Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader
What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?
AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice allowing children to make consistent progress in their reading throughout KS2.
How Does AR Work?
Your child picks a book at their own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz (in school) on the computer - passing the quiz is an indication that your child has understood what has been read.
Since they are reading books at their own reading and interest levels, most children are likely to be successful and enjoy the books and quizzes. Best of all they learn and grow at their own pace.
AR gives both children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.
The STAR reading test, along with teacher judgement assists us in identifying a child’s ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) range.
What is a Star Reading Test?
Star Reading is an online test used to measure your child’s reading level. The test uses multiple-choice questions and takes around 20 minutes.
What is a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
After your child takes a STAR reading test, the teacher will assess the results and give them a ZPD reading range. The range aims to challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation.
How do Students Select Books?
Accelerated Reader includes over 30,000 books. These can be found in the school library as well as public libraries, books shops, homes, etc.
School Library
School Library
Books on the Accelerated Reader scheme are clearly marked with colour coded dots to indicate which ZPD range they are in and have clear labels inside each book cover containing the book's Book Level, Quiz Number, Points and Interest Level.
AR BookFinder
You can also visit AR BookFinder™ to conduct a search of all available books with AR quizzes.
SLS eBook and eAudio Platform
School Library Service (SLS) eBook and eAudio Platform.
Log on to the Portsmouth School Library Service eBook and eAudio platform and start reading and listening to some FANTASTIC books!
(get your login details from your class teacher)
Click HERE for pupil Instructions
Each book is assigned three scores to help your child make a suitable choice:
Book Level
Book Levels represent the difficulty of the text. The Star Reading test tells your child what range of Book Levels to read within. This is called the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
Points
Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. AR Points are computed based on the difficulty of the book and the length of the book. Children earn points, or a portion of a book’s points, depending on how well they do on the Reading Practice Quiz.
Books are assigned Points based on their word count. Points are earned by passing quizzes. Students are set personalised targets each term by their teacher.
Interest Level
The Interest Level indicates which age group a book is suitable for. It does this based on the content and themes.
What are Quizzes?
When your child has finished reading a book they will be given time to take a quiz independently on a computer. Depending on the book level the quiz will take around 5-10 minutes to complete. The results are calculated and shown to the child instantly. We aim for all quizzes to be taken within 48 hours of finishing a book.
| Your child can take a quiz when: | |
|---|---|
| They have read a book independently | |
| A teacher has read a book to them, e.g. class novel | |
| They have read a book with someone, e.g. parent, teaching assistant. |
There are two main types of quizzes your child will take:
Reading Practice Quizzes
Reading Practice Quizzes are the most common type of assessment in AR. The purpose of these quizzes is to determine whether your child has read a book, to measure your child’s literal comprehension of the book and to provide immediate feedback. Each Reading Practice Quiz consists of 3, 5, 10 or 20 multiple-choice questions depending on book level and length.
Vocabulary Practice Quizzes
Vocabulary Practice Quizzes measure a child’s command of vocabulary words encountered while reading. They are designed to reinforce vocabulary acquisition, assist with individualising vocabulary instruction and generate your child’s interest in words through authentic, in-context literature experiences. Quizzes include 5, 10 or 15 words from a particular book as well as review words from previously read books.
Rewards & Prizes
Children who achieve 100 Accelerated Reader quiz points will receive a Stamshaw Junior School leather bookmark.
Each book has a word count recorded and there will be a special certificate and named star on our 'millionaires row' in the school library for any child who manages to read over a million words.
How Can I Help?
As with anything, performance improves with practice. We provide lots of opportunities for reading in school, but you can help by encouraging reading at home too.
| How can I help my child become a better reader? | |
|---|---|
| Make time for them to read at home. Children need to read for at least 20 minutes every day to improve their reading ability. | |
| Encourage your child to read with you and/or discuss what they have read. A child may be able to decode and read the words but may not have understood it, so asking questions about the book is important. | |
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Find suitable books for your child at AR Bookfinder. Use the Search function to look for specific titles or topics, or go to Advanced Search to browse for books within your child’s ZPD and interest level. |
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| Logging on to Home Connect with your child at home is a great way to discuss the books they have read and their overall progress in reading. Contact the school for further details. | |
| Visit your local library. |