Hi! I'm kind of new to this list, even though I used to be on it a few years ago. Then I started having problems posting messages and I removed myself from the group. Many times I've thought of rejoining, because I missed the great discussion. I signed up again the other day, and I'm hoping I resolved the problem about posting messages. We'll see!
I realize that I'm taking a chance on jumping into the discussion on a hot button issue like AR. I have very mixed feelings about the program, but I do continue to use it in my classroom. I'll try to explain why I think it has value. To me, AR serves as a record-keeping and management program - no more, no less. I would not classify my use of the program as assessment because the test questions aren't the greatest and they definitely don't inspire anyone to think deeply about their reading. If someone used AR as their entire reading program, they would be doing themselves and their children a great disservice. However, if you are teaching reading strategies, using Literature Circles, doing reading-minilessons, reading aloud, and/or implementing a reading workshop, I think AR can have its place. I've heard horror stories about the way some schools implement AR, and I would fight to the bitter end against some of the things I've been told about. Let me compare and contrast some different methods of using AR: Poor Implementation * Rigid adherence to reading levels and point values * Discouraging kids from reading books that are not AR * Teaching children to find books based on color-coded dots, reading levels, and points * Over emphasis on competition, rewards, certificates, etc. * Assigning point goals that are so high that students struggle to meet them and can't ever do any other type of reading * Being unwilling to work out alternate plans for students who hate AR * Banning children from looking up in their AR books while taking a test Better Implementation of AR * Flexibility in allowing students to read books that are below or above their tested reading level * Encouraging kids to read non-AR books too (I have a rubric that requires some non-AR reading, along with a Home Reading Log) * Teaching children how to find books based on personal interest and perceived difficulty of book (Easy, Just Right, Challenging) * De-emphasis on rewards and competition * Having conferences in which the teacher and student work together to set individual reading goals * Being willing to write tests and enter them into the database for kids who like books outside the AR system, or working out an alternate plan based on conferences or book reports * Allowing students to use their AR books as a reference during the test (why not - they are supposed to look back in the reading selection on most reading tests, so why make them take AR tests without referring to the book?) To tell you the honest truth, I've been on both ends of the AR spectrum. At first I loved it so much and I didn't know any other way to teach reading. AR was my whole reading program, and I'm ashamed of that when I look back on it. However, I was doing what I thought was best at the time. After raising two daughters of my own, who both came to dislike AR, I became much more flexible in my approach. I think if their teachers implemented it as flexibly as I do, they wouldn't dislike the program. To me, AR is a tool that helps me and the student see the progress they are making. Some kids really enjoy this type of program and they benefit from being able to see those points accumulate and their reading levels improve. As a result, they read more than they normally would and improve their reading skills at the same time. It also encourages kids to stick with a book and finish it, rather than reading 5 pages in this book, 6 pages in that one, and so on. Kids know that they need to read for comprehension and understanding, which is important in today accountability-based world. On the other hand, it's up to us as teachers to show them the JOY of reading through other approaches such as reading aloud, buddy reading, Literature Circles, etc. I love to read, and I can tell that most of my students love reading after a year in my classroom. Laura Candler Fayetteville, NC Visit Teaching Resources at www.lauracandler.com. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
