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Accelerated Reader Chatboard

reading

by antoine taylor

May 1, 2015

how do u retake a test it was so easy

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Sad - no AR this year

by Teach3

Apr 13, 2015

Our district would no longer pay for AR this school year. I am so lost without the program. It is impossible to truly, truthfully monitor independent reading comprehension. Wish the district would have listened. :(

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Atttending AR workshop

by Jgator

May 9, 2009

Has anyone attended a workshop by the Renaissance Co.? Was it helpful and worth the money?

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Ima Teacher The one-day seminars are around $180. The two-day ones are best for beginners.

I do 3-hour trainings for middle & high schools for $250 a session, plus cost of materials and mileage.

May 18, 2009

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test On 5/18/09, Ima Teacher wrote: > The one-day seminars are around $180. The two-day ones are best for > beginners. > > I do 3-hour trainings for middle & high schools for $250 a session, > plus cost of materials and mileage.

May 22, 2009

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AR in first grade

by Jill Lisko

May 14, 2009

I teach first grade and use AR in my class. I was just wanting to know how other first grade classes utilize the program in the classroom.

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MBriscoe On 5/14/09, Jill Lisko wrote: > I teach first grade and use AR in my class. I was just > wanting to know how other first grade classes utilize the > program in the classroom.

At our school we do not use the point system yet. Each student in my first grade class has a gumball machine they have colored and is put up in the classroo...See More

Jul 19, 2009

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DON'T POST PROGRESS On 7/19/09, MBriscoe wrote: > On 5/14/09, Jill Lisko wrote: >> I teach first grade and use AR in my class. I was just >> wanting to know how other first grade classes utilize the >> program in the classroom. > > At our school we do not use the point system yet. Each > student in my first grade class has a gumball machi...See More

Jul 22, 2009

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Accelerated Reader

by Denise Ramirez

May 18, 2009

Does anyone know of any fun new ways to get the students to want to take more AR tests? I have 1st grade and most of my lower readers are not motivated at all to take tests.

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mBriscoe On 5/18/09, Denise Ramirez wrote: > Does anyone know of any fun new ways to get the students > to want to take more AR tests? I have 1st grade and most > of my lower readers are not motivated at all to take > tests.

Does your AR program read the questions and answers to the students? This would help to encourage the lower reade...See More

Jul 19, 2009

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open book AR testing

by sixth sense

May 25, 2009

I personally do not let students take AR test with their books. I however have other teachers that do. What is your feelings about this?

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teach4 I do allow them to use their books, and encourage them to use nonfiction books. One of the important skills I am trying to teach my students is looking back for answers, and that they can'y expect to remember everything they learn. I hope this is reinforced by doin well on their quiz. Also have you done some of the fiction quizzes? Sometimes it's a...See More

Aug 7, 2009

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Tonya I totally agree with you. I have taken some tests on fiction books and have not scored a 100% based on a question that asks for a small detail in the story!

Aug 15, 2009

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IMA - I need you assistance please

by Deb ms/IA

May 26, 2009

School wants to dump AR. I have seen my students gain so much over the last 10 years that I don't want it booted. What reports do I present to my administration (namely the super who is greatly opposed to AR) to show proof of growth, goal setting.....? What research can I pull that supports AR in the middle school grades?

If you can help ...See More

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CCC How about buying a notebook and conferencing with your students about the books they're reading? Not expensive and more effective.

On 6/17/09, Deb ms/IA wrote: > Ok my husband just came in and asked if I can purchase > the AR for my own > classroom use? First I can't believe my husband said to > spend our money on school stuff...See More

Jun 18, 2009

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Mary Anne Deb, Our school system is also looking a dropping AR and AM this year because of the cost to the system to subscribe each of the schools. I think our school is going to continue the subscription no matter what the system does because we feel it does help our students.

