Gloria Floyd Accelerated Reader

School-Wide Incentive Program

 

What is the Accelerated Reader (AR) program?
Accelerated Reader is a computer program which allows students to take quizzes on books they have read.  Students receive instant feedback in the form of a percentage correct score.

Why should my child participate?
Studies show that the best way to increase reading ability, fluency, and comprehension is by practicing the act of reading itself. Improvement is most noticeable when practice is within the child's reading level zone.

What is my child's "reading zone"?
The "Zone of Proximal Development" (ZPD) refers to the ideal reading level range within which your child should select books. It provides just the right balance of challenge and ease of reading independence.

How is my child's reading level determined?
Your child will take the Standard Test of Achievement in Reading (STAR), which determines a grade level equivalent. For example, a level of 2.6 means that on this test, your child read and answered questions at the level of an average student in the sixth month of second grade.

How can I determine if a book falls within my child's Reading Zone? 
Many of the books from our school library are marked with the reading level and point value inside the book.  You can get a list of AR titles and test available at the school library by visiting our website at gloriafloyd.dadeschools.net  and clicking on the Media Center link.

How does the point system work?

Points are assigned to each AR book based on its length and level of difficulty. Students earn points based on their percentage correct on each quiz.  Our students will be rewarded for the points they achieve.

What are the rewards for the AR program?

Students will be able to earn rewards based on the number of points they earn throughout the school year.  Below is the chart which explains each category:

Levels	Incentive	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5
Bronze	Name on AR Bulletin Board	10	15	20	25	30
Silver	Picture on AR Bulletin Board	20	30	40	50	60
Gold	Prize from Media Center	30	45	60	75	90
Platinum	Personalized “Read” Poster	40	60	80	100	120

 

Why would my child fail an AR quiz?
Perhaps s/he read the book too quickly, or was not concentrating while reading. Maybe the book was near the high end of his/her reading zone. If the book was a lengthy one, and s/he took a long time to finish the reading, details of the book may have been forgotten. You can help by encouraging your child to try another book. Another idea to help children recall details in chapter books is to have the child write a quick sentence that summarizes the major happenings in each chapter on Post-It notes.

I know my child can read more difficult books than this. Can s/he take quizzes on books above her zone?
AR quizzes are designed to test students on details found in the book. When a student is reading a book with a level that is above his or her ability level, s/he may be concentrating more on decoding harder words and sentences, and may lose the underlying meaning of the text. Of course, motivation does play a part in comprehension, so students may take quizzes on books that are above their reading zone. 

Can my child take tests on books that are below his or her reading zone?  
We all love to read books that are at our interest level. Some of these books are easy for us to read, and that is ok. To grow as a reader, however, children should challenge themselves with books that contain more difficult text. Students are allowed to take tests that are below their reading level, but we should be a bit concerned if a child is reading a great number of "easy" books, simply to accumulate AR points. That would defeat the purpose of AR, which is to motivate kids to grow as readers. If a student is falling into this pattern, a teacher will most likely counsel him/her regarding book choices.

What can I do to help with Accelerated Reader? 
Encourage reading at home each night.