Accelerated Reader® (AR) is designed to increase reading comprehension and fluency while instilling a life-long appreciation for reading. Good readers practice reading a lot. AR is a reading practice program.

Students read books that they have chosen. The key is that the teacher monitors the reading grade-level of the books to make sure that they are within the Zone of Proximal Development (Z. P. D.) for each particular student. The Z. P. D. is generally around one to two grade-level years below the tested reading comprehension level. This allows for maximum development while reducing the frustration of failure. Frequently, the reading comprehension score on standardized tests is near the failure point for most learners. Therefore, we encourage students to choose books in which they are interested and can enjoy reading.

Most learners will read a book every two weeks. This is a general guideline for the intermediate grades. Primary readers will read more books because they are shorter - the books, that is. The key is that each student is reading his/her own book. Intermediate students should read at home every day for 30 minutes - at least. Primary ( Kindergarten through 3rd grade ) students read independently in the range of 0 to 30 minutes, depending on the individual reading ability of each student. This is in addition to the reading time in class. Each book has a point value and a quiz on the computer. The students earn a certain percentage of points depending on how well they do on the quizzes. The quizzes are geared to recalling the plot and some details of the story.

There are also literacy skills tests, which test a student's knowledge of various reading skills related to a particular novel. These tests are much more in depth. They test initial understanding, literary analysis, and inferential comprehension skills. At MHT, the 5th and 6th grade novels are tested through this manner. The class will read a novel, discuss it, and have mini-lessons, called power lessons, about various aspects of the novel before taking the AR literacy skills test.

Currently, MHT is utilizing the AR program in the resource classroom and grades 1st through 6th. Research has shown that when AR is used in conjunction with a reading skills curriculum, learners' reading comprehension scores improve. More importantly, kids read more good books.

AR Lists