My school uses AR and is currently switching to the web based program so all tests will be available. I absolutely LOVE the way we do it at our school but I do know that other schools in our district run the program in ways that I would not be happy doing.
AR is optional for our students to participate in. The computer lab is open in the mornings and students can take tests during this time or during their SSR time. Although it is optional, all students participate at some point in the year because we do use rewards. However, they are not trinket awards. We go all out. Every 6 weeks, we have a Kids' Day. The last hour of the day is a special celebration for all students who have met their goals. The goals are set by grade level but are customized for special needs students. I teach fourth grade and the 6 week goal is 7 points. The Kids' Day events have a different theme each year. This year our theme is Reader Roundup. We are doing things like having a petting zoo come in, watching cowboy theme movies, making western cuisine, country line dancing, etc. Each grade level is responsible for planning a Kids' Day event. Students know what each event is and they decide whether they want to try to make it. I have had students who try to make it to each one and others who selectively choose. However, the BIG events are the 2 Kids' Day Away events that we have. One is a trip to a Charlotte Bobcats Game at night completely free for the students who make it. The other is a day away from school doing something related to the theme of the year (this year will be a trip to a farm). I work in a Title One school that has been in school improvement for the last 2 years and you would not believe the number of students who work to make it to these two events. Every one of my students have made it to the Bobcats game since I have been teaching there. The goals for these events are much higher but the numbers are always much higher for these events. All of the events are paid for by donations from the community and the PTO. My husband and I go each year to the Bobcats game and we are always thrilled with the look of wonder in the kids' eyes when they enter the stadium. They also get to go down to the court and meet the players. The program really works in our school. Even though most of my kids read way below grade level, they do read and each year we show growth. This is the first year we've made AYP since I've been there and we are all very excited! Although I know AR is not the reason for the growth my students show or the reason we made AYP, it does give the kids a break from the TEST, TEST, TEST mentality we are forced to have at a school that is close to being taken over by the state. Other schools in our district use the program to give grades and the kids hate it and others just have it available to students with no rewards or goals and it sits unused. I agree with the other posts about it being good if it is implemented correctly. Good luck making a decision! Angela Hatley Almond Fourth Grade East Albemarle Elementary School _______________________________________________ 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.
