Accelerated Reader (AR) is essentially a reading practice and comprehension program that helps teachers track your child's reading progress and encourage independent reading at their appropriate level. Here's a breakdown:
What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?
- It's a computer program designed to personalize and monitor reading practice.
- Your child selects books within their identified reading range.
- They read these books independently, at their own pace.
- After finishing a book, they take a short, computerized quiz to assess comprehension.
How Does AR Work?
- Reading Level Assessment: Your child will likely take a STAR Reading test to determine their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), or reading range. This helps them choose books that are challenging but not too difficult.
- Book Selection: Using their ZPD, your child picks books they find interesting from the school or public library. Each AR book has a point value based on its length and difficulty.
- Independent Reading: Your child reads the book independently.
- Quizzing: After reading, your child takes a short quiz on the computer to check their understanding of the book. The quiz assesses comprehension, not just recall of facts.
- Progress Tracking: The AR program tracks your child's progress, including books read, quizzes passed, points earned, and overall comprehension.
Why Use AR?
- Encourages Independent Reading: AR promotes a love of reading by allowing children to choose books that interest them.
- Tracks Progress: It provides teachers with valuable data on each student's reading comprehension and progress.
- Personalized Learning: AR helps tailor reading practice to each student's individual needs and abilities.
- Motivates Reading: The point system and quizzes can motivate some students to read more.
What Parents Should Know:
- Focus on Comprehension, Not Just Points: Encourage your child to understand what they are reading, not just to pass the quiz.
- Support Book Selection: Help your child find books within their ZPD that are also interesting and engaging.
- Communicate with the Teacher: Stay in touch with your child's teacher to discuss their reading progress and any concerns.
- AR is a Tool, Not the Only Measure: AR is a helpful tool, but it's important to remember that it's not the only way to assess reading ability. A child's overall engagement with reading and their enjoyment of books are also crucial.
In short, Accelerated Reader is a tool to help your child develop their reading skills and foster a love of reading by providing a structured and personalized approach to independent reading practice.
