Re: AR Program overview needed
Posted by not an independent program on 8/06/08
The biggest hurdle I have had as a teacher forced to use the
AR program is to completely forget the idea that AR is an
independent program. There are issues with test format you
have obviously run across. The questions are knowledge
based which is the lowest form of reading comprehension.
Necessary skill, yes, an all inclusive program, no. Also,
depending on where your DD tested to place in the program,
her ZPD could be higher than her interest level based upon
her age. That is a problem when the length and subject
matter of books within her ZPD do not correspond to her
interests or reading stamina. Imagine having to read a long
chapter book and remember minute detail in order to pass a
test that is part of your grade going on your report card.
If your child has any sort of attentional issues whether
diagnosed ADHD or not, this program will frustrate them to
no end. This is a program with issues you need to discuss
with your child's teacher and perhaps principal if you are
still unsure of the intent of the program.
Many teachers and schools use the program to satisfy
independent reading requirements because it does not require
parents to sign reading logs verifying at home reading.
What these teachers and schools fail to do is properly train
the students and parents on the intent and procedures for
using the program until students are hopelessly behind in
the program and frustrated with reading in general.
When you have your meeting with your DD's teacher and/or
principal, keep in mind that if they cannot adequately
explain the program, its purposes and procedures and you get
the impression they are using it to "babysit" independent
reading rather than teach needed skills, please challenge
them on the purpose of the program and insist your child not
be required to participate or be graded in any way from it.
That is the only way some educators will learn to use the
program correctly, not punitively and your DD will not have
to relearn to love reading once out of middle school.
On 7/29/08, Confused parent wrote:
> Can someone share an overview of how this program is
> designed with me? My DD used this program for the first
> time last year in 6th grade, but had a first year teacher
> who was unfamiliar with the program. I understand from
> what I've read here that students take tests on the books
> they've read, but students don't discuss the books before
> testing. Is this the design of the program? DD has
> expressed frustration with these tests, saying that the
> questions are picky detail-oriented, like "What spell did
> Hermoine use to freeze the pixies in mid-air?" rather than
> comprehension questions such as "Why did Professor ______
> release the pixies into the classroom?" from Harry Potter
> 2. I would like to be able to understand the intended use
> of the program better, so as to be able to help DD.
>
> TIA!
Posts on this thread, including this one
- AR Program overview needed, 7/29/08, by Confused parent.
- Re: AR Program overview needed, 7/29/08, by Ima Teacher.
- Re: AR Program overview needed, 8/06/08, by honored.
- Re: AR Program overview needed, 8/06/08, by not an independent program.
- Re: AR Program overview needed, 8/27/08, by Liza.
- Re: AR Program overview needed, 8/27/08, by Ima Teacher.
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