We use AR, but with the accountability tied into the Response portion of the Reading Workshop. We do not focus on the "point system" although our librarian keeps track of this and awards for number of points kids earn. It is mainly used as a guide for independent reading levels along with the independent level the students score on DRA. I don't think AR is a bad program, it has it's good points but you have to be smart on how to use it. Students are asked to respond on the book they have chosen as the teachers teach their minilessons when it is appropriate, before they take their "AR tests". I agree, the questions are geared more on the knowledge level. I have seen kids motivated to read because of AR and the points they are awarded but I have also seen kids not really give a rip about the points (including my G.T., above level reader, son). Hope this helps!
Elisa Rankin Reading Instructional Facilitator Flores Elementary Uvalde, Texas ----- Original Message ----- From: "kimberlee hannan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades." <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 11:47 AM Subject: Re: [LIT] Accelerated Reader >I have a little different take on AR. I totally agree with the memory and > experience evaluation, nor is it appropriate for testing ELD kids, the > vocabulary is often too hard. I personally don't push it or grade for it, > but it is available for those who want to use it. I have the books marked > as well. Some of my administration and other teachers wouldn't let our > kids > do independent reading without it. These are people that have been > browbeaten about accountability. This is why I don't fight it. I just > push > powerful literature to my kids and and read aloud to the kids a lot. The > kids in my classes get credit for reading AR books or non AR books. > Kim > > > > -- > Kimberlee Hannan > Department Chair > Sequoia Middle School > Fresno, CA > > Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't > change, kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give > everything, have no regrets.. Life's too short to be anything but happy. > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > _______________________________________________ > The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive > _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
