HIT: Accelerated Reader

[Josephine Dervan <rderva@injersey.com>]

Several people asked for a HIT on AR so here it is:

I've been using AR now for over 10 years.  I would never want to be
without it
again.  My school is an elementary k-6, Title I, small & impoverished.
The
school itself was built in 1927, and when I was transferred to Mitchell
12
years ago, against my will when my Jr. High school was closed, I thought
my
life was over.  I literally went home and cried after I saw it for the
first
time.  The library had  absolutely the worst collection of books I had
ever
seen.  (The collection was as old as the school.)   The first year, it
seemed
hopeless.  There was no money for new books, other than my state
allotment,
which, due to the size of my school, was only around $500.00 for the
year.   I
know that I had to find some way to put books in that library.  I had
received
a copy of AR's magazine ad the previous year and it sounded like what I
had
always been looking for.  I'd always had a motivational reading program
in my
other schools and I felt like I had tried it all--recording the number
of
books read, the number of pages read--I has used those little slips of
paper
for parents to sign saying that Suzie had read her book--etc.  The
concept of
passing a computer test after reading a book and the computer doing all
the
record keeping sounded too good to be true.
        I took the flyer to my principal & she thought it sounded
interesting, but
there was no money for it the first year.  The second year, I persisted
& by
mid term, I eventually persuaded Chapter I to let me order the starter
kit.
(This was before the school wide programs were in place.)  We had only a
minimum number of the books from the starter kit in the beginning, but
it was
a start.  I begged a lot, sold pencils and erasers, etc. & finally was
able to
purchase some supplemental disks.  I also began learning to  write
minigrants
& then, larger grants to supplement the book collection.  I combined the
AR
process with my yearly motivational themes and incorporated it into all
of my
reading activities.  Even with nothing, the program was a tremendous
success.
To date, I've received over $100,000.00 in grants due to the Accelerated
Reader program.  (No one would fund library books just because you
needed
them, but I found that they were glad to fund library books in order to
implement a computer managed motivational reading program that required
library books to accompany the test disks!)  I discarded over 3000 books
of
the original collection (which was under 4000 books in the beginning).
I've
added a file server and 14 networked computers.  The library has been
automated, we have a CD-ROM tower, new reference materials--both
hardbound and
on CD-ROM, laser discs, etc.  We also now have Internet access on all 14
computers.  The program spread to the other schools in my district from
my
school. (We were the first school in Northeast Louisiana to use AR--the
others
had never heard of it)   A.R. is now in almost every school in the area.
Needless to say, our school became a showplace & won the Louisiana
Library
Association Elementary Modisette Award a few years ago.
        I select a new school wide theme every year.  I use banners
beside each
classroom, along with a graphic to depict the theme.  Each child has a
"token"
that has been laminated with his or her name on it.  I use a wipe-off
marker
to record points earned.  (For example, the year we used a "Read Around
the
World" theme, each child had a laminated, construction paper
suitcase.)    I
use a "Wall of Fame" to place the pictures of the students who reach
grade
level goals.  (We called it "earning a passport, that year.)  Each six
weeks,
we award traveling trophies to the  classes (by grade level) with the
most
points.  (I recycle the trophies each six-weeks.  I've been using the
same six
trophies for 10 years.)  We use a principal's Challenge throughout the
year to
help provide additional motivation on a school wide basis.  I provide
certificates each six weeks to the top three readers in each class.  I
also
hold an Accelerated Reader luncheon each six weeks to recognize students
who
have made it to the Wall of Fame.  (The students eat on the stage, which
is in
our cafeteria.  We use table settings, table cloth, place mats, etc.  I
make a
special dessert & wait on their tables.  They love it!)   Our students
shop to
spend their points twice a year.  It is a real highlight--we call it
"Shop
'till you Drop!"
        I believe you can use A.R. to work a miracle in your school.  I
know it
worked for me.  I'm sorry this was so long, but there was a lot to
tell.  (I
left out a lot, too!)  I wish you the best of luck with your program.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 what an undertaking!  But well worth it.  We jumped on the AR
bandwagon about 4 years ago, and it has been a wonderful reading
motivation and experience for our 970 elementary students.  Our kids are
reading, READING, R-E-A-D-I-N-G!!!
My circulation records have exploded... we checked out 66,823 books last
school year.  I run an open media program, so my students are allowed to
come in with passes anytime during the day.  I have students coming in
two and three times a day, checking out books like crazy.  I have
watched reluctant readers browse the shelves, choosing AR titles,
choosing non-AR titles by authors they've been introduced to through AR
titles, and kids just sprawled out on the floor enjoying all kids of
books.
If you are seriously interested in implementing the program, I would be
more than happy to let you know what worked and what didn't; tips to
help get you started, and things to watch out for.
For the love of kids and books,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have grown with the program... we started out on Apple IIe's with
5-1/4 floppies of the test disks and student data disks.  That was
horrendous.  We have upgraded to Mac's (use 520's, 580's, and PowerMac's
