AR Reading

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Accelerated Reader Chatboard

AR Reading

by Ben Mireled

Jan 10, 2011

This chat board is supposed to acknowledge that AR helps are kids excel. Unfortunately with experiences and discussions with sources close to schools, I have realized it is a form of reading (homework) not a program and it is supposed to be utilized as EXTRA credit towards a childs grade. Teachers use it now as a % of the grade not as a program to help excel students. Some books I have seen are not grade equivilant that this program has listed. It is time for parents to take a stand and let schools know they need to teach the aspect of reading not just allow these kids to read a book for nine weeks to get some points off a 10 question test and it's open book which does not allow these kids to focus on what they read just LOOK AT WORDS!!!

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Wrong Information It's not a homework program. It is a program to increase comprehension of independent reading. It's designed to be used with 20 to 60 minutes of IN CLASS reading per day.

It is perfectly acceptable to be used as a part of the grade. The AR company has guidelines for that. It's especially used in middle & high schools as a grade. It's ...See More

Jan 10, 2011

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A. Caldwell On 1/10/11, Ben Mireled wrote: > This chat board is supposed to acknowledge that AR helps > are kids excel. Unfortunately with experiences and > discussions with sources close to schools, I have realized > it is a form of reading (homework) not a program and it is > supposed to be utilized as EXTRA credit towards a childs > grade....See MoreOn 1/10/11, Ben Mireled wrote: > This chat board is supposed to acknowledge that AR helps > are kids excel. Unfortunately with experiences and > discussions with sources close to schools, I have realized > it is a form of reading (homework) not a program and it is > supposed to be utilized as EXTRA credit towards a childs > grade. Teachers use it now as a % of the grade not as a > program to help excel students. Some books I have seen are > not grade equivilant that this program has listed. It is > time for parents to take a stand and let schools know they > need to teach the aspect of reading not just allow these > kids to read a book for nine weeks to get some points off a > 10 question test and it's open book which does not allow > these kids to focus on what they read just LOOK AT WORDS!!!

Our students benefit greatly from AR when it is used properly. The problem is that it should not just be for extra credit. Students should receive a grade for their % of goal and their total % correct. Most students on a 3rd grade reading level or higher should read at least 9 books per 9 weeks (less if they're reading longer/ higher point level books). It is fair to say that the higher their STAR reader results for grade equivalency, the higher level books they should be required to read, so they may only read 3 books during the 9 weeks. I had one girl reading Les Miserables in 7th grade and she took the whole quarter, but it was 100 pt book, perfect for her 13+ reading level. AR gives a prime opportunity differentiation. The key is in understanding a few concepts: "scaffolding" (some of my students need reading packets to support their journey through a book...I get mine from Edhelper.com, whereas others are good with a reading log that gives room for text interaction on a multiple times per day basis). "guided independant reading" (the teacher has to keep his/her finger on the pulse by monitoring closely what each student is reading, how long it takes, whether or not the reading log or packet is being completed in a timely manner, and use the awesome reports that AR gives each teacher access to. I check my students numbers weekly). I encourage students to read in 12 minute bursts unless they really get into it & can't put it down. To that end they have a 12 minute warmup of AR time. During that time I conference with students on a rotating schedule so I can regularly check their progress, ask questions, conduct fluency checks. My students range from a 2.3 reading level to 13+ in the 7th grade. Without AR, many would either be bored or lost. AR validates all of them where they are and they can apply the literary skills I teach and model via whole class 7th grade level instruction, with their own independent reading. It's like going to the gym and working with a trainer. The trainer shows you how to do it, then one on one helps you do it at your level. Then you do it on your own at your level and when you do it again with the trainer, you're a little bit closer to doing it as good as the trainer. Slowly but surely they make it. My numbers speak for themselves. Without AR it was like playing Russian Roulette as to what my scores on end of the year tests would be like. With AR, I grew along with my students, in my understanding of what it mean to scaffold, guide, & direct. Principles want to see direct instruction, yet "best practices" tell us "guided practice" is better, and "differentiation" is best. AR gave me a solid framework with which to do all of that and my students have ranged from 4.1% - 11.7% gains in 1 9 weeks. I can't wait to see where we'll be by the end of the year. For the first time ever, I feel confident that ALL of my students will pass their end of grade tests. Why? Because I have an accurate monitoring device. Before doctors had the tools they now have to monitor patients, it was a matter of educated guessing until the patient either recovered or died. Likewise, teachers without accurate monitoring devices are left to make educated guesses until their students' reading ability either miraculously improves or their desire to improve dies. AR is part of a balanced literacy program, just like an EKG is part of balanced healthcare. Some patients don't need an EKG, and some kids don't need AR, but it doesn't hurt. As in healthcare, better to be safe than sorry. I have been teaching for 9 years and was a skeptic of AR for 3 of the 4 years that I have had the opportunity to use it. This year, due to a push for PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) in our district and to a graduate level research project, I have taken this topic on as a personal interest study and I am now a firm believer in its value. My only regret is that I didn't buy into it sooner. Google Renaissance Learning and download free copies of their guides for parents and teachers. That was my first step and it made a huge difference. There is also a discussion board on facebook where you can get lots of great tips and ideas. I'll be posting a link to my research article there when it is finished in March.

Jan 20, 2011

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