Frequently asked Questions about the Accelerated Reading Program at MSW
Q: Why does MSW participate in the Accelerated Reading (AR) program?
A: We use AR as one means to promote independent student reading. AR helps focus the student’s attention on careful reading of books.
Q: How does the program work?
A: Students choose their own books matched to their reading levels and read them at their own pace. Students then take a quiz on the computer to check their understanding.
Q: Does AR participation affect my student’s reading grade?
A: Yes; students will be given credit when they pass an AR test. Each student needs to reach the required amount of points each trimester.
Q: Does my child need to be “Accelerated” to participate in this program?
A: The AR program challenges all students to read at a level appropriate to them.
Q: How does my child know if a book is an AR book?
A: Many AR books in the MSW Library are labeled and include the reading level. Also, you can check AR Book finder (www.arbookfind.com) to determine if there is a quiz.
Q: How does my child know how many points a book is worth?
A: Students will see the point value on the quiz and they can also check the AR Book Finder (www.arbookfind.com).
Q: Is my child limited to reading only those books from the MSW Library?
A: No; students may read books from home, other libraries, etc. He or she should check AR Book finder to determine reading level and quiz availability.
Q: What grades participate in this program?
A: Grades three through five, the critical grades for encouraging independent reading, participate.
Q: What if my child wants to read a book that is not an AR book?
A: There is an option to write a paragraph (in response to a prompt). They may choose this option if there is no quiz available for the book they read. The paragraph will be submitted to the MSW Library for review, and once accepted, this success will be recorded in the same manner as a passed computer quiz. These forms can be found in a hanging file outside the library.
Q: How do we know if my child is reading at the appropriate level?
A: Periodically, students take the Star Reading Test, a computer-based test designed to work with the AR program to determine an appropriate reading level. Based on the results of the test, each student is given a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development). This range of numbers defines the reading level from which a student should be selecting books for optimal growth in reading without frustration. The ZPD is especially useful for students using the AR program, which provides readability levels on all books included in the system. The ZPD, however, is approximate. Success at any reading level also depends on the student’s interests and prior knowledge of a book’s content. Students are aware of their individual reading level and it is printed on their MSW Library card.
Q: What skills does Star Reading test?
A: The 10 minute computer program assesses students’ ability to recognize words and vocabulary and put words into paragraphs.
Q: Do the results of the Star Reading Test affect my child’s reading grade?
A: No. The Star Reading test is a diagnostic tool only.
Q: How does AR determine the reading level of books?
A: The reading levels are based on vocabulary, length of words, number of words on a page, difficulty of words, and complexity of sentence structure.
Q: Is reading level the same as interest level?
A: No; the AR reading level does NOT take into account interest or maturity level.
Q: May students take the quizzes at home?
A: DURING E-LEARNING, STUDENTS MAY TAKE QUIZZES FROM HOME.
Q: Why does MSW participate in the Accelerated Reading (AR) program?
A: We use AR as one means to promote independent student reading. AR helps focus the student’s attention on careful reading of books.
Q: How does the program work?
A: Students choose their own books matched to their reading levels and read them at their own pace. Students then take a quiz on the computer to check their understanding.
Q: Does AR participation affect my student’s reading grade?
A: Yes; students will be given credit when they pass an AR test. Each student needs to reach the required amount of points each trimester.
Q: Does my child need to be “Accelerated” to participate in this program?
A: The AR program challenges all students to read at a level appropriate to them.
Q: How does my child know if a book is an AR book?
A: Many AR books in the MSW Library are labeled and include the reading level. Also, you can check AR Book finder (www.arbookfind.com) to determine if there is a quiz.
Q: How does my child know how many points a book is worth?
A: Students will see the point value on the quiz and they can also check the AR Book Finder (www.arbookfind.com).
Q: Is my child limited to reading only those books from the MSW Library?
A: No; students may read books from home, other libraries, etc. He or she should check AR Book finder to determine reading level and quiz availability.
Q: What grades participate in this program?
A: Grades three through five, the critical grades for encouraging independent reading, participate.
Q: What if my child wants to read a book that is not an AR book?
A: There is an option to write a paragraph (in response to a prompt). They may choose this option if there is no quiz available for the book they read. The paragraph will be submitted to the MSW Library for review, and once accepted, this success will be recorded in the same manner as a passed computer quiz. These forms can be found in a hanging file outside the library.
Q: How do we know if my child is reading at the appropriate level?
A: Periodically, students take the Star Reading Test, a computer-based test designed to work with the AR program to determine an appropriate reading level. Based on the results of the test, each student is given a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development). This range of numbers defines the reading level from which a student should be selecting books for optimal growth in reading without frustration. The ZPD is especially useful for students using the AR program, which provides readability levels on all books included in the system. The ZPD, however, is approximate. Success at any reading level also depends on the student’s interests and prior knowledge of a book’s content. Students are aware of their individual reading level and it is printed on their MSW Library card.
Q: What skills does Star Reading test?
A: The 10 minute computer program assesses students’ ability to recognize words and vocabulary and put words into paragraphs.
Q: Do the results of the Star Reading Test affect my child’s reading grade?
A: No. The Star Reading test is a diagnostic tool only.
Q: How does AR determine the reading level of books?
A: The reading levels are based on vocabulary, length of words, number of words on a page, difficulty of words, and complexity of sentence structure.
Q: Is reading level the same as interest level?
A: No; the AR reading level does NOT take into account interest or maturity level.
Q: May students take the quizzes at home?
A: DURING E-LEARNING, STUDENTS MAY TAKE QUIZZES FROM HOME.