throughout the school) and the program runs on the hard drives of all.
Now we are networking the school, and are upgrading to a network
version.  The company is very helpful in providing technical support and
assistance in any aspect of installation and operation.
The testing is done on computers in the classrooms.  We have a classroom
assistant who organizes and handles the "AR Store" where students can
obtain prizes and "stuff" with the points they earn.  I have organized
the media collection to facilitate the identification of AR books for
the students to browse.  I do not separate them from the regular
collection (would be a nightmare as we have approx. 80 test disks, which
is approx. 4,000 titles), but I do distinguish the titles by placing a
colored dot on the spine and write the points on the dot.  I have a
printed database sorted by title of all our AR titles stored at the
circulation desk so students can look up titles, points, reading levels,
etc. etc.  ANYTHING you can do to facilitate, organize, and make your
life easier will save you hours and legwork in the long run.
The biggest controversy, not only at my school and district, but across
the nation, is whether teachers use this program for a reading grade.
Please discourage your teachers to rely on this as a reading grade.  The
program is not intended to TEACH reading, but to compliment and support
it.  It is a motivational program, and should be treated as such.
I have watched many, many students get turned on to reading through this
program.  It is a joy to go to the shelves and TALK books with students
after they've been successful in this program.  The flipside is those
students who are "playing the game"... reading low-level, easy books
just to meet a goal, grab points, or do the bare minimum.  I try very
hard to get these students interested in other books of interest and get
them reading for the fun of it, not to please a teacher or meet a goal.
Good luck in your endeavor.  Let me know if you need any more info or if
you have any questions.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We started using AR in January with the intention of having 3rd and 4th
grade "pilot" the program.  Well, before the end of the year, we had all
grades (1-6) participating and our circulation ZOOMED upward.  We do not
use prizes  (check out all the info you can find on AR in the LM_NET
archives and you'll see that every school handles this differently).
The
ONLY downside is that we are not yet automated and my poor little
library
aide nearly went bananas with the jump in circulation.  If you do it, I
hope you're automated...it can be done manually, but expect a lot of
extra work (but we're not complaining because the kids are
READING!!!!!!).  I think you'll love it if you get it!  Good luck.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Go for it!  We have been using AR for 2 and a half years.  Last year was
the first year it was implemented fully and according to the principles
of
Reading Renaissance.  And we had students in 8th grade who had never
read a
book before actually reading books and liking them and discussing them
with
other students and teachers!  My advice:  (not in any special order)
1.  Visit Advantage Learning's web site at www.advlearn.com  They also
have
a listserv  which is good.
2.  Get training in the principles of RR.  At least for yourself and
some
key teachers.  It's worth the cost.
3.  Have the support of your administration and key teachers.
4.  Have enough books and tests especially for those students who are
reading below grade level.
5.  Follow the principles of RR and students will read and they will
love
it.
6.  Be ready to work hard.
Good luck.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I urge you to get a copy of the October 1996 issue of School Library
Journal and read the article by Dr. Betty Carter.  It's a terrific
article and states my opinions much clearer than I ever could!
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We have been using the AR program at our school for many years.  I think
it is a very good program as long as students are not pressured to read
AR books.  My feeling is that it should be self-motivating, but I have
several teachers who require so much from their students with AR books
that they get to read little else.  That leaves some really good titles
not read--especially new books.

One of the things I am most excited about is their new custom disks.
This enables you to pick titles you already have and match them to tests
they have and make your own disks.  I was able to order six such disks
through a Reader's Digest magazine program.

We currently have our testing done in our computer lab.  Our school has
finally been networked in the classrooms so we hope testing can be done
there this year.

We have had various reward systems.  Last year we did not do so much of
this, and I really couldn't tell there was any less motivation.  We
always have a party of some kind at the end of the year for those who
reach a certain point level.  The level varies according to grade
level--primaries don't have as high a level as intermediate--although my
highest point person this year was a third grader who loved to read.

I have not been to one of their Renaissance programs but have heard good
things about them.

Good luck!  If you get any good ideas from your replies, please share
them.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi, we use Accelerated Reader at K-3. It is entirely voluntary on the
part
of the student. This works for us. Good luck.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Josephine Dervan
Library Media Specialist and Internet Trainer
Strathmore Elementary School
Aberdeen, New Jersey, USA 07747

Home-rderva@injersey.com

"Anyone who has a library and a garden wants for nothing"- CICERO

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send email to
 listserv@listserv.syr.edu         In the message write EITHER:
 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=