1. Accelerated Reader 2017-2018 Frequently Asked Questions:
A Pierce PTSA program
Thank you to all the parents who volunteer their time to help make the Accelerated Reader Program a success.
AR Co-Chairs
Taline Linovitz
Jessica Wertz
How do I know if my child is eligible for the AR Program?
Every 2nd-5th grader is eligible and automatically has an AR Log-In and Password. You may get them from your child’s teacher or media specialist. This is an elective program with the purpose of encouraging reading.
Where can my child take the AR Tests?
The Accelerated Reader testing tool is available on all Pierce computers. It is up to the teacher to determine if tests may be taken during classroom hours. Tests may be taken before and after school in the Media Center.
What is the “AR Celebration Party”?
As a student earns more points, he/she graduates to different “star levels”. Students reaching the highest level (points needed are based on grade) are invited to the AR end of year party to celebrate their achievement. The event provides a fun-filled day at Beverly Hills Club offering sports activities, games, crafts, a pizza lunch and a bounce house. This event is during school hours and bus transportation is provided.
Who organizes, funds and runs
the AR Program at Pierce?
The Pierce PTSA fully funds the Accelerated Reader program. Parent volunteers work the entire year to make AR a success.
How can I get more information or volunteer?
Please read the “Four Simple Steps” on this brochure. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact one of the AR co-chairs. Volunteer parents are needed on each of the “Point Harvest Dates” to properly award all the involved students. We would love to have you! 
Motivate your child to read through a program they’ll love!
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a supplemental reading program at Pierce Elementary School available to all students in grades 2-5.
AR offers students incentives to read and reinforces reading comprehension throughout the school year in a fun, individually-paced format.
Pierce Elementary School
1829 Pierce Street
Birmingham, MI 48009
Pierce Elementary Media Center Hours
Monday-Friday
8:30-8:50am (for students taking AR quizzes with parent supervision)
8:50am-3:50pm (regular hours)
Closed during lunch (12:30-1:10pm)
3:50-4:15 (for students taking AR quizzes with parent supervision)

2. 1 2 3 4 How does Accelerated Reader work? Four simple steps!
What books are on the Accelerated Reader list?
Accelerated Reader Point Thresholds 1
Students read an AR book. Students choose books at their appropriate reading levels and read them independently and at their own pace. Visit for book titles.
Students Take a Quiz.
Students take multiple-choice reading comprehension quizzes for their books independently on a computer at school. Points are earned for correct answers. (For any credit, students must answer 60% of questions correctly.)
Points are “Harvested.”
AR volunteers tally points for program participants approximately every six weeks. Students receive incentives when certain point thresholds are achieved. Students achieving the Gold-star level are invited to participate in a AR Celebration Party at the end of the school year. Each grade has different point thresholds.
Progress is Shared with You.
The AR Committee sends home reports indicating how many points your child has accumulated and what incentives have been earned.
If it’s in print, it’s most likely on the AR list. The list of AR books is endless. Chances are, your child has read many of them already! Books can be found in Pierce’s Media Center and you may also have books at home that are already on the list.
To search the AR catalog and see if the book has a corresponding AR quiz, visit or look on the Pierce Media Center website.
Note: Due to licensing restrictions, quizzes cannot be accessed from a home computer. All quizzes must be taken at Pierce.
Students will earn the awards shown below for reaching pre-determined point levels. Grade-adjusted point levels will be sent home with your student. 2
Level
Incentive 1
Students may purchase an AR t-shirt ($12.00) to show their participation and all the stars they will earn. Note: T-shirt proceeds are used to help fund the AR Program. 2
Yellow star iron-on 3
Purple star iron-on and student picture on AR Bulletin Board 4
Green star iron-on 5
Orange star iron-on and free book of choice from AR bookshelf 6
Magenta star iron-on 7
Blue star iron-on and student name announced on WPBS Morning Show 8
Silver star iron-on and $5 Books-A-Million gift card 9
Gold star iron-on, AR medal and invitation to the year end AR Celebration (and a day off from school) on June 6th! 3
Accelerated Reader Dates to Remember
Test-taking deadline (Noon)
Point
Harvest
October 19th
October 20th
December 7th
December 8th
January 25th
January 26th
March 15th
March 16th
May 10th
May 11th 4
For more information and updates, check out the AR Section of the Pierce PTSA Website.
Student test-taking must be completed
by noon on the Thursday preceding point harvesting (tallying) days.