What
is Accelerated Reader?
Who can use Accelerated Reader?
What
book titles are available in Briarcliff's AR program?
How
does Accelerated Reader work?
How does AR assign levels and points?
How
do I choose a book?
How many times can I take a quiz on one book?
When
and where can I take a quiz?
How many AR quizzes should I take?
How will my parents and I
know how I am doing?
Are there any
recognition/awards programs associated with AR at Briarcliff?
What is Accelerated Reader? (Back to Top)
AR is a computerized reading management program that Briarcliff uses as a supplement for the reading curriculum. Some of our teachers make extensive use of the program while others encourage reading in different ways. The Accelerated Reader program is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Students select books on their reading level, read independently or with a buddy, and take an independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. Students get a percentage of these points based on how many of the test questions they get right. The program tracks their progress over the course of the school year.
Who can use Accelerated Reader? (Back to Top)
All students in grades 1-5 are eligible and encouraged to use AR. Kindergarteners are added at their teacher's discretion.
What book titles are available in Briarcliff's AR program? (Back to Top)
Briarcliff uses the Accelerated Reader Enterprise version of AR. This allows us access to all AR quizzes ever created! There are over 100,000 quizzes available ranging from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Students are able to search the AR Enterprise database at school or at home to determine if the book they are reading has a companion quiz.
How does Accelerated Reader work? (Back to Top)
- Select a book. In our media center, AR books are easily identified by the blue dot on the spine. Since we now have access to all AR quizzes, however, we are in the process of updating our collection with blue dots. If you are interested in taking a quiz on a book without a blue dot, look in the AR database online to see if a quiz exists.
- Read the book.
- Take a quiz on the computer to check your comprehension. Tests are multiple choice featuring 5, 10, or 20 questions. Each question offers four choices. The computer shows how many questions are answered correctly, shows questions missed along with the correct answer(s), and awards points.
How does AR assign levels and points? (Back to Top)
The "Book Level" is an approximate grade level. For instance, a Book Level of 2.2 indicates a book appropriate for the second month of the second grade. Please bear in mind that there are many methods for determining book level, all of which give slightly different answers. Therefore, this number is approximate and should be used as a general guide for book selection only. These levels do not correspond with any leveling scale employed by WCPSS or the NC Department of Public Instruction.
The book level and the length of the book determine the number of points. A shorter book will have a lower point value. Remember that two 5-point books are the same as one 10-point book!
How do I choose a book? (Back to Top)
Pick a book that is interesting to you! Read the blurb of the book. Ask other students in your class what book(s) they read and liked. Ask your librarian and/or teachers for suggestions.
How many times can I take a quiz on one book? (Back to Top)
You can take the quiz only once! You want to take the test as soon as you finish your book so that you can remember important details from the book. Once you choose an answer to a question and click on "OK", you cannot change your answer. You cannot skip an answer either.
When and where can I take a quiz? (Back to Top)
You can take the quiz in your classroom. Sometimes, with your teacher's and media specialist's permission, you may take a quiz in the media center. You and one of your parents can come to the media center before or after school so you can take a quiz.
How many AR quizzes should I take? (Back to Top)
You may use the AR program as often as you want. Sometimes you and your teacher may decide how many quizzes you must take.
How will my parents and I know how I am doing? (Back to Top)
You can print out a reading record to take home. Also, your teacher can print out a reading record telling how often and how well you are using the program.
If you have access to a computer at home, you can log on to HomeConnect, AR Enterprise's database for home access to information about your child's quiz record. All you need is your child's username and password. HomeConnect also lists all of the AR Quizzes available in the database. Remember, though, that no AR tests can be taken from home! The HomeConnect link is also available from the Accelerated Reader icon on the Media Center Web Page.
Are there any recognition/awards programs associated with AR at Briarcliff? (Back to Top)
While the goal of AR is to make children readers rather than simply to make children read, we realize the value of extrinsic motivation. The media specialist and the PTA work together to recognize various reading levels by awarding prizes, certificates, and other forms of recognition. Teachers may choose to recognize readers separately in their classrooms, also. Please check with the media specialist and the classroom teacher for specific details.