September - Accelerated Reader Information – SAVE!!
Our class will be formally introduced to the Accelerated Reader Program this week. The purpose of the program is to motivate students to read, read, read! AR is a computerized reading management program where students select and read books of their choice and take tests when finished. The program is set up to be an independent program. That means the students should be reading the books they choose on their own without parental support. The program keeps track of tests taken and points earned. The multiple-choice tests are made up of 5 or 10 comprehension and recall questions. I will be able to review student progress anytime by accessing their file.
Students will be bringing home their Accelerated Reader level today. I am sending a Parent Report of the STAR test that explains reading level (G.E.: Grade Equivalent) and reading range (ZPD: Zone of Proximal Development). We plan on checking out books from the Book Nook, our Second Grade Library, this week and officially beginning our weekly testing. I will guide the selection process during our upstairs Library time as well. Your child will use their reading range (ZPD) to choose a book. This can be confusing at first. I tell them to start at their low end for now and work into the harder levels by the end of the quarter. For example... ZPD is 2.1 - 3.1.... choose a book leveled 2.1, 2.2, or 2.3 for a while and see how quizzes go; then choose books at the higher end of the range, 2.9, 3.0, or 3.1 as comprehension of harder text develops.
During the first quarter, second grade students need to read and pass 1 book per week (the equivalent of .5 point). A student needs to earn an 80% or higher to be considered passing. A student receiving a failing score (below 80%) will need to reread the failed book and retest within a week’s time. A failed test does not count towards the week’s goal. Therefore the student would need to reread and retest (using our classroom pretend name, Spot Weber) and do another book before the end of the week to be caught up.
I try to encourage students to have their test completed by Thursday so that we aren’t scrambling to get it finished on Friday. Recess time on Friday afternoon or the following week will be used for AR if your child falls behind. Many students will complete their weekly goal by reading at school. For some, reading at home may be necessary. Remember, this is an INDEPENDENT reading program.
I will send home a print-out each Monday showing the previous week’s AR test results. Any extra reading will be tracked on our class chart as well. You can help monitor by using the online Home Connect program for AR. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails showing quiz results. Please let me know if you have any questions!! I know that the AR program is a bit overwhelming. Thanks for your help with AR!!
Mrs. Deanna Weber
To log in to Home Connect for AR…
Website: https://Hosted54.renlearn.com/111241/HomeConnect/Login.aspx
User name: first 3 letters of first name and first 3 letters of last name, no spaces
Password: first and last initials
(Example… Ricky Martin ricmar rm )