AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Your child chooses a book at his/her own level and reads it at his own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read.) AR gives both children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

Children using AR choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.

Teachers and librarians help your child choose books at an appropriate reading level that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring that your child can pass the quiz and experience success.

If your child does not do well on the quiz:
1. Ask more probing questions as your child reads and before he take a quiz.

2. Some books such as non-fiction books are more difficult to quiz on. These books should not be read at the top part of your child’s ZPD range.

3. Your child may need to read a book two times or more before quizzing.

4. Chapter books should be read every day. If your child waits several days to quiz on a book the information is not fresh in his/her mind.

A sample Quiz question for Bubble Bath Pirates! Level 1.6 , Fiction, LG
The pirate mommy says the water is: A. very bubbly
B. just right
C. deep and scary
D. too hot

A sample Quiz question for Penguins Level 5.8, Non-Fiction , LG
Scientists believe that as penguins evolved over time, they:
A. lost much of their body fat
B. became even stronger swimmers
C. developed a light bone structure
D. grew longer, thinner feathers

A sample Quiz question for The Last Holiday Concert Level 5.4, Fiction, MG
What was one reason Hart did not like Chorus?
A. He did not have musical ability
B. Mr. Meinert refused to let him have a solo part in any of the concerts
C. He was in a different class from all his friends
D. He wanted to sing his way, not Meinert’s way

According to research, children who read at least 20 minutes a day with a 90% comprehension rate (average percent correct) on AR quizzes see the greatest gains. Therefore, your child should have at least 20 minutes set aside for reading during each school day.

As with anything, performance improves with practice. Encourage your child to read at home. Create a culture of reading in your household by reading with your child, starting a home library, visiting your local library or bookstore on a regular basis, letting your child see you reading, and discussing books that each of you has read. When reading with your child, stop and ask questions to be sure your child is comprehending what is read. Reading with your child, no matter what the child’s age, is an important part of developing a good reader, building a lifelong love of reading and learning, and creating a loving relationship between you and your child. Make learning a family affair!

4. What if my child doesn’t like reading?

Using Accelerated Reader, your child will choose the books he/she wants to read. The teacher or librarian will make certain the book is at the right level, so that after completing the book, your child should do well on the AR Reading Practice Quiz. Success on the quiz will encourage your child to read more. With guidance from the teacher, and success, even students who say they don’t like reading will develop a love of reading.

No. There are many, many choices of books at your child’s level. He will never be forced to read a book you find questionable.

Then you’ll really like AR because it helps the teacher work with each child individually. Students using AR are encouraged to progress at their own pace and set their own goals with the help of the teacher. The aim of AR is for all children to succeed in achieving their goals.

Teachers determine your child’s reading level in one of three ways: a STAR Reading™ test, a grade equivalent score from a standardized test, or using their best professional judgment based on their knowledge of your child.

STAR Reading is a computerized reading assessment that uses computer-adaptive technology. Questions continually adjust to your child’s responses. If the child’s response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If the child misses a question, the difficulty level is reduced. The test uses multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 10 minutes.

In independent literature-based reading, ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Your child will receive a ZPD range after taking a STAR Reading test, or teachers can use their best professional judgment to determine a ZPD. It’s important for children to read with a high degree of comprehension and within their ZPDs. ZPDs should be adjusted based on the needs of your child.

Book levels are reported using the ATOS™ readability formula and represent the difficulty of the text. For example, an ATOS book level of 4.5 means that the text could likely be read by a student whose reading skills are at the level of a typical fourth grader during the fifth month of school.

Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. AR points are computed based on the difficulty of the book (ATOS readability level) and the length of the book (number of words).

The Accelerated Reader Goal-Setting Chart provides guidelines for the approximate number of AR points children should be able to earn depending on how much time they read and their reading level. Monitoring AR points earned by children and comparing them to the guideline values listed on the Accelerated Reader Goal-Setting Chart enables your child’s teacher to determine how well your child is using the time provided for reading practice.

