Los Alamitos Accelerated Reader Program
2009-2010

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computerized program that helps teachers, students and parents manage and monitor students reading practice. Students pick books within their reading range and read at their own pace.  When finished, the student takes a short reading comprehension quiz on a school computer.  AR gives both student and teacher immediate feedback based on the quiz results. This information is used to guide students to reading success.  

In the early weeks of school students are STAR tested to determine their ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development).  Students select books based on results from this test and the goals set by their teacher.  Students may read books selected from school, home or public libraries.  Los Alamitos families can see if there is a quiz available for their chosen book online at www.arbookfind.com . They can look up books by title, author or collection.

• Reading Practice Quizzes ask literal questions that measure a student’s comprehension of a book.
• Recorded Voice Quizzes allow beginning readers to take quizzes on their own because these quizzes include professionally narrated audio.
• Literacy Skills Quizzes ask higher-level questions that require students to apply 24 specific reading skills.
• Vocabulary Practice Quizzes help you get students more excited about learning vocabulary.

Recorded voice and Spanish quizzes are also available for some books. Please discuss these options with your teacher to determine the best path for your student.

It is imperative students read within their selected Book Level. This assures them the best chance for reading success. A goal of 90% RAP is important and achievable for each student. Reading at the correct level will lead to improved comprehension, and increased vocabulary.

REMEMBER:  Parents are not allowed to sit next to students taking quizzes before or after school. Rules for quiz taking are posted next to computers in the Media Center. See the Code of Honor Rules in the Accelerated Reader section of the Los Alamitos website.

More information about Accelerated Reading and the complete Renaissance Learning program can be found online at www.renlearn.com.

AR Star T-shirts are given as a reward to the 100 Point Club recipients; these T- Shirts are only to be worn to school on Friday as part of the school uniform.

New this year:

To become a member of A.R. Points Clubs 100 – 2000+, students must earn a Reading Accuracy Percentage (RAP) of at least 85% for the first two Marking Periods, and 90% for the third Marking Period.  Averages apply only to quizzes taken during the current school year.

AR Points Clubs and Awards will be announced starting the week after each Marking Period as part of daily announcements.  Certificates and rewards will be distributed and pictures taken for the Wall of Fame and the school website at that time.

Teachers will set AR point goals and book level goals for their students. Teachers may also choose to limit student quizzing if a student elects to read and take quizzes outside of their range.

End of Year Awards:

The student with the highest number of accumulated points will receive a certificate and their name on the plaque that hangs on the Wall of Fame in the Media Center. This student will have needed to maintain a RAP of 85-90% during their reading career at Los Alamitos.

Accelerated Reader Best Practices are evidence-based strategies for ensuring that data from Accelerated Reader is used effectively to guide reading practice and ultimately accelerate student reading growth.  

   Teachers will:
   discuss personal reading goals with each student.
   guide students to read books based on their interest and reading levels.
   provide a time and place for student reading and quizzing.

   Parents should:
   provide a time and place for children to read at home every night.
   read to their children and encourage their children to read out loud to them, their siblings, and even their pets.  
   keep books in the car and encourage children to read while waiting at the doctor’s office, before soccer games, etc.  
   let children choose books based on the reading level goals set by their teacher.
   talk to their child’s teacher if they have concerns or questions about their child’s reading progress.

   Students should:
   read at home every night.
   check out books that you and your teacher have decided are right for you.
   take an A.R. quiz within 24 hours of reviewing or reading your book.
   use a reading log to keep track of the book titles and authors they have read.
   check their goals online often and don’t wait until the end of the marking period to take quizzes.

Code of Honor:

Each child participating in the AR program has agreed to the following Code of Honor: