Saraland Elementary School

What is Accelerated Reader?

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a reading incentive program that provides students with reading practice in comprehension each time a book is completed. Students read a book and then take a quiz based on that book. It is somewhat like an "electronic book report", without the student being required to write pages and pages of information and never quite getting to the point. This program is an enrichment tool that gives the students, teachers, and parents additional incentives to help motivate students to read.

The program allows students to work at "their" instructional reading level. Then, as their understanding improves, their level will move up until the child is reading at or above grade level. Children love AR because they take their quizzes on a computer and they get their results immediately. Most of all, they enjoy being successful.

Each nine weeks your child's teacher will issue a book level range and goal to your child and they will choose a book/s that are within his/her personal ZPD range (Zone of Proximal Development-explained below) and read the book at his/her own pace. After the book is completed, he/she will take a quiz based on the book. AR points are earned based on the book he/she chose to read. AR points are then accumulated, and if the goal is reached (points and percentage), your child will receive a reward at the end of each nine week period. 

The Accelerated Reader Program also provides teachers with a creative means of motivating every student, even the reluctant reader, to read, therefore increasing the child's fluency, and improving their comprehension while developing students who truly love to read. 

What is a ZPD range?

ZPD stands for "Zone of Proximal Development". The "Zone of Proximal Development" is a practical, common sense guide for insuring student reading success. Setting reading goals within a child's ZPD reading range provides challenge and support as the child progresses toward greater competence. The ZPD is determined by a child's score on the I-Ready reading diagnostic test. This test determines the child's ZPD range and the instructional reading level of the student.

If a child reads books within his/her personal ZPD range, they can be assured of success, and feel self-confident that they will succeed.

What can I do as a parent to help my child succeed in the Accelerated Reader Program?

The more a child reads, the greater his/her ability to learn in all academic areas. The more self-assured he/she becomes, the greater his/her self-confidence and self-worth.

TWI is an important part of the Accelerated Reader Program. TWI stands for "reading to", reading with, and "reading independently". Remember...."to", "with", and "independently", those are the ways a child can read. A child can be read "to" by a parent, grandparent, or sibling. They can read "with" a family member or a friend, or they can read "independently". The whole family will benefit!

You can help your child find the level of books that are interesting to him/her at AR Bookfinder.  

Please get on the Accelerated Reader bandwagon..... With a little help, your child will make giant strives in reading!