Accelerated Reader (AR) is an important part of our reading program at Acme and in my classroom. This program helps students to choose appropriate books at their reading level, to take comprehension quizzes after they complete the book, and a chance to score points toward their AR goal.

Students are assessed as to their reading comprehension level. With this information the student is given a range to help them choose books appropriate for their reading level. Each AR book is rated according to difficulty making it easy for students to choose just the right book.

Each AR book that has a corresponding quiz is worth a certain amount of points. When students are done reading a book, they then take a quiz on the computer and are awarded points for passing the quiz. Students can earn full points for correctly answering 10 comprehension questions.

Each trimester students and I meet to choose an appropriate point goal for their reading ability.  Students should be reading and taking quizzes each day to meet this goal by the end of the trimester. Homework is to read for a minimum of 30 minutes each night to reach their trimester goal.

AR books are so readily available that there is literally no excuse for being without a book. In fact, I expect that students always have a book ready to read at school each day. So, where are these books?

1. Acme Library-So many good ones to choose from!

2. My classroom library-Also a plentiful selection.

3. Deming Library and Bookmobile- Both of these locations have a list of our AR books and quizzes so that students can check the AR status when they check out books. 

There are many ways you can help your child to improve their reading skills while helping them to meet their AR goal. Here are some helpful hints:

1. Help your child to establish a regular homework time and routine during the week.

2. Encourage them to check out AR books in their reading range. Both the Deming library and the Bookmobile have AR lists and books.

3. Read with them in a variety of different ways. Have them read a page, you read a page. Have them read silently and you ask them questions when they are done. Read to them. Listen to a book on tape together.

4. If they don't want to read together, have them keep a log of the book they are reading, the pages read, and the main events or ideas of the passage.

You get the idea! The main thing is that you let your child know that you are interested in their AR reading in whatever way that suits you both.

The most important thing is that reading is a routine that you both are invested in, and something that you can share together.