Accelerated Reader Chatboard

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Sheila Try the website bookadventure.com and you can take similar tests, but not exactly the same as the AR tests.

On 11/03/09, Christine wrote: > My daughter is a 3rd grader who loves to read and has > excellent comprehension of what she reads. Her problem is > when she is trying to take the tests. She seems to over > think the quest...See More

Nov 3, 2009

Books on tape

by KEB

Nov 4, 2009

Is it ok if kids take these AR tests after LISTENING to the book on a tape?:

Student Made UP AR tests

by Linda Houston

Nov 5, 2009

Our school has students that read a book and make up AR tests as low as 3rd grade through 8th grade. Some of the questions are ridiculous! As a parent, I read a book at the 3.8 level and could not even answer the test. What are other thoughts on this being done. Do other schools do this? Thanks for your help!

Elizabeth Some of our gifted and avid reader students make tests for books. Students are given test-writing guidelines. There are no "ridiculous" questions. The tests are always checked by a teacher before being used with the program.

If inappropriate tests are being used, that is the teachers' fault.

On 11/05/09, Linda Houston wrote: >...See More

Nov 7, 2009

an appropriate test. nm On 11/07/09, Elizabeth wrote: > Some of our gifted and avid reader students make tests for > books. Students are given test-writing guidelines. There > are no "ridiculous" questions. The tests are always checked > by a teacher before being used with the program. > > If inappropriate tests are being used, that is the teachers' >...See More

Nov 21, 2009

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

by Concerned Parent

Nov 8, 2009

lease 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) ...See More

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view previous comments

to CityTeacher 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 or...See MoreSo, 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?

Nov 19, 2009

City Teacher 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.....See MoreSupplemental '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?

Nov 19, 2009

AR Test

by Cary

Nov 9, 2009

My first grade class is driving me crazy! I need help. They are all hovering over my two computers to take AR tests. Do you have a cool way to manage them taking tests so they aren't constantly asking may I take a test and hover over the computer? HELP!! C

sergio c On 11/09/09, Cary wrote: > My first grade class is driving me crazy! I need help. They > are all hovering over my two computers to take AR tests. Do > you have a cool way to manage them taking tests so they > aren't constantly asking may I take a test and hover over > the computer? > HELP!! > C hello my name is sergio c and im ...See More

Nov 9, 2009

teach4 How about letting them take a number? You could use sticks or notecards with numbers on them, when they are ready to test they can go take the next number and then go sit and work on something else. They could even sign on a sheet next to the number and the student on the computer could look to see who is next in line and quietly tell the next numb...See More

Nov 14, 2009

AR books to start library

by Mrs. Moore

Nov 9, 2009

Hello teachers, I am currently completing my student teaching experience in a fourth grade classroom. I am very interested in beginning my future classroom library with AR level books for the students to choose from. Does anyone have any suggestions for obtaining free books that meet the AR requirements? Perhaps there are slightly used books at a r...See More

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marie Garage sales! After you start teaching, send home the books orders and you get lots of free books from those over time. Put books on your classroom wish list and parents sometimes buy some for your classroom.

On 11/09/09, Mrs. Moore wrote: > Hello teachers, I am currently completing my student > teaching experience in a fourth grade ...See More

Nov 10, 2009

A.R.Goal Setting Chart

by Teacher

Nov 13, 2009

Are the goals on the AR goal setting chart maximum points that should be set, or minimum? Or should you set the points EXACTLY at what it says? Someone knowledgeable please answer this!!

(1)

The chart is guideline The chart works great for average and above average readers but your reluctant and sped student readers need even more adjusted goals until they become more successful readers. Adjust it to meet their goals.

Nov 13, 2009

STAR testing

by teach4

Nov 14, 2009

I would like to know more about this. Does anyone have a link to information on the site for this? Thanks for any help.

Gregg On 11/14/09, teach4 wrote: > I would like to know more about this. Does anyone have a > link to information on the site for this? Thanks for any > help.

[link removed].

Nov 16, 2009

Jackie That is the test I use to determine my students ZPD's and reading range.

Nov 19, 2009

AR charts

by Susan Carpenter

Nov 16, 2009

Does anyone have any great charts they have made or used to show AR that would work in a Data Folder?

I am in need of some opinions. My son is in the 7th grade this year. I also teach elementary school, so I know a little about AR. This year my son's language arts teacher is requiring the students to read 15 pages a night Mon - Thursday, 60 pages a week. While this does not bother me, children should read because it makes for better readers and com...See More

HELP WITH AR PROBLEM

by concerned parent and teacher

Nov 17, 2009

Elizabeth There is nothing "voluntary" about the program. Some schools run incentive-based programs, but most middle and high schools use it as a grade. And that's OK with AR rules as well.

It is a grade for students in grades 5-8 here, but it is only done in-school. The outside reading is voluntary.

On 11/17/09, concerned parent and teac...See MoreThere is nothing "voluntary" about the program. Some schools run incentive-based programs, but most middle and high schools use it as a grade. And that's OK with AR rules as well.

It is a grade for students in grades 5-8 here, but it is only done in-school. The outside reading is voluntary.

On 11/17/09, concerned parent and teacher wrote: > I am in need of some opinions. My son is in the 7th grade > this year. I also teach elementary school, so I know a > little about AR. This year my son's language arts teacher is > requiring the students to read 15 pages a night Mon - > Thursday, 60 pages a week. While this does not bother me, > children should read because it makes for better readers and > comprehension practices. (This is his Language Arts teacher, > by the way) This part does bother me, he has been told > since students are not reading their Accelerated Reading > books they are to read and document 60 pages per week. From > now on, she will check the students AR logs for documenation > of the reading. She will conference with them to determine > if the reading actually occurred. She will count this > assignment as part of the weekly homework grade. NOW, for > a child who is ADD, he has Social Studies, reading homework, > which consists of reading a story in his textbook and > answering questions, some type of Science homework or > studying for a quiz in, and also math homework (which he > does struggle in)Also, this LA teacher gives nightly > homework of some type also. We spend several hours a night > doing homework and studying for test. By the time, we are > finished, he needs to eat and take a bath. This leaves very > little time for his brain to relax a few minutes before he > goes to bed. Do you feel this is a very fair practice? > Should AR reading be counted toward his weekly homework > grade. (Which by the way, he always has his written > homework, which is a 100, but figure in a couple of 0's and > his grade is....... well you can guess, bombed out! I > thought AR is voluntary. HELP!

Nov 17, 2009

Is there an IEP? If your child has ADD, you should be able to qualify for special services through an IEP or 504 program. That could allow for extended time or reduced assignments. It could make things more manageable.

Nov 17, 2009