Accelerated Reader (AR) Program

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Click here to learn more Reading Renaissance and see what some Ascension Students have to say about the Accelerated Reader Program.

The Renaissance Learning (TM) - Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is designed to help accelerate reading growth. The program encourages the children to be "Read To", "Read With" or "Read Independently" AR books and take a computer based Reading Practice Quiz to assess their comprehension of the story. The feedback is immediate and constructive. The program is designed to promote individual reading, improve the children's critical thinking skills and build the intrinsic love of reading.

The program itself is simple:

  • Students read a book from the AR Reading Practice Quiz list
  • Students take the Reading Practice Quiz on the computer
  • Student and teacher receive feedback to direct ongoing reading practice.

    The AR Program has terms listed below to familiarize you with the program that your child will participate throughout their time at Ascension.

    ZPD (zone of proximal development) - the leveled range of books in which your child can read. Optimal learning takes place when students read books with readability levels that match their ZPD. ZPD estimates a range of book levels at which a student can read without becoming frustrated or under challenged. Book Levels do not correlate to grade levels. The ZPD ranges and associated colors are listed below. So if your child tells you he/she is reading a "Yellow Tag" book, they are reading books in the 0.1 - 1.9 range. If AR books are borrowed from ACS library or the classroom library, they will have a colored tag with the book level written on the binder. If you have books at home, you can check of ACS has an AR Practice Quiz for it by looking on the AR Practice Reading Quiz List

  • Book Level and Book Tag Color
    0.1 - 1.9 2.0 - 2.9 3.0 - 3.9 4.0 - 4.9
    5.0 - 5.9 6.0 - 6.9 7.0 - 7.9 8.0 - 8.9

    Reading Levels - As your child achieves each reading level, he/she will receive a certificate of achievement. To receive credit, your child must pass the Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz with a score of at least 80%.
    Ready Reader
    Accumulate 5 points through any combination of "Read To" and "Read With"
    Independent Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes for:
  • 3 books
  • 1.2 Book Level or higher
  • Accumulate 10 points (includes points for the 3 books; other points may be for "Read To" or "Read With"
  • Rising Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes for:
  • 3 books
  • 1.6 Book Level or higher
  • Accumulate 10 points
  • Super Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes for:
  • 3 books
  • 2.0 Book Level or higher
  • Worth 1 point or more each
  • Advanced Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes for:
  • 3 books
  • 3.0 Book Level or higher
  • Worth 2 points or more each
  • Star Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes for:
  • 3 books
  • 4.0 Book Level or higher
  • Worth 4 points or more each
  • Classic Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes for:
  • 3 books
  • 6.0 Book Level or higher
  • Worth 7 points or more each
  • Honors Reader
    "Read Independently" and pass quizzes from a list of challenging teacher selected literatures.

    Goals

    Goal setting is central to Reading Renaissance-Accelerated Reader. Goals help guide students' reading practice, provide motivation, and lead to greater growth in reading.

    Book Level goal - The average book level at which your child is reading and testing at. As the students mature with their reading skills, this goal will be adjusted to ensure they are reading books at an appropriate level for them.

    Certification goal - indicates milestones met in AR following guidelines of points earned from tests taken within specified reading ranges. Each child will certify 4 times at each level.

    Point goal - the amount of points your child is working toward earning in AR this quarter (Point goals are set based on your child's ZPD). There are several Point Clubs your child can strive for. They include the 10 point club (for 1st and 2nd graders), 25 point club, 50 point club, 75 point club and 100 point club.

    Percent correct goal - an average of 85% or higher for all AR tests taken within the quarter indicates good comprehension of content.

    ACS school wide Goals
    Points Goal:     At Risk Goal:  
    Points Current:     At Risk Current:  
    Points Needed:     Warning Zone Goal:  
    % Correct Goal :     Warning Zone Current:  
    % Correct Current:        

    Model Classroom - An award granted to the entire classroom for meeting Reading Renaissance criteria, as well as, teacher integrated learning modules which complement the individual reading.

    Congratulations to the following classes for achieving Model Classroom status! Visit the Reading Renaissance Honor Roll on the Reading Renaissance website to see Ascension's classrooms listed.

  • Ms. Ferland - 2nd grade
  • Ms. Kealer - 2nd grade
  • Ms. Gibson - 3rd grade
  • Ms. Pearson - 3rd grade
  • Ms. Hempstead - 4th grade
  • Ms. Cassidy - 5th grade
  • Ms. Owens - 6th grade
  • Ms. Bruce - 7th grade
  • Ms. Cengia - 8th grade
  • Ms. Wyatt - 8th grade
  • Reading Renaissance Master School - A prestigious award bestowed upon the entire school for meeting the goal and having 100% participation in the Reading Renaissance Program. This is an award of excellence has been bestowed upon Ascension Catholic School for the past 2 years. Visit the Reading Renaissance website and see our school listed on the Honor Roll.