13. How many Accelerated Reader quizzes are there?

There are over 140,000 AR quizzes available.

14. What kinds of quizzes are there?

Accelerated Reader includes several types of quizzes designed to support the development of several reading skills.

Quiz types include:
Reading Practice Quizzes are the most common type of assessment in AR. The purpose of these quizzes is to determine whether your child has read a book, to measure his literal comprehension of the book, and to provide immediate feedback. Each Reading Practice Quiz consists of 5, 10, or 20 multiple-choice questions depending on book level and length. They are available in English, Spanish, and Recorded Voice formats.
Recorded Voice Quizzes are designed for beginning readers and students learning English. They are professionally recorded by a narrator who reads the quiz questions and answer choices as they appear on screen.
Vocabulary Practice Quizzes measure a child’s command of vocabulary words encountered while reading. They are designed to reinforce vocabulary acquisition, assist with individualizing vocabulary instruction, and generate your child’s interest in words through authentic, in-context literature experiences. Quizzes include 5, 10, or 15 words from a particular book as well as review words from previously read books. Vocabulary Practice Quizzes are available only in the Renaissance Place™ versions of Accelerated Reader.
Literacy Skills Quizzes are designed to give your child’s teacher information on specific reading skills. Questions are randomly generated from a 36- or 60-item bank resulting in 12 or 24 quiz questions. Due to item-bank technology, Literacy Skills Quizzes can be taken up to three times. Quiz questions are based on 24 specific, higher-order reading comprehension skills from state standards, basal reading series, and standardized tests.
Other Reading Quizzes are designed to determine whether a child read and understood content in his textbook. Other Reading Quizzes are aligned to a variety of textbooks series and are specifically linked to how textbooks and other materials are used in the class.

You can also visit the AR BookFinder™ at arbookfind.com to conduct a search of all available books with AR quizzes. All school library and classroom books should have the AR levels on the outside or inside cover of the book.

Visit arbookfind.com and click on Advanced Search. By conducting an advanced search, you can generate book lists that contain titles based on the criteria you enter such as book level, topic, interest level, fiction/nonfiction, etc.

Just because a child can read the words in a book doesn’t mean the content is appropriate. The interest level of the material must be considered. Interest level is based on content—a book’s themes and ideas—and indicates for which age group a book is appropriate. The chart below shows which grades fall into each interest level.

These are recommendations. It is the responsibility of teachers, librarians, and parents to use their best judgment when guiding children to appropriate books.

In many cases, a book’s interest level coordinates with its book level. Hank the Cowdog, for example, the content of which is suitable for fourth-graders, has a book level of 4.5. Many books, however, have a low book level but are appropriate for upper grades and vice versa. For example, Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises has a book level of 4.4 because its sentences are short and its vocabulary is simple. The interest level, however, is UG for Upper Grades. In contrast, Arthur Throws a Tantrum has a book level of 4.9 because it contains fairly long words and sentences, but it is intended for students in the lower grades.

Even if a child is gifted at playing a musical instrument, she has to practice to develop her talent. Bright children, like all children, need to be challenged. Teachers using AR software in their classrooms find it easy to guide each student to books that give the child both challenge and success, regardless of the child’s level.

Accelerated Reader helps all children become better readers, from students with special needs to those who are gifted and talented. When children read books at an appropriate level, they experience success. Furthermore, teachers work with children to set appropriate goals based on each child’s reading level.

Tops Reports
A TOPS Report prints automatically after a child takes a quiz to give you feedback on your child’s understanding of the book and shows cumulative data for the marking period and school year. The TOPS Report is sent home with your child on daily or weekly basis depending on grade level. You should review the report, sign it, and send it back to school with your child.

Reading Log
Your child’s Reading Log is a valuable key to their success. All quiz scores should be recorded in the reading log. The reading log has a column for parents and teachers to initial each time a child takes a quiz. The reading log will give you a daily idea how your child is progressing. The only exception for the log is for First grade students, parents will initial in the log to show that the child is ready to take a quiz.