Please read . . . an AR post.

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Please read . . . an AR post.

by innocent bystander

Jan 8, 2010

If you have a gripe with AR, that's fine and dandy. Gripe away.

However, this is a board to be used by people who want to learn more about the AR program and how to use it properly.

I really don't care when people show up with complaints, but be willing to work to correct it.

Don't argue with the people who know how to run the program. Deb ms/IA and Ima Teacher both have years of experience with the program and the proper training to help it work. They have both been willing to give FREE training tips. And Ima Teacher is even a certified trainer, and she gets PAID to go to schools and train staff.

Both know their stuff, and all they get here is grief. Arguing about how the program is supposed to be run with the people who know how to run it just makes you look ignorant. If your school paid for you to go to a training by Renaissance Learning, would you argue with their presenters, too? Would you rant and rave and call names and tell them that they do...See More

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Marie You are obviously a great dad who is concerned about his kids and active in their education, but it did sound like you were complaining that your son has to read at home. The teacher has to use some of the AR time to let the kids take the tests. They only take 5-10 minutes and no one takes one every day so most of the time is still for reading. The...See MoreYou are obviously a great dad who is concerned about his kids and active in their education, but it did sound like you were complaining that your son has to read at home. The teacher has to use some of the AR time to let the kids take the tests. They only take 5-10 minutes and no one takes one every day so most of the time is still for reading. They also need to find a book to read unless you do that with your son yourself by taking him to the library or bookstore. As teachers, we are so frustrated when kids have time to do everything else but read. If they even spent half the amount of time reading that they do playing video games and all the other things mentioned previously, there would be no problem. If it doesn't count for a grade, I guarantee many, if not most, kids would blow it off. Some kids read no matter what, but many need motivation in the form of a grade. Besides, why shouldn't the ones who reach their goals get the better grade they deserve? Again, this is a small portion of their grade, not all of it. Maybe your son's goal is set too high for him too. That would need to be discussed with his teacher and he may possibly be wasting the time he is given at school to read. Still as a teacher, I'd rather have involved caring parents who ask questions (even if I disagree with them) than ones who did not even care at all.

On 1/08/10, Fireman Dad wrote: > > Ok, I now feel like innocent bystander is talking to me. If > so, fine, here is my reply… > First, I have never said I hate Ar, I have never said I have > a complaint with AR, or a gripe with AR… > I said I have some issues with the way it is in my school. I > know it is an issue with the time allowed to read in school. > I am addressing these issues with the school now. I am > asking if anyone else has these same issues. > I also asked why the need to use the AR quizzes as a test > grade. From what I have read, it clearly states they do not > recommend doing that. It goes on to state that they know it > will be done and then gives guidelines to do it. All I am > asking is WHY… I am not saying it’s necessarily wrong to do > it, just why. > I have stated that my son is starting to resent reading > because of the reading time at home has grown due to the time > in school is not always provided. This in turn has changed > how my son looks at the AR reading… it has turned from the > carrot to the whip… that’s how it is in my home…. DO NOT tell > me that that is not the case. You may tell me that it is not > intended to be that way. You may tell me that is not how any > of your students or children view it, but do not tell me how > it is being perceived in my home. We have always read to our > 2 sons. We have worn out numerous books from reading so much > and because they brought us books to them to read even before > they could read. We have went through several Goodnight Moon > books, Cat in the Hat books etc. > I believe there were assumptions made by some on this board > that were wrong. It is also possible that my posts were > misunderstood. That may have caused some certain responses > by some to me that was taken wrong by me. If that is the > case, I have apologized for that. I am not trying to run > anyone off of this site. I came on because I thought this > was a great place to get some feedback on my issues and to > see if it was an isolated thing or if others have run into > similar issues and how to address them. > It is very apparent that there may be several sides to this > issue. I firmly believe that all sides have different stakes > and viewpoints. I believe that people that take the time to > post or reply are very passionate about their views. I am > frustrated by some replies because I feel I am misunderstood, > and quite possibly due to my lack of clarification of either > my issues or my views about the program. > > > > On 1/08/10, innocent bystander wrote: >> If you have a gripe with AR, that's fine and dandy. Gripe >> away. >> >> However, this is a board to be used by people who want to >> learn more about the AR program and how to use it properly. >> >> I really don't care when people show up with complaints, >> but be willing to work to correct it. >> >> Don't argue with the people who know how to run the >> program. Deb ms/IA and Ima Teacher both have years of >> experience with the program and the proper training to help >> it work. They have both been willing to give FREE training >> tips. And Ima Teacher is even a certified trainer, and she >> gets PAID to go to schools and train staff. >> >> Both know their stuff, and all they get here is grief. >> Arguing about how the program is supposed to be run with >> the people who know how to run it just makes you look >> ignorant. If your school paid for you to go to a training >> by Renaissance Learning, would you argue with their >> presenters, too? Would you rant and rave and call names >> and tell them that they don't know what they are talking >> about? I certainly hope you wouldn't. Why is this any >> different? >> >> If you don't like AR, I'm willing to bet it's because it's >> not being run properly. There, I said it. GET TRAINIG!! >> I said it again! Ima Teacher said it and she was run off >> the board on a rail. Deb says it, and people are trying >> their best to run her off as well. >> >> Now instead of people being able to learn on the board, >> they get nothing. The people who have legitimate questions >> and want to learn can't get any information because they >> get run off by all the bitching and moaning from the people >> who are unwilling to accept that they just might be the >> ones that are wrong. >> >> So, I hope that those of you who hate AR and will have it >> no other way are happy that you have ruined the board. And >> since so many are unwilling to take the time to learn the >> proper way to run the program, then it serves you right if >> your program crashes and burns.