On 5/26/09, Deb ms/IA wrote: > School wants to dump AR. I have seen ...See More

Jun 19, 2009

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1st yr. teacher and AR

by muffin21

Jun 23, 2009

Hello all! I've been reading some of the AR posts and I can see that there are divided feelings about AR. My situation is this: I will be a first year teacher teaching 8th grade reading. I grew up in a small school district that did not use AR; therefore, I have absolutely no experience with it. The principal basically told me that the school spent...See More

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Tom CTF, you make a very good point. All I am trying to say is that someone can find researched based articles for or against any given product. How can they all be correct or incorrect? They are opinions that have scientific proof to state their case. All I am trying to suggest is do more than just background article research. You each have a mind tha...See MoreCTF, you make a very good point. All I am trying to say is that someone can find researched based articles for or against any given product. How can they all be correct or incorrect? They are opinions that have scientific proof to state their case. All I am trying to suggest is do more than just background article research. You each have a mind that you can use. That is the most powerful tool available to us. Take advise from researched backed programs when SELECTING what to use, but ultimatly, you need to formulate your own hypothesis from that. Have you followed best practices with that software? Were you creative in the use of the software? Did you formulate the software to work for your students?

On 7/01/09, cjf wrote: > On 6/29/09, Tom wrote: >> Safe to say we know what side CJF stands on. The beauty of >> teaching is the fact you do it the way you feel best. There is >> always opinionated people for and against a certain style. I >> base my results on actual use and how I see my students grow, >> not a thesis or controlled group regardless if that research >> came from the company, a book or Donald Duck. Any story good or >> bad can show stats and results of many different sizes and >> control factors to prove their point. In my opinion, you need >> to see what works for youand what works for your students. The >> funny thing about any research paper or book is that they never >> really give you alternate solutions or the pros/cons of them. >> They all point towards their hypothisis or conclusion. So take >> each opinon (Regardless of the form it is published or presented >> in) with a grain of salt. There is no 1 perfect way to teach >> reading. > > Teaching can not be about doing things the way you feel best, it > can only be about what's best for the students. As professionals it > is our responsibilty to make informed instructional decisions based > on research proven practices. We've had too many years of "doing > our own thing". Reading and reflecting upon non-biased, peer > reviewed research isn't really a choice we get to make as > educators, it is what we must do as educators. > Would you want a surgeon to operate on you if he or she isn't > current on best practices. I wouldn't risk my future with a Dr. who > is going to "do things the way it feels best to him", or because > he's confident that he knows enough already and doesn't need to > keep current with the advances made in medicine. > There might not be 1 perfect way to teach, but there are numerous > practices that have been proven to be the most effective, and we > owe it to our students to offer them the best instruction possible, > not what we prefer or feel best about. > Go to Heinneman.com and skim through professional books written > about reading and writing instruction. There really is more to > teaching reading than just doing what works for ya!

Jul 13, 2009

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Carolyn I agree, cjf. I believe it is our duty to remain up to date on current practices and make informative decisions. I think there are too many people out there shilling their wares to educators who accept their products with "blind faith".

I took a workshop this summer, and was all excited about Eric Jensen's Brain Based Learning Theory. Tha...See MoreI agree, cjf. I believe it is our duty to remain up to date on current practices and make informative decisions. I think there are too many people out there shilling their wares to educators who accept their products with "blind faith".

I took a workshop this summer, and was all excited about Eric Jensen's Brain Based Learning Theory. That's the latest concept being sold to educators in in-services (I know, I was one of them). I was just thrilled to learn about it.

It turns out, after doing my own thorough research (as a requirement for this graduate level workshop I attended), that it is pretty much bunk. There is NO evidence to support that educators can use the right-brain, left brain teaching methodologies, because our brains aren't always wired that way. It's too "cut and dry" to say that works.

I DO believe that the brain has two separate hemispheres, which could contribute to us being better skilled in certain endeavors, but after reading the research, even the top notch cognitive psychologists out there (Drs Willingham and Bruer as two examples), say there is no definitive educational teaching methodology out there that can guarantee success in getting students to learn based solely on how their brain functions.

