Accelerated Reader at Harrison Elementary

“Where Readers Succeed”

· Locate information on quizzes available

· View articles from our student written school paper about AR

· Read more about Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader Quiz Availability

For the 2008-2009 school year we will continue to use the Enterprise version of Accelerated Reader (AR) program. It gives students access to over 100,000 quizzes. Every child at Harrison Elementary may access any of these tests on the school library computers or their classroom computers. We no longer have a printed list of AR titles in the school library or public library, due to the length of the document. In order to see what quizzes your child can take, please visit the Renaissance Learning website below. Just type in the title or author and search. You can also do an advanced search for specific AR levels and much more.

http://www.renlearn.com/store/

Once you enter website, click on Quiz Store. While you are not purchasing quizzes, you can search for available quizzes. Try the Advanced search feature to narrow your results.

Parent Information

What is Accelerated Reader?

Accelerated Reader is a computerized reading management program. It is a unique system for motivating children to read and for tracking achievement. Students select and read books of their choice and take computerized tests when they finish reading. Books available at the Harrison Elementary Library range in reading level from emergent readers to twelfth grade level. The program keeps track of all the tests taken and points earned for each participating student. The multiple-choice tests are made up of 5, 10, or 20 comprehension and recall questions. After completing the test, the student is shown how many questions were answered correctly. The program shows the answers for the questions missed and awards reading points to the student’s record. A report is then printed to show test results.

Research supports Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader gives students instant information and reinforcement for their efforts. By basing reading points on three standards (quantity, quality, and reading level), the Accelerated Reader challenges students to achieve and supports a literature-based reading program. Many studies confirm the program’s positive impact on reading scores. Appropriate, independent goals must be set for each student-- goals which will motivate them to reach their highest potential. School-wide recognition will celebrate our achievements and successes. It is up to Harrison Elementary staff, students, and community to foster positive involvement in the program. The Accelerated Reader program is another opportunity for staff and parents to encourage students to read beyond the classroom setting. The focus is on reading and celebrating!

STAR testing

Student reading levels will be initially assessed and periodically updated using the STAR Reading program. This process will give teachers, students, and parents a good idea of the students’ reading level and Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD is a range of books levels. Students should try to choose books within their ZPD range, so that they are practicing reading with books that are "just right" for them, instead of those that are too easy or too challenging. Of course they may read books from outside their range for enjoyment, but most of their reading material should be within their range. (Nonfiction books should be selected .5 to 1.0 below their ZPD, because of difficulty with vocabulary, etc.) Students can find books on their level in their classrooms, the school library, or the public library.

AR Quiz Availability

The Renaissance Place program has been purchased so that all building computers with Internet access can be used for AR. Each student has been issued an account, password, and has access to 100,000 quizzes. Staff members have been given training, and students will be receiving ongoing training, help, and testing opportunities in the classroom. Each time a student takes a test, the results will be maintained at Renaissance. Students and classroom teachers will be able to review the student’s progress at any time by accessing their account.

Reader Success

The most effective help you can give your child is by modeling independent and shared reading and by discussing books and literature in your family. Consistent opportunities to read together each morning, afternoon, or evening will reap academic and emotional benefits. Provide positive reinforcement or praise for your child’s efforts with the AR program. A positive reaction or recognition of the AR books and awards which come home may encourage your child to try some more quizzes. Keep the focus on enjoyment of reading and understanding books, not on accumulation of points.

AR Books

Harrison Elementary has adopted the Accelerated Reader program as a supplement to our current reading program. Therefore AR books are available throughout the building.

· Individual classroom teachers have a library of AR books for their students to choose from and often times the teachers at a grade level combine their libraries into a grade level library. All books in the Harrison Elementary Library that have available AR quizzes are marked with AR stickers. Some of the titles have more than one copy.

· Students are also encouraged to visit the Harrison Branch of The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County located on New Haven Road. Student may sign up for his or her own library card each fall at school or at the library any time. Their staff will be there to assist you in locating appropriate reading materials. Their website address is: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/

· Students may also obtain AR titles form home, friends, or neighbors. If you or anyone you know wishes to donate books that are currently on our AR list, please contact Mr. Ron Mangus, Assistant Principal or Mrs. Vicki Johnson, AR Coordinator.

The program is set so that a student may only take a test on a given book once. All books in the Harrison Elementary Library that have available AR quizzes are marked. Some of the titles have more than copy.

Recognition Programs

Again, the focus of Accelerated Reader at Harrison Elementary is to motivate all of our students to read, read, and read! Active participation and effort are the ultimate goals and assessment tools. Every child is being challenged to participate and to reach his or her highest potential. Teachers will set fair individual goals for each student. Celebrations may occur based upon total school success and whole school participation. Your child should be encouraged to enjoy reading while attempting to make his/her goal, not to worry about competing with others. Student’s names are displayed on the AR Readers Wall outside the library when they join the AR Club by reaching their first point goal. In the classrooms rewards are earned for passing a quiz with a score of 80% or higher. We want everyone to experience joy and success.

Supported by Harrison Elementary PTA and biggs

Harrison Elementary PTA and biggs have been instrumental in providing classroom and school-wide incentives for students. Each month the PTA offers an AR Store at which students can purchase school supplies and fun trinkets with their AR points. The PTA also supports our school-wide rewards. During the previous school years students have enjoyed such school wide rewards such as a popcorn party, movie day, and a pajama party. Several years have concluded with year an outdoor game day and picnic lunch provided by our business partner, biggs. With AR, every student that reads – wins!

Volunteers

Volunteers help make this program a success. Help is always needed. Here are just a few ways you can make a difference in the life of a child:

· Donate books

· Help tag AR books in the school library

· Assist in maintaining class and grade level libraries

· Be a “cashier” for the quarterly AR Store

· Donate school items and incentives for the AR Store

· Help prepare or serve treats at school wide reward events

Year Long School Wide Goals

In the 2006-2007 we earned just over 18,000 points with over 6,000 being earned by sixth grade alone. Hopefully, with our author visit to kick off the year things will go much better this year. Here are the proposed goals.

4,000 – Our fall reward will be a school wide MISMATCH Day for everyone participating in AR Reading. Students and Staff will mismatch everything possible; mismatched clothes, teachers in wrong classroom, staff doing other jobs, weird lunch combinations, hairstyles, and much more. Use your imagination!

9,000 – Our winter reward will be a POPCORN & MOVIE DAY. The PTA will provide popcorn for each student participating in AR reading. Details about when this will occur and how the popcorn will be distributed will be decided at a later date. Movies will be decided ideas about appropriate titles are welcome.

14,000 – No monkeying around, our spring reward will be send the PRINCIPALS to the roof day. The principals will spend the day on the lobby roof, reading! Can they survive?

18,000 – Our final reward for the year will be a FIELD DAY for everyone participating in AR Reading. Possible games being considered are kickball, cornhole, basketball, relay races, and water balloon toss. Students voted heavily for water sports, if you know of someone who could help with water balloon toss or relay race please let me know. We hope that Biggs will once again offer to support the efforts of the students by providing a picnic as they did last year.

Questions?

Contact Mrs. Vicki Johnson, AR Coordinator for Harrison Elementary at Vicki.Johnson@southwestschools.org or 367-4161.