Accelerated Reader
Reading is vital to everything we do. It is of utmost importance to establish at an early age the love of reading. Reading is key to all academic learning. It is likely that reading ability predicts fully 75% of one’s academic success in school and college. Once students learn to read, information is needed on the quantity, quality, and level of reading, along with the number and kinds of books being read.
Reading is a skill and, as with every skill, it requires not just instruction but PRACTICE. Reading practice serves a number of purposes. It enables students to apply the skills and strategies that are taught. It provides opportunities to check student learning and identify weaknesses. We must teach students that books are magical. They transport us to faraway places, ignite our imagination and challenge our minds.
The purpose of Accelerated Reader is to enable powerful practice. It does this by:
- Providing data that helps monitor and personalize reading practice.
- Encouraging substantial amounts of practice, according to guidelines based on research findings.
- Making practice fun for students by facilitating successful encounters with text.
Accelerated Reader is designed to be part of a comprehensive reading program. It does not replace basal-reader series or other instructional materials; rather, it supports and enhances them. Research shows that students gain the most when they practice reading every day for 20 minutes at home and at school.
As of February 2009, Renaissance Learning reported that there are 124,525 Accelerated Reader quizzes. Students are welcome to check out any Accelerated Reader book from public libraries that may not be part of our collection and take the quiz on the book at Sherwood. You may also go to the DCSS AR list search to view the quiz list available at Sherwood.
If further information is needed, contact Mrs. Lewis at (229)438-3577 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.