1. Accelerated Reader STAR Reading Renaissance Place
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Accelerated Reader STAR Reading Renaissance Place
An Introduction

2. What Is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
What Is Accelerated Reader?
A software program (or tool) that helps you manage reading practice, monitor daily progress, and plan instruction.

3. Accelerated Reader’s Goals: Improve Reading
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Accelerated Reader’s Goals: Improve Reading
Accelerate growth in reading ability
Foster a love of reading in all students
Enable daily (or weekly) monitoring of reading progress
Improve test scores

4. Accelerated Reader: The Facts
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Accelerated Reader: The Facts
Uses short quizzes to check comprehension of books
Stores data and provides reports on how much and how well students are reading
Is used after a reading range is established
Is part of a group of products available through Renaissance Place

5. STAR Reading: Create Reading Ranges
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
STAR Reading: Create Reading Ranges
What your child did last October!
Computer based assessment of a student’s overall reading ability
Identifies individual reading ranges
Measures growth (administer 2-3 times a year)
Students must have a 100-word sight vocabulary

6. STAR Reading Assessments
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
STAR Reading Assessments
Provide a quiet, non-disruptive environment to take assessment
Question difficulty is based on previous answers (computer-adaptive)
Results: Provides a grade-equivalent (GE) reading level and identifies a “ZPD” (Zone of Proximal Development)
Provides a starting point (“broaden” range if < 85% on Reading Practice quizzes)

7. Using Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Using Accelerated Reader
Use Accelerated Reader after STAR Reading assessments are complete
Students select books appropriate for individual reading level and interests
Students take quizzes within 24 hours of reading book

8. Accelerated Reader Quizzes
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Accelerated Reader Quizzes
Four types of quizzes
Reading Practice (RP): 100,000+ quizzes
Vocabulary Practice (VP): quizzes
Literacy Skills (LS): quizzes
Other Reading: We don’t have any
All students must complete RP quiz for each book

9. AR Reading Practice Quizzes
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
AR Reading Practice Quizzes
Quizzes are meant to see if book was read, not to pose difficult questions
Goal for all students at HRS: 80% or better (“broaden” range if not meeting goal)
Points are prorated based on % of quiz score; student who scores 80% earns 80% of point value of book. Students earn no points for a failed quiz.
5 or 10 question quizzes: 60% pass 20 question quizzes: 70% pass

10. Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
More on Quizzes
Quiz questions are the same for all students, but scrambled in order
Students may not retake a RP quiz
Teachers may delete RP quizzes
Accelerated Reader keeps track of quiz scores, points earned and book levels

11. Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Choosing Books
Visual
Short description
Advanced Search options
Collections (award winners, state lists, etc)

12. Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Book & Interest Levels
Book Level indicates text difficulty -- not appropriateness
Interest Level relates to content and appropriateness
LG = lower grades, K-3
MG = middle grades, 4-8
UG = upper grades, 9-12
Choose a lower Book Level and a higher Interest Level for struggling students

13. Points Measure Practice
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Points Measure Practice
Book Level
Title
Interest Level
Points
4.0
The Poky Little Puppy LG .5
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers MG
1.0
The Color Purple UG
9.0

14. Managing Goals for Students
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Managing Goals for Students
Review progress weekly using Diagnostic report (see instructions)
100% does not mean it’s too easy
If 100% 3x or more at top of range, broaden range up, if <85% 2 or more times broaden range down
We want to see the zone move up throughout the year!
During reading time allow students to read or take quizzes

15. Quiz Guidelines for Students
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Quiz Guidelines for Students
Don’t rush through quiz; read the question twice and ALL four answer choices
Review info on print out (TOPS) with students
Don’t refer to the book (post-it chapter summaries acceptable for some students)
Review Code of Ethics

16. Taking Quizzes
Take RP quizzes at home or school; see
Take quizzes within 24 hours of reading book (as soon as possible)
Take quizzes on ALL books read (Read With, Read To, Read Independently)
Turn print out into teacher (optional)

17. Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
The Parent’s Role
Create time for reading practice at home (before bed, 15 minutes of reading)
Provide access to books in library, bookstores, share books with friends
Guide and motivate daily reading (check-in)
Use reports to monitor progress and give feedback (have your child print out reports)
Provide motivation (positive, limits, incentive)

18. Practice Reading Every Day
Accelerated Reader Training
January 9, 2008
Practice Reading Every Day
Students need to improve reading stamina as well as reading ability
Lots of ways to count the reading in AR!
Read With: mom, dad, cousin, aunt, sister
Read To: teacher, parent, siblings
Read Independently: student reads alone

19. Reading Truths
Top performers read 144 times more than readers who perform at the lowest levels
Practice must be in appropriate materials
Improvements to reading impact all curriculum areas

20. Reading Truths Find books https://arbookfind.com
Take a quiz at