Re: Is A. R. reading only for school/class time?

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Supplemental 'resources', as in "extra BOOKS to read" in addition to the
books that we use for our regular curriculum. Whether or not
the "program" is run correctly at my school does not matter to me. I
can't battle the school's policies/implementation, nor do I wish to take-
on that double-edged sword....A book is a book...and reading is reading...
I never said my school does it perfectly, and we don't pretend to do it
perfectly. We don't even have a librarian! We've had three principals,
all of whom are/were not too concerned about AR. We do it the way we are
told, and the way it is expected to be done by the people who are
assessing US. Can only control what's IN your control. This program is
mandated by my school for use, but not implemented to its fullest
potential. Sounds like a typical School District, huh?

On 11/19/09, to CityTeacher wrote:
>
> So, you are saying that it is perfectly OK to use a program
> incorrectly if you're only using it as a supplement?
>
>
>
>
> On 11/18/09, City Teacher-hands tied wrote:
>> My hands are completely tied. I can't change the goals (we have
>> point celebrations, so I can't arbitrarily raise or lower a point
>> total goal for a student)...I can't order more tests, I can't
>> change what my entire school is doing- whether it is wrong or not.
>> I was simply showing, by example, that every school does it
>> differently. Unfortunately, only the special ed kids get individual
>> goals based on their level. Everyone who is "Grade level" in
>> reading (and above) gets to do the minimum 50 points in 4th grade.
>> For some, it is low, and for others, it is impossible. They do get
>> rewards for going above the point goal....
>> I didn't say it was perfect. I know it is not.
>> My school is not rich- we have not gotten AR tests in YEARS- new
>> books haven't been ordered in 3 years, and we don't keep
>> computerized reading logs, either. Their AR logs are hand written,
>> oftentimes a child's parent NEVER signs the log the entire year....
>> We have workshops for parents about AR and last year ONE parent
>> came (out of a possible 980!). Lots of classes have 35 or more
>> students with one teacher, and the kids are truly needy- for
>> attention, love, and a safe place to spend the day. So, our AR
>> program is not implemented properly. We use it as a supplement.
>> On 11/12/09, Man do some of your schools need training!!!! wrote:
>>> Answers in line....
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/12/09, CityTeacher wrote:
>>>> What grade is your child in?
>>>> In my school, AR is INDEPENDENT reading.
>>> AR is independent reading it can be homework depending on the
>>> age. In most middle schools there is very little time to add 60
>>> minutes to the school day just for reading (60 being the ULTIMATE
>>> amount of reading time a child needs per day). The next
>> goal
>>> time is 30 minutes a day, again that is a tough one to do in most
>>> school schedules. AR came up with 20 minutes a day goal and that
>>> might be doable within the school day. So whatever time a
>>> student doesn't get at school he/she can make up at home. Most
>>> classes get a few minutes at the end of their class(es) here and
>>> there.
>>>
>>>
>>> It is part of
>>>> homework every night. The kids can read in the library and at
>>>> lunch, too, but class time is not for AR reading in my
>>>> school. It could be different in other schools. It is not
>>>> used for a grade, but in my schools, there are rewards for
>>>> kids who meet the monthly goals. LOTS of rewards!
>>>
>>> Many schools DO use it as a grade and skip the rewards,
>>> especially now with budget limits for prizes and limits on food
>>> prizes for health policies. Middle school uses the grades more
>>> than the elementary schools. They grade the goal percentage made
>>> and they grade percentage of passing averages of quizzes. Very
>>> simple and very authentic to student ability.
>>>
>>>> The reading goals that my school uses are the grade level
>>>> minimums suggested by Renaissance Learning, nothing more. In
>>>> Kindergarten= 7 points per year. 1st grade= 20 points, 2nd
>>>> grade is 30 points, and so on.... (I was told these were
>>>> MINIMUMS set by the company, not us. I could have been told
>>>> incorrect information, but that is what I recall from 7 years
>>>> ago, and no one ever said anything differently.) Special Ed
>>>> students have a different goal. It is based on their reading
>>>> level grade equivalent. (a 4th grader reading on a 2nd grade
>>>> level gets to do the 2nd grade goal) We've had 3 principals
>>>> since I began, and none of them has ever changed the goals or
>>>> the method.
>>>
>>> WOW! This is NOT how Ar sets up the goals. Please go to the Ren
>>> Learn or Ren Place program and log in. do a search in the
>>> program for the goal setting chart. It will list the procedure
>>> to set individual goals based on each child's grade equivalent.
>>> There is NO place in AR for goals made for each grade. Each
>>> child needs a goal. This goal can be based on the grade
>>> Equivalent from the STAR Reading test (Another AR product) or a
>>> standardized test score the district already gives (ITBS....).
>>> Then you set the time limit (60, 30, 20 minutes) and you come up
>>> with an individualized goal for EACH child. Very easy to do and
>>> the chart listed on the AR site is very helpful to set these
>>> goals.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Concerned parent why not ask your teacher to see this goal
>>> setting chart from AR and your child's grade equivalent. You can
>>> see the point goal for yourself and come to an agreement with the
>>> teacher.
>>>
>>> It is important for students to have individualized goals based
>>> on their abilities. Setting it low doesn't match all students
>>> abilities. adjustments can be made for reluctant below grade
>>> level readers.
>>>
>>> This program is to get children reading, setting goals, meeting
>>> goals, monitoring progress, monitoring comprehension, expanding
>>> vocabulary keep a computerized reading log...... Lots for this
>>> program to do if run correctly!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 11/08/09, Concerned Parent wrote:
>>>>> Please clear something up for me. Should my elementary
>>>>> aged child have to read for A.R. outside of the classroom?
>>>>> It is not for a grade. I think the teacher has given way
>>>>> too many points as a goal, and I don't think my child
>>>>> should be expected to get 19 points in a school quarter.
>>>>> She would have to do some reading at home to accompish this
>>>>> (I feel) and I don't think that is how the program is
>>>>> supposed to work. Am I wrong? Also, wouldn't it be better
>>>>> to give kids lower points goals so more kids can earn a
>>>>> reward??? Isn't this program about helping kids feel
>>>>> successful?
 

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