What is AR?
AR or Accelerated Reader is an Electronic Learning Resource that analyzes readability levels of books, guides students to appropriate level reading materials, and provides computer generated quizzes to assess comprehension. AR was originally developed in 1986 and has grown into the company called Renaissance Learning. Most quizzes are comprised of ten multiple choice questions.
How does AR work?
1. All students Grades 1-8 will be given the Star Enterprise Test in September, January, and May. This computerized reading test determines a student’s reading level. Students are also given a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development).
2. The student chooses a book at his/her appropriate reading level and reads it at his/her own pace. Students may have a book read to them, read with someone, or read the book on their own.
3. The student takes a computer generated quiz to measure how well he/she comprehended the book.
4. The student is scored immediately upon completion of the quiz.
5. A student can only take a quiz on a title once. For example, if a child took a quiz on Green Eggs and Ham in 1st Grade, he/she will not be able to take a test on that book again in 2nd Grade.
Where can you get AR books?
- Classroom Libraries
- School Library
- Bookstores
- Scholastic Book Fair – December 9th – 13th
- Home Collections
Where do students take AR quizzes?
The students will use their ipads to take AR quizzes when they have completed a book. AR quizzes will only be available during school hours and at Beyond the Bell.
How Many quizzes should my child take per quarter?
Depending on a student’s ZPD, a goal is automatically generated by the computer.
What is a passing score on an AR quiz?
85% or higher is a passing grade on an AR quiz. However, partial points will be given for quiz grades of 70% or higher.
What do the colored dots on the school library books mean?
In order to guide students to books in their reading level, each class has labeled their books with color coded dots that correspond to a school wide leveling chart.
What do the abbreviations IL, BL, and Points mean?
To help students select appropriate books, every book that has an AR quiz has been assigned an interest level (IL), a book level (BL), and a point value.
Interest Level (IL) refers to the sophistication of a book’s content, ideas, and theme and is based on publisher recommendations. You would use the interest level to determine if a child should read the book.
LG= lower grades, approximately K-3
MG=middle grades, approximately 4-8
UG=upper grades, approximately 9-12
Book Levels (BL) are based on an ATOS readability scale developed by Renaissance Learning. The full-text of the book is scanned into a computer and the difficulty of the words is analyzed. The book level is a measure of the difficulty of the text and helps predict which books students can understand.
Points are based on both the length and the difficulty of the bool. Therefore, the longer and harder the book is, the more points it is worth.
Keep in mind that the reading level DOES NOT indicated quality or appropriateness of content of a given book, only the readability.
How do I know my child’s ATOS Book Level?
ATOS book level is a point range of your child’s reading ability. The main goal is to have your child read on his/her reading level and score a 90% or greater on the corresponding reading practice quiz. When children comprehend what they are reading, they easily score 90% or better on quizzes. Research shows that the better the student scores, the more he/she is benefitting from the AR program. 90% is good, but greater than 90% is better! If your child is scoring 100% repeatedly, then it is time to move up to a more challenging ATOS book level. If your child continually scores 80% or less, the ATOS book level should be lowered. Just because your child is in 2nd Grade, doesn’t mean he/she should only test on books between 2.0 – 2.9. These books may be too difficult or too easy for your child. Use the AR report that is included in your child’s quarterly report card to help determine your child’s appropriate ATOS book level. If you are unsure, ask your child’s teacher for help.
How can I help my child with AR?
- Encourage reading at home.
- Ask your child questions about the book he/she is reading.
- Know your child’s reading level.
- Check to see that your child is selecting books on his/her reading level.
- Praise good percentages.
- Watch for scores below 80% on a single quiz, since that indicates there might be a problem. If a student is scoring low on quizzes, help him/her to figure out where he/she is having difficulty (i.e. was the book too hard or too long). Encourage that a 90% average be maintained.
What is AR Bookfinder?
AR Bookfinder is an exciting new online tool from Renaissance Learning that will help you find appropriate Accelerated Reader books for your child to read. With AR Bookfinder, parents and students can: Quickly access helpful details about every book in the AR quiz library. Develop custom reading lists based on criteria such as author, interest level, book level, point value and more. See profiles on each book that includes a brief description, number of pages, ISBN, LCCN, date published, series, topics, and more.
Book scanner is an iPhone app that utilizes AR Bookfinder and can be used as a tool to search books.