Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní

We are thrilled to be an Accelerated Reader school. Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps teachers and parents to manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Your child picks a book at his / her own level and reads it at his / her own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read. Accelerated Reader gives children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

Children using Accelerated Reader choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.

Teachers help your child choose books at an appropriate readability level that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring that your child can pass the quiz and experience success.

 

If your child does not do well on the quiz, the teacher may help your child:

• Choose another book that is more appropriate.
• Ask more probing questions as your child reads and before your child takes a quiz.
• Pair your child with another student, or even have the book read to your child.

In most cases, children really enjoy taking the quizzes. Since they’re reading books at their reading and interest levels, they are likely to be successful. This is satisfying for most children. Best of all, they learn and grow at their own pace.

 

How can I help my child become a better reader?

As with anything, performance improves with practice. Encourage your child to read at home. Create a culture of reading in your household by reading with your child, letting your child see you reading, and discussing books that each of you has read.

When reading with your child, stop and ask questions to be sure your child is comprehending what is read. Reading with your child, no matter what the child’s age, is an important part of developing a good reader, building a lifelong love of reading and learning, and creating a loving relationship between you and your child. Make learning a family affair!

 

What if my child doesn't like reading?

Using Accelerated Reader, your child will choose the books he / she wants to read. The teacher will make certain the book is at the right level so that after completing the book, your child should do well on the Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz. Success on the quiz will encourage your child to read more. With guidance from the teacher and success, even students who say they don’t like reading will develop a love of reading.

 

Will my child have to read a book I don’t want him / her to read?

No. There are many, many choices of books at your child’s level. There are a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books available.

 

I’m concerned that my child will be unfairly compared to others.

Then you’ll really like Accelerated Reader because it helps the teacher work with each child individually. Students using Accelerated Reader are encouraged to progress at their own pace and set their own goals with the help of the teacher. The aim of Accelerated Reader is for all children to succeed in achieving their goals. Children are not aware of each other’s targets.

 

How does the school determine my child’s reading level?

Teachers determine your child’s reading level in one of three ways: a Renaissance Star Reading® test, a grade equivalent score from a standardised test such as the Drumcondra, or using their best professional judgment based on their knowledge of your child.

 

What is a Renaissance Star Reading® test?

Star Reading is a computerised reading assessment that uses computer-adaptive technology. Questions continually adjust to your child’s responses. If the child’s response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If the child misses a question, the difficulty level is reduced. The test uses multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 15 minutes.

 

What is a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?

In independent literature-based reading, ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Your child will receive a ZPD range after taking a Star Reading test, or teachers can use their best professional judgment to determine a ZPD. The ZPD and the GE (Grade Equivalent) score from the Star Reading test will show up in Accelerated Reader, making it easier for teachers to set goals for students. It’s important for children to read with a high degree of comprehension and within their ZPDs. ZPDs should be adjusted based on the needs of your child.

 

What is an ATOS® book level?

Book levels are reported using the ATOS readability formula and represent the difficulty of the text. For example, an ATOS book level of 4.5 means that the text could likely be read by a student whose reading skills are at the level of a typical fourth class child during the fifth month of school.

 

What are points?

Every book that has an Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. Points are computed based on the difficulty of the book (ATOS readability level) and the length of the book (number of words).

For example, the Berenstain Bears books, which are about 1,000 words long and have an average ATOS book level of 3.5, are 0.5-point books. Hank the Cowdog, which is about 23,000 words long and has an average ATOS book level of 4.5, is a 3-pointbook. The Sun Also Rises, about 70,000 words long and at an ATOS book level of 4.4, is a 10-point book.

Children earn points, or a portion of a book’s points, depending on how well they do on the Reading Practice Quiz. For example, a child who takes a 5-question quiz on a book worth 1 point will earn 1 point for 5 correct answers (100%), 0.8 point for 4 correct answers (80%), etc. A child who reads a book worth 5 points and takes a 10-question quiz will earn 5 points for 10 correct answers (100%), 4.5 points for 9 correct answers (90%), etc. For quizzes with 3, 5, or 10 questions, a child needs to pass a quiz with a score of 60% or higher to earn points. For quizzes with 20 questions, a child needs to pass with a score of 70% or higher to earn points.

You may notice that some popular books have more points assigned to them than some classic pieces of literature. Tom Clancy’s Executive Orders, for example, is a 78-point book while Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a 4-point book. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean we think Executive Orders is a better book or more worthwhile to read than Macbeth, only that—at 458,453 words versus 19,048 words—it is much longer and provides more reading practice time.

 

How are Accelerated Reader point goals set?

