First Grade AR Points
October-4 pts. Approximately 8 books
November-4 pts. Approximately 8 books
December-4 pts.
January-6 pts.
February-6
March-
April-
May-
AR POP PARTIES
Treats/Extra Recess
October-Soda Pop
November-Tootsie Pops
December-Popcorn
January-Pop Tarts
February-Blow Pops
March-Soda Pop
April-Popcorn
May-Popsicles
Accelerated Reader
What is Accelerated Reader?
The Accelerated Reader program is a program in which students read books and take tests over those books to receive points. The purpose of the Accelerated Reader program is to improve students' comprehension skills, fluency, and increase their desire to read. It also gives me feedback on your child's reading level.
How does Accelerated Reader Work in the Classroom?
Each month, our students will read books and take tests. These tests will earn them points toward a monthly goal. The higher the comprehension score, the higher the point amount. Here at Heritage Trails, we have set a monthly goal of 3 points. October/November is an exception as it is a combined goal. As our students grow and progress in their reading fluency, our monthly point goals may increase.
Monthly Goal Rewards!
At the end of each month, the students that have reached their goal for the month will get to participate in the monthly goal celebration. October’s celebration will be a Soda Pop Party. Students will receive a soda, an extra recess and a certificate for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut to celebrate their hard work reading throughout the month.
AR Readiness Chart
Students and parents can track their reading with a monthly AR Readiness Chart which will be kept in your student’s STAR Folder. This chart is a way for us to communicate between home and school concerning your child’s reading. On the chart, you will find the following categories:
Title/Author –Be sure to write the correct title and author’s name. This helps us to find the correct comprehension test for your student.
Student Opinion-Your student can choose a smiley face or a sad face to show how he/she liked the book. We want to keep our student’s interest high and this feedback can help us to guide their book selections.
Difficulty Level-At the end of your reading, parents can rate the book as TH-too hard, TE-Too Easy or JR-Just Right. This will allow us to help your child find a book that is a good fit for their current reading level. We want our readers to feel successful!
Comments-This is a place for parents and teachers to communicate any comments, questions or concerns regarding your child’s reading progress.
Ready to Test-Before a book is tested over, we recommend that the book be read more than once to make sure comprehension has taken place. It is important that your child feel confident about the story. Once a test is taken, it can not be taken again. Once you feel your child is ready, mark the box and we will help your child test over that book.
Percentages-A percentage score for comprehension is given at the end of the test. Based off of this percentage, AR points are awarded. Your child must receive a score of 60% or above to pass. However, the lower the percentage, the lower the amount of AR points awarded for that book.
A.R. Points-We will document how many points are earned for each test. This will help you know how many points your child has and how many he/she will need to reach the monthly goal.
Ways To Read
AR will ask your child how each book was read. Here are the options for reading:
RT-Read To
This includes picture books and chapter books that you read aloud to your child. The parent does the reading and the child is simply listening to the story.
RW-Read With
This choice is for books read with your first grader. You read a little, they read a little. You can help with many of the words but both you and your child are reading.
RI-Read Independently
This means your child was able to read the book by himself with little to no assistance from you.
Reading at Home
As a general rule and part of your child's homework, your child should be reading every night. To reach our minimum goal, students should be ready to test 2 AR books per week. Students will mostly likely need to read the book more than once to insure they comprehended the book and can do well on the AR test. Parents –you can quiz your child after he/she has read the book to check their comprehension. Our first graders should be reading AT LEAST 20 MINUTES A NIGHT.
Reading Levels
We are developing a color coded system in our library that will help your child find a book in their current reading level. We will be able to say “go choose a pink sticker book” which they will be able to find in the “pink” section. As our library is brand new, that coding is not yet complete. In the meantime, our students have learned a Five Finger Rule. I have attached this rule to this packet. It might be helpful to discuss this with your child. This Five Finger test helps your child pick out a book that is neither too hard nor too easy for him or her to read.
To explain the AR levels your child is reading, here is how the book levels are broken down. Each book level is on the spine of all of our library books.
0.0 - 0.9 books are at the Kindergarten Level
1.0 - 1.9 books are at the First Grade Level
2.0 - 2.9 books are at the Second Grade Level
and so on...
1.1 - is what a First Grader in the first month of first grade should be able to read
1.2 is what a First Grader in the second month of first grade should be able to read
and so on...
AR Book Selection
Your child will be given ample opportunities to check out books from our school library throughout the week. Each child is allowed to have two books checked out at one time. In first grade, we are asking our students to choose one “just for fun” book on any topic or reading level and one book that they can read own their own. Please remember, if your child does not bring their library book back, they WILL NOT get to check out another book. It is very important that your child is held responsible for the books he or she checks out from the library and returns them promptly.
You may also check out books from the public library. You can check the internet by clicking on the link below to see if the books you got at the public library are AR books.
Finally, your child may read the books that you might have at home.
To check if your books are one of our AR books, check out the following link:
ookfind.com/default.aspx
Opportunities To Test
In first grade, most of our students still need the test read aloud to them. Each test takes about 5-7 minutes for log in and testing. We are in need of volunteers to come and read tests. You can volunteer to be a reader for our class or simply come read the test to your child. Tests can be taken during our morning work times 8:45-9:15 and from 3:00-3:30. Occasionally, there will be extra computer labs times. See your child’s teacher for details. Please let us know if you would like to volunteer.
In addition to these times, we will have evening times each month for you and your child to come and read books and take a test. We will have books available from our library as well as access to the computer lab. Watch your weekly newsletters for dates and times.