ALL ABOUT ACR
What is it? ACR stands for Accelerated Reader. This is an individual reading program in which students read a library book and then take a comprehension quiz on the computer based on the contents of the book. This program is a supplemental program to our Reading Curriculum.
Who is involved? Grades 1-8 participate in the program. Kindergarten classes come on board with the program sometime during the school year at the teacher’s discretion.
Are all library books ACR books? All of our fiction titles and non-fiction titles have ACR quizzes available, with the exception of a few poetry books. Presently we have over 120,000 different quizzes for various books at various levels and new tests are added weekly.
How do we know if a book is an ACR book? Our Website (icdschool.org) has a link to the AR Bookfinder site. You can access this site from any where. It is www.arbookfind.com
How do we know a child’s reading range? Every child in 2nd through 8th grade is tested through a standardized test called the Star Reading Program to determine their reading range. The range provides each student with a wide spand of reading levels so he/she can be challenged without being frustrated. The child should read within the range for success. Please also be mindful of the interest level listed for each book to ensure age appropriate material.
Percentage of Accuracy: The optimal score for a test is between 85-92%. If a child is getting above 92% consistently the book may be too easy or the content too short. The level may be too hard for a child if s/he consistently scores below 85%.
What are ACR Points? Each ACR book has been assigned a point value by Renaissance Learning. Based on the child’s percentage correct on the quiz, points are earned. For example, a 2.2 level book may be worth 1 point. If the child scores an 80% on the quiz, s/he may receive .8 points. Points are determined by the number of words in the book, not by the difficulty.
What happens with the ACR Points? We have several incentives for the points. These include:
Challenges: As a school, we keep a running total of our accumulated points. A school challenge is set yearly such as, “if the students reach 50,000 points, the principals will …” The progress of this challenge is posted and updated often. In addition, students work for points towards quarterly goals.
Quarterly Goals: Students in grades 2nd – 8th will receive quarterly goals determined by Renaissance Learning based on their reading ranges. At the end of each quarter students are rewarded for their progress they made towards that quarter’s goal. Incentives are chosen and implemented by the teachers. Reaching goals are determined by points, accuracy and reading within the students reading range. Goals in grades 3 through 8 are a percentage of the student’s grade.
Game Days: Nearly monthly, we celebrate reading with “Game Days”. On Game Days the students may wear their special ACR Game Day T-shirt with uniform bottoms. The dates for Game Day are posted on the school calendar.
In addition, grades K-1 celebrate reading on Game Days with reading related activities such as a “celebrity reader”.
The 2-4 grades enjoy the following accumulated point value incentives on Game Day:
5 points=Wall of Fame Sticker, 10 points=ACR pencil, 25 points= Dress Down Pass, 75 points=Balloon & bookmark, 100 points=Game Ball, 150 points= Lunch in the faculty room.
The 5-6 grades enjoy the following percentage of quarterly goal value incentives on Game Day: 50% of goal met = homework pass and No card drawn at lunch, 100% of goal met = choice of bottoms with Game Day shirt.
The 7-8 grades have the following percentage of quarterly goal value incentives on Game Day: 50% of goal met=homework pass, 100% of goal met = choice of bottoms with Game Day shirt.
What is the parent role in this program? The answer is easy. READ WITH YOUR CHILDREN, encourage the program, monitor your child’s progress, and ask us questions when you do not understand things.
KEYS to the SUCCESS of this program:
1. Reading Time: We strive to give each child reading time during each school day. In addition, the child MUST read at home as well. If reading is the most important academic skill needed, we must allow time for it to flourish.
2. Computer Time for Quiz taking: Each classroom is equipped with computers for taking quizzes. All students may take quizzes in any of their classrooms, in the technology lab or in the library.
3. Books: We strive to continually purchase additional ACR books. In addition, we strongly encourage parents to use the public library. Nearly all the books can be obtained at the public library.