Accelerated+Reading+-+AR

We use Accelerated Reading to achieve the following goals

 * Being able to select a book independently. We want that to incorporate both the students ability to select a book that s/he is able to read, but also that will be enjoyable.
 * Practice makes perfect! The more that children read the more success they have, the more likely they are to READ!
 * Firm up their skill level so that we can build on that in class.

Tools for parents to track how your child is doing with AR.
On our homepage http://www.westmeade.net click on AR Homeconnect to find out how your student did on their AR test that day. You can click on the AR Bookfinder link to discover the reading level of a book at the public library or in your own collection to determine if it is in your child's reading range and how many points they will get from reading the book. There is even a link there that lets you help your child determine if they are meeting their goals. It lets you see by their grade level and time spent reading with you how many points they might expect to earn in a 9 week period.

The average book for a second grader is worth 1/2 to one point depending on level and difficulty. Figure if you read two short books a week your student should earn about 1 point a week and in 9 weeks -- 9 points would accrue. BUT each child is an individual. If students have trouble connecting the text to the test --- they won't earn that many points (full points assume that they get 100% on the 5 question test). In a case like that the goal is to help the child feel successful and continue to read, so in a case like that I set the bar a little lower. These are not hard and fast rules. These are set on the basis of individual gifts and talents and needs!