How does AR work?
1. Your child is given the AR STAR TEST to determine their GE or grade equilvalency score. For example if your child has a GE of 4.4 then their test performance is comparable to that of an average fourth grader.
2. This test also determines their ZPD (zone of proximal development) for independent reading. For example a ZPD for a GE average of 4.4 is ZPD 3.2 - 4.9. What is that? Well the ZPD is the book level that a child will be able to read.
3. Our school library books are color coded so the students can tell what the ZPD (book level) of the book is at a glance. Every student has an AR Folder. This folder tells the student and the librarian what ZPD or book level that child is able to read and what book level they can check out.
Purple - 6.0 and above ZPD
Orange - 5.0 - 5.9 ZPD
Red - 4.0 - 4.9 ZPD
Green 3.0 - 3.09 ZPD
Blue 2.0 - 2.9 ZPD
Yellow 0.1 - 1.9 ZPD
3. The student read the book. Teachers suggest the students read the book two to three times prior to taking the TEST on the book. Once the test is taken, a score is given and there is no second chance. The student must score well the first time they take the test. The computer will NOT allow them to re-take the test. The test is multiple choice and is usually ten questions long.
4. Each book is assigned a number of points depending how difficult or long the book is. For example some books are worth 0.5 points, others are worth 12.0 points. Once the student has taken the test he is given points based on how he/she did on the test. If they score a 100% then they are given the entire amount of points. If not, then they are given a lesser amount of points based on their score.
5. The student's AR goal is set every nine weeks. This goal represents the amount of points the student should earn based on their test scores. Remember the more books they read, the more points they will earn. But! They must keep their grade at an 85% or better to earn incentives. Rushing and then getting a failing grade is a waste of time, and if they fail the test they receive NO points for the book.
6. Students with the most AR points and an 85% average or above are announced on the intercom every week. Mrs. Lasoya, our libarian, also gives incentives for the students who meet or exceed their AR goals at the end of every nine weeks. Mrs. Lasoya gives goodie bags, popcorn, juice, and a movie, etc.
7. The ultimate prize for the most AR points is the TROPHY at the end of the year! Each grade level chooses the student with the most AR points and an average of 85% or above and that student will recieve a trophy for that grade level. How exciting! |   TOP TEN AR STARS!
(as of 12/6/2012) 1. Marcus
2. Joe 3. David 4. Alyssa 5. Alex 6. Rebecca 7. Abraham 8. Victoria 9. 10. |