Jan 8, 2010

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Fireman Dad On 1/08/10, Marie wrote: > You are obviously a great dad who is concerned about his kids and > active in their education, but it did sound like you were > complaining that your son has to read at home.

My only complaint about reading at home is that we are expected to read our regular 15 minutes at home plus any balance from schoo...See MoreOn 1/08/10, Marie wrote: > You are obviously a great dad who is concerned about his kids and > active in their education, but it did sound like you were > complaining that your son has to read at home.

My only complaint about reading at home is that we are expected to read our regular 15 minutes at home plus any balance from school. I felt I was keeping my end of the bargan but the school was not and my son was paying the price with extra work at home.

The teacher has to > use some of the AR time to let the kids take the tests. They only > take 5-10 minutes and no one takes one every day so most of the > time is still for reading.

My son takes an AR test almost everyday. His goal is 14 points every 6 weeks. He reads a .5 book and tests almost everyday. 28 days out of 30 for a .5 book to meet his goal. He has tried the 1.0 books but looking at them, its easier for him to read two .5 books than one 1.0 book, so he is testing almost everyday. This is where it has become the whip. I am not one to say just go for the easy way out, but at some point, something has to give. His reading has just become a means to an end, and the journey to get to the end is not as important as just getting to the end.

They also need to find a book to read > unless you do that with your son yourself by taking him to the > library or bookstore. As teachers, we are so frustrated when kids > have time to do everything else but read. If they even spent half > the amount of time reading that they do playing video games and > all the other things mentioned previously, there would be no > problem.

The problem is they are still kids and need to be let to do kid things besides reading and school work. I'm not advocating letting my sons play video games for hours every evening but that is some fun for them and that is what kids like to do also. I try and have them play outside as much as possible weather permitting but after their school day, then home for a snack and on to homework for over an hour and then supper, its almost to late for them to even go outside and play like 6-8 year olds should be doing. I feel that the physical exercise of playing outside is important as well.

