History)

Reading Certification Levels Ready Reader Accumulate 5 points through any combination of Read To and Read With Independent Reader Read independently and pass Reading Practice Quizzes for: 3 books 1.2 book level or higher Accumulate 10 points (includes points for the 3 books at 1.2+ book level; other points may be for Read To and Read With). Rising Reader Read independently and pass Reading Practice Quizzes for: 3 books 1.6 book level or higher Accumulate 10 points in independent reading (includes points for the 3 book at 1.6 book level or higher) Super Reader Read independently and pass Reading Practice Quizzes for: 3 books 2.0 book level or higher Worth 1 point or more each

Reading Certification Levels Advanced Reader Read independently and pass Reading Practice Quizzes for: 3 books 3.0 book level or higher Worth 2 points or more each Star Reader Read independently and pass Reading Practice Quizzes for: 3 book 4.0 book level or higher Worth 4 points or more each Classic Reader Read independently and pass Reading Practice Quizzes for: 3 book 6.0 level or higher Worth 7 points or more each Honors Reader Read, pass Reading Practices Quizzes and accumulate 100 point for books from a list of challenging, teacher-selected literature

Monitor Progress with Reports Print and review the Diagnostic Report weekly to monitor student progress toward goals. Look for: 85 percent average or higher (% Correct) 10 percent or less at risk (Summary) Less than 10 percent with average percent correct below 85% (Summary)

Diagnostic Report

Why Set Classroom Goals? Motivate all students, especially reluctant achievers Focus individual efforts toward success for the entire class Foster cooperation and team environment

Classroom Teams and Goals Teacher divides class into small-group teams –Each team should have strong, average, and weak readers –Students choose a team name Set goals –Average percent correct –Points Teams meet periodically to check members’ progress and encourage one another

Motivators for Individual Students Reading plan Certification levels Pizza/ice cream party Million-word reader Reading wall of fame

Motivators for Your Class Teams Percentage clubs Certification levels Million-word classroom Class party

Motivators for Your School Tournaments Posting teacher data Parent club Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Family reading night School certification store

Thank You! Questions and Discussion