On 7/01/09, cjf wrote: > On 6/29/09, Tom wrote: >> Safe to say we know what side CJF stands on. The beauty of >> teaching is the fact you do it the way you feel best. There is >> always opinionated people for and against a certain style. I >> base my results on actual use and how I see my students grow, >> not a thesis or controlled group regardless if that research >> came from the company, a book or Donald Duck. Any story good or >> bad can show stats and results of many different sizes and >> control factors to prove their point. In my opinion, you need >> to see what works for youand what works for your students. The >> funny thing about any research paper or book is that they never >> really give you alternate solutions or the pros/cons of them. >> They all point towards their hypothisis or conclusion. So take >> each opinon (Regardless of the form it is published or presented >> in) with a grain of salt. There is no 1 perfect way to teach >> reading. > > Teaching can not be about doing things the way you feel best, it > can only be about what's best for the students. As professionals it > is our responsibilty to make informed instructional decisions based > on research proven practices. We've had too many years of "doing > our own thing". Reading and reflecting upon non-biased, peer > reviewed research isn't really a choice we get to make as > educators, it is what we must do as educators. > Would you want a surgeon to operate on you if he or she isn't > current on best practices. I wouldn't risk my future with a Dr. who > is going to "do things the way it feels best to him", or because > he's confident that he knows enough already and doesn't need to > keep current with the advances made in medicine. > There might not be 1 perfect way to teach, but there are numerous > practices that have been proven to be the most effective, and we > owe it to our students to offer them the best instruction possible, > not what we prefer or feel best about. > Go to Heinneman.com and skim through professional books written > about reading and writing instruction. There really is more to > teaching reading than just doing what works for ya!

Aug 12, 2009

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AR rookie

by Dana

Jul 5, 2009

I am a Kindergarten teacher at a school that is entering our 3rd year. I used AR when I student taught and loved it and think it would be great for our students. I have a few questions though. How much does AR cost? We don't have a school library ~ would that be a problem? Do you think it is worth it to purchase? Thanks in advance for your help!

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Penny H On 7/05/09, Dana wrote: > I am a Kindergarten teacher at a school that is entering > our 3rd year. I used AR when I student taught and loved it > and think it would be great for our students. I have a few > questions though. How much does AR cost? We don't have a > school library ~ would that be a problem? Do you think it > is wor...See More

Aug 2, 2009

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V.T. Also, it is recommended that children know at least 100 high frequency words before taking an AR test, so most kindergartners would not be ready for this.

Aug 22, 2009

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Implementating AR school wide

by Ann Pinello

Jul 14, 2009

Does anyone have an implementation plan they are willing to share? How teachers incorporate AR into grading or rewards? Point goals correlated to grade levels? Anything to get us started.

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Renee On 8/12/09, Carolyn wrote: > Question: if all these rewards were removed, no celebrations, no > "nothing", how do you feel the students would feel about AR? > > Shouldn't reading be something that is intrinsically rewarding, > not based on "public displays of celebration"? > > I'm still not understanding how this relates back t...See MoreOn 8/12/09, Carolyn wrote: > Question: if all these rewards were removed, no celebrations, no > "nothing", how do you feel the students would feel about AR? > > Shouldn't reading be something that is intrinsically rewarding, > not based on "public displays of celebration"? > > I'm still not understanding how this relates back to READING > achievement. You're describing POINT achievement. > > Please help me to understand how to use AR to intrinsically > motivate students to become life long readers. That's really the > goal of teaching reading, isn't it? > Carolyn,

I didn't give any rewards last year other than praise and encouragement. Rather than tracking AR points, I tracked total words read. I let the kids know on a regular basis how many words they had read, and I gave them a goal of how many words I wanted them to read. I found that the kids liked seeing that there was a way to track how much they had read all year, and it led many of them to get into reading chapter books on their own for the first time. The nice thing about AR is that you can be certain that the kids are actually using their reading time to read rather than to browse or daydream.

