Support of Fireman Dad

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Support of Fireman Dad

by Melissa

Jan 12, 2010

Fireman Dad, I must say that I agree with you 100%. My son is an above level reader who is now not wanting to read at all because of AR. They have set these kids up for failure. The point goals they set are too high to reach when considering all the other work they have to do. Studying spelling every night, reading there story every night, math, spelling packs, practicing math facts......it is ridiculous. They are just kids and they have alot of reading ahead of them to do over the next years of school and they are getting burned out on it during their elementary years. And then to count it as a grade, for which it was never intended and then to punish the kids who have not made their goal by making them sit in a room and read while the others have a party!!!! I think AR could be a good program when used as intended. I think kids should read but I also think kids should be allowed to be kids. They want to know why graduation rates have gone down......its because they burn kids out to e...See More

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Fireman Dad On 1/12/10, Melissa wrote: > Fireman Dad, I must say that I agree with you 100%. My son > is an above level reader who is now not wanting to read at > all because of AR. They have set these kids up for failure. > The point goals they set are too high to reach when > considering all the other work they have to do. Studying > spelli...See More

Jan 12, 2010

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Melissa On 1/12/10, Fireman Dad wrote: > On 1/12/10, Melissa wrote: >> Fireman Dad, I must say that I agree with you 100%. My son >> is an above level reader who is now not wanting to read at >> all because of AR. They have set these kids up for failure. >> The point goals they set are too high to reach when >> considering ...See MoreOn 1/12/10, Fireman Dad wrote: > On 1/12/10, Melissa wrote: >> Fireman Dad, I must say that I agree with you 100%. My son >> is an above level reader who is now not wanting to read at >> all because of AR. They have set these kids up for failure. >> The point goals they set are too high to reach when >> considering all the other work they have to do. Studying >> spelling every night, reading there story every night, >> math, spelling packs, practicing math facts......it is >> ridiculous. They are just kids and they have alot of >> reading ahead of them to do over the next years of school >> and they are getting burned out on it during their >> elementary years. And then to count it as a grade, for >> which it was never intended and then to punish the kids who >> have not made their goal by making them sit in a room and >> read while the others have a party!!!! I think AR could be >> a good program when used as intended. I think kids should >> read but I also think kids should be allowed to be kids. >> They want to know why graduation rates have gone >> down......its because they burn kids out to early!!! > > Thank you Melissa for your post. I too understand that this > is a teachers site, however I thought this would be the > perfect place to get some answers and or opinions on the > issues I was having. It seems like the teachers love AR by > the posts and replys, and are not very receptive to my and > now our issues. I understand that it can be a great program > to supplement reading instruction, but it seems to me that it > is not being used as intended. All I am looking for is why > use it for a grade, and why the time parameters used for > setting the goal are not being adhered to by the school. I > understand that is a school issue and again I am tring to > rectify that, but I was looking more for info about that > being an issue with anyone else.

Yes, time and grade and punishment for not meeting their specific requirements is my concern too. I am not only seeing this from a parent standpoint but also as a person who works in the school system with elementary students. If they could make the program a little more motivation to ALL students, such as giving prizes at different levels and not making it count as a grade. My feel is that not only is it hurting children who are good readers by discouraging them and "forcing" them to read a specific type of book in a specific time frame, it is also hurting the children who may not be very good readers and try really hard but just can't make the high goal set before them. And with these tests, in order to get the full points, you must make 100%. This hurts the kids struggling to read and comprehend because it makes it even harder for them to reach the goal. I believe children need expectations and standards to reach, but when then expectations and standards are too high...it just sets them up for failure. And that is where this program has gone way off track. It was created to help reluctant readers become more motivated and in turn it is turning children away from reading. I think each school need to review this program and see how it is being used within the school and revamp it to be motivational for readers....not discouraging. Melissa

Jan 14, 2010

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