Accelerated Reader
Welcome to the Accelerated Reader School Page.
What is Accelerate Reader?
Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps teachers and teaching assistants (TA) manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Your child picks a book at his own level and reads it at his own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read.) Accelerated Reader gives children, teachers, and TA's feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.
Children using Accelerated Reader choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.
Teachers and TA's help your child choose books at an appropriate readability level that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring that your child can pass the quiz and experience success.
If your child does not do well on the quiz, the teacher or TA may help your child:
- Choose another book that is more appropriate.
- Ask more probing questions as your child reads and before your child takes a quiz.
- Pair your child with another student, or even have the book read to your child.
In most cases, children really enjoy taking the quizzes. Since they’re reading books at their reading and interest levels, they are likely to be successful. This is satisfying for most children. Best of all, they learn and grow at their own pace.
How much will my child read during the school day?
According to research, children who read at least 30 minutes a day with a 90% comprehension rate (average percent correct) on Accelerated Reader quizzes see the greatest gains. Therefore, your child should have at least 30 minutes set aside for reading during each school day. They should also read at home to reach their full potential.
How can I help my child become a better reader?
As with anything, performance improves with practice. Encourage your child to read at home. Create a culture of reading in your household by reading with your child, starting a home library, visiting your local library or bookstore on a regular basis, letting your child see you reading, and discussing books that each of you has read. When reading with your child, stop and ask questions to be sure your child is comprehending what is read. Reading with your child, no matter what the child’s age, is an important part of developing a good reader, building a lifelong love of reading and learning, and creating a loving relationship between you and your child. Make learning a family affair!
What is my child doesn't like reading?
Using Accelerated Reader, your child will choose the books he wants to read. The teacher or TA will make certain the book is at the right level so that after completing the book, your child should do well on the Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz. Success on the quiz will encourage your child to read more. With guidance from the teacher or TA, and success, even students who say they don’t like reading will develop a love of reading. Teachers will also be rewarding dojo points for excellent reading and we will be having celebration assemblies in school where books are rewarded as prizes.
How does the school determine my child's reading level?
Teachers determine your child’s reading level in one of three ways: a Renaissance Star Reading® test, a grade equivalent score from a standardized test, or using their best professional judgment based on their knowledge of your child.
What is a Renaissance Star Reading test?
Star Reading is a computerized reading assessment that uses computer-adaptive technology. Questions continually adjust to your child’s responses. If the child’s response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If the child misses a question, the difficulty level is reduced. The test uses multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 15 minutes.
What are points?
Every book that has an Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. Points are computed based on the difficulty of the book (ATOS readability level) and the length of the book (number of words).
What is Renaissance Home Connect?
Renaissance Home Connect improves the school-to-home connection by allowing parents, carers and students to log in to a website and view the student’s reading and maths practice and progress towards targets. Access to online results promotes discussion between parents and children, which motivates children and can make reading practice even more effective.
Accelerated Reader Home Connect