Accelerated Reading Teachers Chatboard

next post

skip topic

Print | Share | Report Post

Re: Scheduling and other tips needed-2nd grade
Posted by good questions on 8/31/08

On 8/31/08, Mrs. M wrote:
> I am fortunate enough to have 5 computers in my classroom
> this year. That's 1 computer for every 5-6 kids. Our
> librarian allows children to check out books every morning
> for 20 minutes. In the past, I've always started with
> writing journals, but I find that the children that go to
> the library, want to come back and read their books right
> away. I have a free choice reading for about 25 minutes in
> the afternoon. I'm wondering if I should switch these times
> around and have kids read and take AR tests for the first
> 30 minutes each day, and then work on journals after
> recess. If I do this, do I allow free choice reading in the
> morning, or should it be specific to AR? Any input and
> advice is welcome.
>
START WITH AR'S ONLY UNTIL KIDS HAVE EARNED A COUPLE OF
POINTS-

> Should I assign 5 children to each computer and allow them
> to take a test whenever they are ready? Or, should I have
> children sign up to take tests, and then use the first
> computer that becomes available?

FIRST COMPUTER AVAILABLE IS THE ONLY WAY THIS WORKS-TRY SIGN
UPS BUT THEY WILL FORGET, SO HAVE THE KIDS TELL WHOEVER IS
NEXT ON THE LIST THAT A COMPUTER IS AVAILABLE.
>
> If a child consistently fails tests, how do you help them
> with the process and keep them motivated?
>
DON'T LET THEM FAIL MORE THAN ONE! FIRST OF ALL, I REQUIRE
MY STUDENTS TO READ THROUGH THE BOOK THREE TIMES. MANY
TIMES THE QUESTIONS ON THE SCREEN ARE HARD FOR THE KIDS TO
DECODE. GETTING THEM TO DECODE, THINK, DECIDE AND CHOOSE AN
ANSWER REQUIRES THEM TO SLOW DOWN AS WELL. MOST OF THE TIME
THEY JUST WANT TO RUSH TO GET DONE. I MAKE MINE FIND THE
ANSWER IN THE BOOK BEFORE ANSWERING A QUESTION TO PROVE TO
THEM THE ANSWER IS IN THE BOOK AND NOT SOMETHING LOGICAL
FROM THEIR OWN LIFE. AFTER FAILING ONCE, LOOKING IN THE
BOOK AND PASSING A FEW TIMES, I CHALLENGE THEM TO LEAVE THE
BOOK CLOSED AND STILL GET 100%. MOST OF THEM CAN DO THAT
HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR

> Do you base any of your reading grades off of AR progress?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! IT IS AN INDEPENDENT READING PROGRAM
SEPARATE FROM GRADING. THEY WILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE ANYWAY,
MAKING IT PART OF THE GRADE IS NOT NECESSARY.

> Do you require children to read AR books for a specified
> time each day/week?

DURING SILENT READING I ENCOURAGE MINE TO WORK ON THEIR AR'S
IF THEY HAVEN'T MET THEIR GOAL.

> I have a broad range of readers - from Kindergarten to 4th
> grade or higher. Do I set up incentives for my children? If
> so, how do I go about this if some are reading long chapter
> books, and others read one or more picture books a day?

THEY ARE EARNING POINTS AT THEIR LEVEL. JUST HAVE REWARDS
SET UP AFTER SO MANY POINTS AT 85% OR ABOVE. I HAVE AN AR
MOUNTAIN THE KIDS WANT TO GET THEIR NAME ON. THERE ARE THREE
LEVELS FOR MEETING THEIR GOALS EACH TRIMESTER. ONCE THEIR
GOAL IS MET, THEIR NAME GOES ON THE MOUNTAIN ON A STICKY
TAG. OUR SCHOOL ALSO GIVES OUT BRONZE, SILVER, AND GOLD
MEDALS, ONE PER TRIMESTER. TO GET THE SILVER, YOU HAD TO
EARN THE BRONZE IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, ETC.
>
> How do I get my higher kids to focus on chapter books, when
> they can get points faster by reading picture books? Or,
> should I not worry about them reading chapter books?
>
IT IS EASIEST TO LET THE HIGHER KIDS GET 1 POINT WITH THE
EASY BOOKS AND THEN REQUIRE THEM TO READ CHAPTER BOOKS. OR
YOU CAN DO A "GET A CHAPTER BOOK DONE, THEN YOU CAN DO A
STORY BOOK" KIND OF TRADE OFF.

> Do you allow lower readers to take more than one test a
> day?
>
AS LONG AS THEY PASS THE PREVIOUS TEST, WHY NOT?

> I would like to start my AR program in about 2 weeks. Any
> advice on how I should introduce the program? Do I start
> slow, or go full throttle from the beginning? Should I read
> a book aloud and then show them me taking a test, or let
> them begin the program on their own?

IF THEY HAVE NEVER DONE THIS PROGRAM BEFORE, YOU NEED TO
WALK THEM THROUGH IT IN SMALL GROUPS. MOST STUDENTS HAVE
MORE TROUBLE WITH OPERATING THE PROGRAM THAN THEY DO READING
THE BOOKS.
>
> Thanks for any input you can give me in any of the areas
> above.


RESPOND TO THIS POST START A NEW THREAD RETURN TO CHATBOARD




Posts on this thread, including this one


• Scheduling and other tips needed-2nd grade, 8/31/08, by Mrs. M.
• Re: Scheduling and other tips needed-2nd grade, 8/31/08, by good questions.