A note to all parents of students participating in the AR program:

The AR program, and the way reading levels are determined, are far from being perfect, or even consistent.  That said, developing habits of reading early and establishing positive attitudes toward reading by modeling (reading in front of and/or to your children, as well as relating things you have learned or enjoyed as a result of reading) are the best way to give your children the optimal environment in which persistent practice will improve their reading comprehension. 

With emergent readers, I try to exercise a strong hand in guiding the reading level of the books they choose to read and test on.  However, student interest in a subject matter, character, or series might influence me to let them read a little higher or lower than their current reading level – their desire to read supersedes, in my view, an inflexible application of matching reading comprehension to reading level.  This view is also underscored by Vygotsky’s idea of the “zone of proximal development,” which suggests that IF a student capacity can be accurately measured, and IF tasks/skills are likewise accurately ranked in level of complexity/difficulty, that there is a range extending slightly below and slightly above a student’s current capacity within which is considered appropriate for that child. 

My suggestion for improving your child’s reading comprehension is to establish a consistent period each day (at least 15 minutes) for them to practice reading.  Our goal is to do this at least 5 days a week, and to take at least one AR test each week. Picture books should be read at least twice before taking a test, and chapter books over 50 pages can be taken open-book.  AR is supposed to be testing comprehension, not memory or simple recall.

Also, I encourage all students to have a dictionary close at hand while reading, so they may look up words they are unfamiliar with or unsure of.  I also allow students to consult a dictionary while taking an AR test, as many AR tests (wrongfully, in my view) have words in the questions and/or possible answers that do NOT appear in the book itself.  This is less of a problem with 3^rd grade and higher level books, but poses significant difficulties for emergent readers in Kindergarten through 2^nd graders.

Lastly, for purposes of clarity, the reading level of books is indicative of the grade and month of instruction, so a 2.0 book is a beginning 2^nd grade level, and a 3.9 book indicates third grade, ninth (or last) month of instruction.

 

POINT REQUIREMENTS:

                               1^st 9 weeks    2^nd 9 weeks     3^rd 9 weeks   4^th 9 weeks                 

1^st GRADE:                 4                     4                      4                    4 

2^ND GRADE:                4                     4                      4                    5

3^RD GRADE:               4                     4                      5                    5

4^TH GRADE:               4                     5                      5                    5

The last day to take an AR test for any given quarter is the last day before exams.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or comments at hwhite@kehoe-francens.com .

Sincerely,

Hunter White

KFN Librarian

Accelerated Reader Frequently Asked Questions:

1.      How long are the borrowing periods for library books, and are there late fees charged?

Borrowing periods for KFN library books are two weeks. We do not charge students for late books, but we will charge the replacement cost of a book to a student who either loses or damages a book beyond repair. KFN students must keep their library books in their book bags/backpacks when they are not reading them. That way, the books are always with them when they need them. Students are required to bring their library books back to the library on every library period, whether they are finished with them or not. Keeping track of their library books and earning their AR points should be the responsibility of the student, not the parent. Help us help your child by reminding them of this.

2.      How long does my child have after checking a book out to take the AR test on that book?

There is no time requirement for taking an AR test, although, obviously, students must earn their required points prior to exams at the end of each quarter. Students should take their AR tests as soon as they have read the entire book independently, and understand what every word in the book means. 1^st and 2^nd grade students reading picture books should also try to read their AR book the same day they take the test.  Students in 1^st and 2^nd grade are strongly encouraged to take at least one AR test each week, but students in 3^rd and 4^th grade are mostly reading chapter books, which take longer.

3.      Does my child have to take an AR test on every AR book they check out?

No. If a student finds the AR book they checked out is too long, or too difficult, they should return it and make another selection.

4.      Why has my child has brought home a library book that does not have an AR sticker on the top of the spine, or has brought home a book that they are unable to read independently?

While I try to let students choose their own books, their interests might motivate them to check out a book that they are unable to read on their own. This is also common after a movie adaptation of a book is released, or after classroom teachers or myself read them all or part of a chapter book. While some parents are happy to read a longer book to their child, not everyone has the time for this. I leave this to the discretion of the parents.

5.      How are the point values for AR points determined, and does my child have to answer all of the questions on an AR test correctly to earn points?

The point value of an AR book is a function of the reading level and length of a book. Most picture books will only be worth half of a point. Partial credit is earned on AR tests when students answer 60% of the questions correctly.

AR FAST FACTS

 

Ø    Students MUST take at least one AR test each week.

Ø    Students should be able to read all of a book independently, and understand all the vocabulary in the text before they take the AR test.

Ø    Students may consult a dictionary during an AR test.

Ø    Students may read one reading level below their grade if: a) the book is non-fiction, or b) the book is a chapter book* 50 pages or longer.

Ø    Students may look inside their books during the AR test if: a) the book is non-fiction, or b) the book is a chapter book* 50 pages or longer.

Ø    Before moving up a reading level, students ought to have scored 80% or better on at least three tests at their current reading level.

Ø    Quarterly AR grades function as a quiz grade, and are averaged in with their other reading comprehension scores in their reading class.

 

LIBRARY GRADES

Students begin each quarter with a perfect participation score of 100%. Points will be deducted for the following infractions:

Ø    Failing to take at least one AR test each week:

 - 5 points

Ø    Failing to bring library books back each week:                   - 1 point per book

Ø    Failure to use shelf marker properly: - 1 point

Ø    Failure to use inside voice and feet: -1 point

Ø    Failure to keep shoes tied & shirt tucked in: -1 point

This library grade will be averaged with any other test or quiz grades for their final grade in library each quarter.

 

 

The following tips are from Reading is Fundamental (RIF).  Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. More information can be found at their website: http://www.rif.org/

Reading doesn't just happen. It is a skill that must be nurtured from a child's earliest years. Once children know how to read, they still need gentle coaxing and support to reach their full potential as readers. Here are a dozen tips for nurturing your growing readers:

1.      Read with your children at least once every day.  

2.      Make sure they have plenty to read. Take them to the library regularly, and keep books and other reading materials in their reach.

3.      Notice what interests your child, then help find books about those things.

4.      Respect your child's choices. There's nothing wrong with series fiction if that's what keeps a young reader turning the pages.

5.      Praise your children's efforts and newly acquired skills.

6.      Help your child build a personal library. Children's books, new or used, make great gifts and appropriate rewards for reading. Designate a bookcase, shelf or box where your children can keep their books.

7.      Check up on your children's progress. Listen to them read aloud, read what they write and ask teachers how they're doing in school.

8.      Go places and do things with your children to build their background knowledge and vocabulary, and to give them a basis for understanding what they read.

9.      Tell stories. It's a fun way to teach values, pass on family history and build your children's listening and thinking skills.

10.  Be a reading role model. Let your children see you read, and share some interesting things with them that you have read about in books, newspapers or magazines.

11.  Continue reading aloud to older children even after they have learned to read by themselves.

12.  Encourage writing along with reading. Ask children to sign their artwork, add to your shopping list, take messages and make their own books and cards as gifts.