PROGRAM
ACCELERATED READER
PROGRAM
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| STAR READER INFORMATION |
ACCELERATED READER INFORMATION
THE
MAIN IDEA
The program is based on the principle that practice improves reading. It combines computer technology – Accelerated Reader – with a set of sound teaching strategies in a new and effective way.
It can be used as a supplemental reading program that manages student reading practice or it can be central to the reading curriculum. Students given extended reading practice in classroom every day achieve two years or more of reading growth in one school year.
HOW DOES IT WORK
Extended period of time are set aside each day for reading practice, ranging from thirty minutes in kindergarten to sixty or more minutes in years three and up. After finishing a book, students take an Accelerated Reader Reading Practice quiz, which is a brief check of reading comprehension.
FORMULA
TWI + LIS + RMS + MIMI = READING RENAISSANCE.
TWI stands for Reading To, Reading With and Reading Independently.
LIS stands for Learning Information System, (the computer software – Acc Read)
RMS stands for Reading Motivation System, (techniques which encourage students to read)
STUDENT LEVELS
Over 200 students are enrolled in the Accelerated Reading Program, starting at Year 2 to Year 6. A few Year 1 students who had developed adequate reading skills were also included in the program in the later half of the year.
STAR
READING – Computer-Adaptive Reading Test and Database
Before commencing reading from the Accelerated Reading resources, students complete a Computer Generated Multi-Choice question program which ascertains the Student’s Reading Levels.
Students log in to Star Reader and complete three practice questions. The software program then generates a random 25 multiple-choice questionnaire. At completion the teacher produces a Diagnostic Report which indicates the ZPD (zone of proximal development) level. The range eg 2.5-3.5 indicates a reading level which is not to easy and not too difficult. Ideally, the Diagnostic test should be done four times a year to monitor student’s reading levels. If the result shows an increase in the ZPD range student’s move up to a higher reading level.
Attached are the first and last 2007 Diagnostic Report figures for perusal. It is clear that the Accelerated Reading Program is instrumental in improving student’s reading and literacy levels.
TASKS for TEACHER/S
- At beginning of Year, student’s names have to be entered into allotted classes.
- The current school year dates must be entered
- Add any new students to the system
- Enrol students in the correct classes
- Choose password required for testing
- Diagnostic tests should be implemented
- Reports generated and distributed to teachers
- Reading levels discussed with students and if they are new to the system, Librarian or teacher needs to show them where the books are, how to identify their reading level, and what they should do once reading is finished
- Students need to identify the Accelerated Reader icon and complete the steps to do a quiz. New students must be stepped through this process several times.
- Goals need to be set to challenge students to increase their reading and understanding of resources
- Regular reports should be generated when students have earned a new certificate level
ONGOING TASKS
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Performing a weekly Data Doctor check
- Performing a fortnightly check on new Certificates earned, then listing and printing them. Takes approximately an hour each week
- Updating new students
- Printing regular reports
- Dealing with problems that occur from time to time due to students incorrectly accessing program or starting the wrong quiz.
- Unlocking student’s passwords when they have incorrectly entered them several times and are locked out of the program
- Installing STAR READER and ACCELERATED READER program on new computers
- Networking computers to share the data location
- Entering School year and term dates
- Adding new classes, teachers and students
- Checking existing resources for books that can now be ordered as quizzes
- Updating computer, labels and stickers to include new resources in the Accelerated Reader area of Library
- Checking Renaissance website for books of a particular reader level to include in Accelerated Reader area of Library
- Finding Book Supplier which can supply these resources
- Ordering new Accelerated Reader resources
- Accessioning new resources, updating computer, labelling, covering and shelving new resources
END OF YEAR
- Print out a Student Report for each student in each class
- Print a Certificate Report for each class
- Prepare a Comparison Report for Diagnostic tests run throughout the year
- Unenrol students from Accelerated Reader and Star Reader programs
- Delete students and their records that are leaving the school
The program has been funded by the PSP program. This will not happen in 2008, so hopefully it can be funded by some other program.
STUDENT WINNERS 2007
Dyllon - Year 6 |
Georgia - Year 5 |
Amy - Year |
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Josh (at right) won a special award for cleaning and maintaining the fish tank and its contents throughout the year. It is based in the Library |
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