I found that I could push some reluctant readers to get into a book by having a conference about their words read on AR. By the time they read a couple of chapters they would usually be excited to finish the book because they had grown to like it. Eventually I didn't have to push them to read as much, and they started bringing in their own books from home (this is huge considering the low-income community my school is in).

By the end of the year there was a clear correlation between the number of words read and reading benchmark exam scores. Regardless of how they had performed in ELA the year before, the children who got into reading and checking their AR data performed much better than those who did not. I am going to make a bigger push for using AR in class this year. Even if you choose not to give tangible rewards, you can definitely use AR as a tool to help children become excited about reading.

Aug 19, 2009

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Mike Is there really a method to achieve life long readers? I guess I don't think of AR and its goals to achieve life long readers as one in the same. Does AR motivate students to read? Would a student read a book or the number of books or increase theiir literacy without some kind of guidance or software solution? Keep in mind, software solutions are n...See MoreIs there really a method to achieve life long readers? I guess I don't think of AR and its goals to achieve life long readers as one in the same. Does AR motivate students to read? Would a student read a book or the number of books or increase theiir literacy without some kind of guidance or software solution? Keep in mind, software solutions are not end solutions. They just guide you in the practices you want to implement. Its still your mindset on how to utilize the resources you are given. I see tremendous excitement in our school since developing AR, but AR is not my only method for reading comprehension. I look at it like this;

1). Are students reading and learning? 2). Would more students read with or without the software 3). Could my curriculum reading plan which does include AR be the base foundation for potential life long readers?

I cannot help it if a student gets to 9th grade and decides to take up sports over reading. But if my students are reading at a 9th grade level then I have accomplished the foundation. We plant the seed, the student needs to allow it to grow.

On 8/12/09, Carolyn wrote: > Question: if all these rewards were removed, no celebrations, no > "nothing", how do you feel the students would feel about AR? > > Shouldn't reading be something that is intrinsically rewarding, > not based on "public displays of celebration"? > > I'm still not understanding how this relates back to READING > achievement. You're describing POINT achievement. > > Please help me to understand how to use AR to intrinsically > motivate students to become life long readers. That's really the > goal of teaching reading, isn't it? > > On 8/03/09, Samantha wrote: >> On 7/14/09, Ann Pinello wrote: >>> Does anyone have an implementation plan they are willing to >>> share? How teachers incorporate AR into grading or >>> rewards? Point goals correlated to grade levels? Anything >>> to get us started. >> >> I'm a media clerk at a Title I elementary school where grades >> 1-5 participate in AR (about 1,000 students). Each student >> has a folder with a reading log that is a collaboration with >> Guided Reading. Their STAR test is part of library >> orientation. We set the goals based on the STAR test. It >> may seem like a lot of work for us but it makes goals >> consistent across the board. >> >> We have a wall outside the media center where each class has >> their own goal chart. The charts are marked from 10% to 150% >> of goal in increments of 10. When the students "earns" a new >> square, we give them the marker and they go fill it in. I >> print the report and check it once a week just in case we >> miss anyone. >> >> Students who are doing really well, get a great score on a >> tough book, etc. are special guests on the morning >> broadcast. We also have a BB where kids can post >> achievements they are proud of. When our Principal adds a >> new fish to our tank, AR stars have their names put in a >> basket and she draws one to name the new fish. >> >> We have a celebration in the media center at the end of each >> nine weeks for all the students who have made their goal and >> have a average of 80% or better. They are literature based >> with lots of fun activities. We've celebrated Harry Potter, >> Magic Tree House, Roald Dahl, etc. Every student at the >> celebration leaves with a new book. Scholastic Book Fairs >> provides the books as part of our profits. >> >> Another motivator we use: teachers and administration are "in >> the system" and all have a 20 point goal each nine weeks >> (they are on the wall charts, too). Teachers who are >> participating have the highest student participation. >> Students LOVE to see the principal's TOPS report on the BB. >> Teachers who make their goals are invited to the celebrations!

Aug 24, 2009

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