Based on extensive research, we can provide guidelines for the approximate number of Accelerated Reader points children should be able to earn depending on how much time they read and their reading level. Monitoring Accelerated Reader points earned by children and comparing them to the guideline values enables your child’s teacher to determine how well your child is using the time provided for reading practice. If the school has Star Reading, students’ scores will be accessible in Accelerated Reader, making it easier for teachers to set point goals for students.

 

How many Accelerated Reader quizzes are there?

There are over 210,000 Accelerated Reader quizzes available.

 

What kinds of quizzes are there?

Accelerated Reader includes several types of quizzes designed to support the development of several reading skills.

 

Quiz types include:

• Reading Practice Quizzes are the most common type of assessment in Accelerated Reader. The purpose of these quizzes is to determine whether your child has read a book, to measure literal comprehension of the book, and to provide immediate feedback. Each Reading Practice Quiz consists of 3, 5, 10, or 20 multiple-choice questions depending on book level and length. They are available in English, Spanish, and Recorded Voice formats.

 

• Recorded Voice Quizzesare designed for beginning readers and students learning English. They are professionally recorded by a narrator who reads the quiz questions and answer choices as they appear on screen.

 

• Vocabulary Practice Quizzes measure a child’s command of vocabulary words encountered while reading. They are designed to reinforce vocabulary acquisition, assist with individualizing vocabulary instruction, and generate your child’s interest in words through authentic, in-context literature experiences. Quizzes include 5, 10, or 15 words from a particular book as well as review words from previously read books.

 

• Literacy Skills Quizzes are designed to give your child’s teacher information on specific reading skills. Questions are randomly generated from a 36- or 60-item bank, resulting in 12 or 24 quiz questions. Due to item-bank technology, Literacy Skills Quizzes can be taken up to three times. Quiz questions are based on 24 specific, higher-order reading comprehension skills from state standards, basal reading series, and standardized tests.

 

• Other Reading Quizzes are designed to give your child’s teacher information on specific reading skills. Questions are randomly generated from a 36- or 60-item bank, resulting in 12 or 24 quiz questions. Due to item-bank technology, Literacy Skills Quizzes can be taken up to three times. Quiz questions are based on 24 specific, higher-order reading comprehension skills from state standards, basal reading series, and standardized tests.

 

How will I know if a book has an Accelerated Reader quiz?

To know which quizzes your school has available, contact your child’s teacher. Every book in the schools AR Library will have an associated quiz. You can also visit the Accelerated Reader Bookfinder™ at arbookfind.com to conduct a search of all available books with Accelerated Reader quizzes.

 

How can I help my child find books that are interesting to him?

Visit arbookfind.com and click on Advanced Search. By conducting an advanced search, you can generate book lists that contain titles based on the criteria you enter such as book level, topic, interest level, fiction/nonfiction, etc.

 

Is it OK for my child to read outside of his / her reading level?

Just because a child can read the words in a book doesn’t mean the content is appropriate. The interest level of the material must be considered. Interest level is based on content—a book’s themes and ideas—and indicates for which age group a book is appropriate. The chart below shows which grades fall into each interest level.

In many cases, a book’s interest level coordinates with its book level. Hank the Cowdog, for example, the content of which is suitable for fourth-graders, has a book level of 4.5. Many books, however, have a low book level but are appropriate for upper grades and vice versa. For example, Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises has a book level of 4.4 because its sentences are short and its vocabulary is simple. The interest level, however, is UG for Upper Grades. In contrast, Arthur Throws a Tantrum has a book level of 4.9 because it contains fairly long words and sentences, but it is intended for students in the lower grades.

Interest Level	Grade Level
LG—Lower Grades	K-3
MG—Middle Grades	4-8
MG+—Middle Grades Plus	6 and up
UG—Upper Grades	9-12

 

My child already does well in school. Why does he / she need this?

Even if a child is gifted at playing a musical instrument, he / she has to practice to develop their talent. Bright children, like all children, need to be challenged. Teachers using Accelerated Reader software in their classrooms find it easy to guide each student to books that give the child both challenge and success, regardless of the child’s level.

 

My child is not a strong reader. Can he / she still use Accelerated Reader?

Accelerated Reader helps all children become better readers, from students with special needs to those who are gifted and talented. When children read books at an appropriate level, they experience success. Furthermore, teachers work with children to set appropriate goals based on each child’s reading level.

 

How will my child take a quiz?

Students take Accelerated Reader quizzes on a computer or tablet with an internet connection. Schools choose where students can take quizzes. This generally occurs using the class iPad in the classroom.

For more information talk to your child's teacher or visit https://www.renaissance.com/products/accelerated-reader/

 

If you want to take a quiz over the holidays our school AR link is:

https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/6934790