If it doesn't count for a grade, I guarantee many, if not > most, kids would blow it off. Some kids read no matter what, but > many need motivation in the form of a grade. Besides, why > shouldn't the ones who reach their goals get the better grade they > deserve? Again, this is a small portion of their grade, not all > of it. Maybe your son's goal is set too high for him too. That > would need to be discussed with his teacher and he may possibly be > wasting the time he is given at school to read. Still as a > teacher, I'd rather have involved caring parents who ask questions > (even if I disagree with them) than ones who did not even care at all. > > On 1/08/10, Fireman Dad wrote: >> >> Ok, I now feel like innocent bystander is talking to me. If >> so, fine, here is my reply… >> First, I have never said I hate Ar, I have never said I have >> a complaint with AR, or a gripe with AR… >> I said I have some issues with the way it is in my school. I >> know it is an issue with the time allowed to read in school. >> I am addressing these issues with the school now. I am >> asking if anyone else has these same issues. >> I also asked why the need to use the AR quizzes as a test >> grade. From what I have read, it clearly states they do not >> recommend doing that. It goes on to state that they know it >> will be done and then gives guidelines to do it. All I am >> asking is WHY… I am not saying it’s necessarily wrong to do >> it, just why. >> I have stated that my son is starting to resent reading >> because of the reading time at home has grown due to the time >> in school is not always provided. This in turn has changed >> how my son looks at the AR reading… it has turned from the >> carrot to the whip… that’s how it is in my home…. DO NOT tell >> me that that is not the case. You may tell me that it is not >> intended to be that way. You may tell me that is not how any >> of your students or children view it, but do not tell me how >> it is being perceived in my home. We have always read to our >> 2 sons. We have worn out numerous books from reading so much >> and because they brought us books to them to read even before >> they could read. We have went through several Goodnight Moon >> books, Cat in the Hat books etc. >> I believe there were assumptions made by some on this board >> that were wrong. It is also possible that my posts were >> misunderstood. That may have caused some certain responses >> by some to me that was taken wrong by me. If that is the >> case, I have apologized for that. I am not trying to run >> anyone off of this site. I came on because I thought this >> was a great place to get some feedback on my issues and to >> see if it was an isolated thing or if others have run into >> similar issues and how to address them. >> It is very apparent that there may be several sides to this >> issue. I firmly believe that all sides have different stakes >> and viewpoints. I believe that people that take the time to >> post or reply are very passionate about their views. I am >> frustrated by some replies because I feel I am misunderstood, >> and quite possibly due to my lack of clarification of either >> my issues or my views about the program. >> >> >> >> On 1/08/10, innocent bystander wrote: >>> If you have a gripe with AR, that's fine and dandy. Gripe >>> away. >>> >>> However, this is a board to be used by people who want to >>> learn more about the AR program and how to use it properly. >>> >>> I really don't care when people show up with complaints, >>> but be willing to work to correct it. >>> >>> Don't argue with the people who know how to run the >>> program. Deb ms/IA and Ima Teacher both have years of >>> experience with the program and the proper training to help >>> it work. They have both been willing to give FREE training >>> tips. And Ima Teacher is even a certified trainer, and she >>> gets PAID to go to schools and train staff. >>> >>> Both know their stuff, and all they get here is grief. >>> Arguing about how the program is supposed to be run with >>> the people who know how to run it just makes you look >>> ignorant. If your school paid for you to go to a training >>> by Renaissance Learning, would you argue with their >>> presenters, too? Would you rant and rave and call names >>> and tell them that they don't know what they are talking >>> about? I certainly hope you wouldn't. Why is this any >>> different? >>> >>> If you don't like AR, I'm willing to bet it's because it's >>> not being run properly. There, I said it. GET TRAINIG!! >>> I said it again! Ima Teacher said it and she was run off >>> the board on a rail. Deb says it, and people are trying >>> their best to run her off as well. >>> >>> Now instead of people being able to learn on the board, >>> they get nothing. The people who have legitimate questions >>> and want to learn can't get any information because they >>> get run off by all the bitching and moaning from the people >>> who are unwilling to accept that they just might be the >>> ones that are wrong. >>> >>> So, I hope that those of you who hate AR and will have it >>> no other way are happy that you have ruined the board. And >>> since so many are unwilling to take the time to learn the >>> proper way to run the program, then it serves you right if >>> your program crashes and burns.

