Accelerated Reader (AR) Books

Today your child will be bringing home an AR book. I just want to let everyone know what an AR book is and how we will use them in class.

An AR book is a book that has a comprehension test that your child can take after the book has been read and points are earned based on the number of questions answered correctly. There are 5 questions that are given in a multiple choice format with 4 choices. I ask the students to read the book 3 times before they take a test. The test is graded and points are given. Your child will start with "black dot" books. These are the easiest books with lots of sight words and limited vocabulary. If your child answers all the questions correctly, they will earn .5 points. It takes 5 points to earn the first reading tag. So it takes at least 10 books to earn the 5 points.

This is voluntary. I will not set a required number of points to earn for the class. You may want to set a goal with your child but that is up to you.

I don't want the AR books to take the place of reading good stories to your children. As I said before, the vocabulary is very limited, so that a beginning reader can read it, but this makes the content of the story also very limited. I still want your children to hear great stories with rich vocabulary. I think both things are needed to help your child become good readers and writers.

Your child will bring home a slip of paper with the library book. You can help your child read the book. There will be words they don't know. When you are satisfied that your child is ready to take the test, return the book and the signed paper and I will let your child test. Someone will read the test to the children, but they have to be able to select the correct answer. You may want to ask your child some questions about the book before it is returned.

If you have any questions, let me know. Some of the kids are very excited about this and are more than ready to get started. If your child really isn't interested yet, don't panic. We need to give those kids a little more time.

Thanks for all the help you are already giving at home. I don't want anyone to stress out about this. Have fun reading with your child.