Housman

What has AR done for me as a Librarian?
AR has helped me as a Librarian to get to know the individual kids better and to better know their reading interests. It's also helped us find and celebrate our really strong readers.

What does AR offer me as a teacher?
AR helps access a student's reading level and comprehension. The program can generate numerous reports that track reading habits and abilities. The reports are easy to understand and parents find them very informative. Since the goals are quantifiable and measurable, AR is an excellent tool for goal setting. AR also helps a child get a feel for their reading level and encourages them to challenge themselves.

What does AR offer the bilingual students?
We have a number of Spanish SR tests and books. In addition, we have English tests for many of our Spanish titles. We encourage the bilingual teachers to write tests too.

When & Where do my students take the tests?
The AR Program is on the server. Students can either take the tests in the classroom or in the Library. First Graders need help taking the tests and this is a good program for volunteers. AR tests for comprehension and detail so it's best for a student to take a test as soon as they have finished the book. We discourage a student from testing on a book they just checked out. We found students either checked out very easy books or claimed to have read them when they hadn't. The passing percentage rose when we asked that they take the book home and reread it.

How do my students get on the server?
During a class library visit we'll add all your students to the server. Be sure everyone knows their lunch number, that's what we use for student passwords. You can also add students from the classroom via the teacher program.

Which books have tests available?
We have about 2500 tests and the books to go with them. In some cases we have the test but not the book and can borrow those books from other libraries. Students should not be reading only AR books, instead they should include AR books as part of their regular reading diet. We have AR tests for many of the guided reading books.

Which books are AR?
All the AR books have a star on the spine and sticker on the inside indicating the reading level and the point value. Students can read books from the LRC, the classroom collection, the public library or any other source. It's possible to print out portions of the AR title catalog and all the titles are listed on the server.

Must my student only read books on their level?
When we first started the program we gave the students free reign but quickly discovered the 5th graders were reading nothing but first grade books so they could accumulate points as quickly as possible. The AR program is now configured so that 4th & 5th graders are blocked from taking a test on books lower than 2.9 and 3rd graders on books lower than 1.9. The library still goes with the standard "meat and popcorn" rule so while students can check out lower level books, they just can't test on them. Special needs / resource student are exempted form this rule. Some students insist on testing on books that are much too difficult for them, and in these cases are blocked from taking tests on upper grade books. Blocking is a process that is tailored to each individual student.

If a student fails a test can they take it again?
No, AR allows a student to take a test only once. You, as the teacher can delete a test and allow the student the option of retaking it.

What happened to my student points from last year?
We deleted all students, tests & points from the server. This is a new year and a new start. We felt students who hadn't participated would be discouraged if they had to compete with students who already had numerous points. Also, students who failed tests on books that were too difficult for them now have a chance to reread and retest. Yes, students can test on books they read last year but since AR tests for details that are STRONGLY encouraged to reread before attempting a test. The "blocking" will prevent the intermediate grades form testing on primary books.

What about cheating?
Yes, we've encountered it and take it very seriously. The best defense is close monitoring of your students and frequent review of their reading records. Do not allow the student to bring the book to the computer. If you are sending them tot he LRC to take a test, have them write the title on a slip of paper. Do not send a group of children to the LRC to test on the same book. We had several instances of older children taking tests for their younger siblings. Students who are caught cheating lose all their points and their passwords. They are still allowed to participate in AR, but are logged on by an adult. If a student takes a test for another child, then both students lose their points and passwords. Students who constantly misuse the program by taking tests on books they either haven't read or are too difficult for also lose their passwords. The teacher has the option of giving passwords back at a later date.

How does the point system work?
The AR program assigns points to each book. The number of points a book is worth is based on a combination of it's length, degree of difficulty and literary merit. Easy books are worth .5 (AR produces many teachable moments for decimals & fractions) and chapter books earn 2 - 5 points. We have some 30+ point books to challenge the advanced readers. The program keeps track of the points and there are various incentives available to students as they accumulate points. We have individual and school goals. You are encouraged to develop a classroom point system as as well. We don't have an AR store where the students "spend" their points, instead they accumulate throughout the school year.

Must my students participate in AR?
NO! AR is strictly voluntary. We hope that students will enjoy the program and want to participate. However, AR Points cannot be used to determine a child's grade nor can a student be required to read a certain number of AR books or acquire a certain number of points per 9 weeks. In other words, it's a carrot not a club.