Jan 8, 2010

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AR Fan If it looks like a whip, sounds like a whip, feels like a whip, then..... it's a whip.

On 1/08/10, Fireman Dad wrote: > > Ok, I now feel like innocent bystander is talking to me.

Jan 8, 2010

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Fireman Dad Very profound

On 1/08/10, AR Fan wrote: > If it looks like a whip, sounds like a whip, feels like a whip, > then..... it's a whip. > > > On 1/08/10, Fireman Dad wrote: >> >> Ok, I now feel like innocent bystander is talking to me.

Jan 8, 2010

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Marie Unless your son is only in 1st or 2nd grade(or maybe 3rd grade if he is not a very good reader, but you said he was), he should be reading more than .5 books every day. My advice is he'd be much better off reading a 2-3 point book every week or so. Divide the pages into the week so he makes his daily goal of so many pages in the book whether he rea...See MoreUnless your son is only in 1st or 2nd grade(or maybe 3rd grade if he is not a very good reader, but you said he was), he should be reading more than .5 books every day. My advice is he'd be much better off reading a 2-3 point book every week or so. Divide the pages into the week so he makes his daily goal of so many pages in the book whether he reads it at school and/or home. Getting .5 at a time is the most difficult way to get points. Save the .5 books until you get within a point of your goal. This works for my students and they always make their goals and usually with extra time to spare.

On 1/08/10, Fireman Dad wrote: > On 1/08/10, Marie wrote: >> You are obviously a great dad who is concerned about his kids and >> active in their education, but it did sound like you were >> complaining that your son has to read at home. > > My only complaint about reading at home is that we are expected to > read our regular 15 minutes at home plus any balance from school. > I felt I was keeping my end of the bargan but the school was not > and my son was paying the price with extra work at home. > > The teacher has to >> use some of the AR time to let the kids take the tests. They only >> take 5-10 minutes and no one takes one every day so most of the >> time is still for reading. > > My son takes an AR test almost everyday. His goal is 14 points > every 6 weeks. He reads a .5 book and tests almost everyday. 28 > days out of 30 for a .5 book to meet his goal. He has tried the > 1.0 books but looking at them, its easier for him to read two .5 > books than one 1.0 book, so he is testing almost everyday. This is > where it has become the whip. I am not one to say just go for the > easy way out, but at some point, something has to give. His > reading has just become a means to an end, and the journey to get > to the end is not as important as just getting to the end. > > They also need to find a book to read >> unless you do that with your son yourself by taking him to the >> library or bookstore. As teachers, we are so frustrated when kids >> have time to do everything else but read. If they even spent half >> the amount of time reading that they do playing video games and >> all the other things mentioned previously, there would be no >> problem. > > The problem is they are still kids and need to be let to do kid > things besides reading and school work. I'm not advocating letting > my sons play video games for hours every evening but that is some > fun for them and that is what kids like to do also. I try and have > them play outside as much as possible weather permitting but after > their school day, then home for a snack and on to homework for over > an hour and then supper, its almost to late for them to even go > outside and play like 6-8 year olds should be doing. I feel that > the physical exercise of playing outside is important as well. > > If it doesn't count for a grade, I guarantee many, if not >> most, kids would blow it off. Some kids read no matter what, but >> many need motivation in the form of a grade. Besides, why >> shouldn't the ones who reach their goals get the better grade they >> deserve? Again, this is a small portion of their grade, not all >> of it. Maybe your son's goal is set too high for him too. That >> would need to be discussed with his teacher and he may possibly be >> wasting the time he is given at school to read. Still as a >> teacher, I'd rather have involved caring parents who ask questions >> (even if I disagree with them) than ones who did not even care at > all. >> >> On 1/08/10, Fireman Dad wrote: >>> >>> Ok, I now feel like innocent bystander is talking to me. If >>> so, fine, here is my reply… >>> First, I have never said I hate Ar, I have never said I have >>> a complaint with AR, or a gripe with AR… >>> I said I have some issues with the way it is in my school. I >>> know it is an issue with the time allowed to read in school. >>> I am addressing these issues with the school now. I am >>> asking if anyone else has these same issues. >>> I also asked why the need to use the AR quizzes as a test >>> grade. From what I have read, it clearly states they do not >>> recommend doing that. It goes on to state that they know it >>> will be done and then gives guidelines to do it. All I am >>> asking is WHY… I am not saying it’s necessarily wrong to do >>> it, just why. >>> I have stated that my son is starting to resent reading >>> because of the reading time at home has grown due to the time >>> in school is not always provided. This in turn has changed >>> how my son looks at the AR reading… it has turned from the >>> carrot to the whip… that’s how it is in my home…. DO NOT tell >>> me that that is not the case. You may tell me that it is not >>> intended to be that way. You may tell me that is not how any >>> of your students or children view it, but do not tell me how >>> it is being perceived in my home. We have always read to our >>> 2 sons. We have worn out numerous books from reading so much >>> and because they brought us books to them to read even before >>> they could read. We have went through several Goodnight Moon >>> books, Cat in the Hat books etc. >>> I believe there were assumptions made by some on this board >>> that were wrong. It is also possible that my posts were >>> misunderstood. That may have caused some certain responses >>> by some to me that was taken wrong by me. If that is the >>> case, I have apologized for that. I am not trying to run >>> anyone off of this site. I came on because I thought this >>> was a great place to get some feedback on my issues and to >>> see if it was an isolated thing or if others have run into >>> similar issues and how to address them. >>> It is very apparent that there may be several sides to this >>> issue. I firmly believe that all sides have different stakes >>> and viewpoints. I believe that people that take the time to >>> post or reply are very passionate about their views. I am >>> frustrated by some replies because I feel I am misunderstood, >>> and quite possibly due to my lack of clarification of either >>> my issues or my views about the program. >>> >>> >>> >>> On 1/08/10, innocent bystander wrote: >>>> If you have a gripe with AR, that's fine and dandy. Gripe >>>> away. >>>> >>>> However, this is a board to be used by people who want to >>>> learn more about the AR program and how to use it properly. >>>> >>>> I really don't care when people show up with complaints, >>>> but be willing to work to correct it. >>>> >>>> Don't argue with the people who know how to run the >>>> program. Deb ms/IA and Ima Teacher both have years of >>>> experience with the program and the proper training to help >>>> it work. They have both been willing to give FREE training >>>> tips. And Ima Teacher is even a certified trainer, and she >>>> gets PAID to go to schools and train staff. >>>> >>>> Both know their stuff, and all they get here is grief. >>>> Arguing about how the program is supposed to be run with >>>> the people who know how to run it just makes you look >>>> ignorant. If your school paid for you to go to a training >>>> by Renaissance Learning, would you argue with their >>>> presenters, too? Would you rant and rave and call names >>>> and tell them that they don't know what they are talking >>>> about? I certainly hope you wouldn't. Why is this any >>>> different? >>>> >>>> If you don't like AR, I'm willing to bet it's because it's >>>> not being run properly. There, I said it. GET TRAINIG!! >>>> I said it again! Ima Teacher said it and she was run off >>>> the board on a rail. Deb says it, and people are trying >>>> their best to run her off as well. >>>> >>>> Now instead of people being able to learn on the board, >>>> they get nothing. The people who have legitimate questions >>>> and want to learn can't get any information because they >>>> get run off by all the bitching and moaning from the people >>>> who are unwilling to accept that they just might be the >>>> ones that are wrong. >>>> >>>> So, I hope that those of you who hate AR and will have it >>>> no other way are happy that you have ruined the board. And >>>> since so many are unwilling to take the time to learn the >>>> proper way to run the program, then it serves you right if >>>> your program crashes and burns.

Jan 9, 2010

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