Target: ELEM: Accelerated Reader (AR) percent required for

[Judy Seck <jseck@LSD.K12.MI.US>]

Hi,

I have used AR are at my school for the past three years.  Our children are
reading more (they basically didn't read before) and their test scores are
improving.

I would like to work more with certification levels this year.  When
figuring out whether a student qualifies for a level I feel the scores on
the books they are using for qualifying should be at least 80%.  What do
some of you do?

Also, I run a store 4 times a year.  I do not let the kids shop if their
average percent (they start anew for each store period) is below 70%.  (I
would like to make this percent higher but will have to convince the
classroom teachers).  Does anyone else who runs a store have a requirement
such as this.

I am try to think of a theme this year which will be educational and
logically culminate in a principal's challenge that ties in.  I'm think
about a virtual trip around the world.  To add a little classroom
competition I want to have 9 places classes may reach depending on the % of
kids in class who meet their monthly goals.  (I want to show visually how
each class is doing.  A little peer pressure to encourage teacher
involvement).  Last year I merely used a bar graph and that was easy.  (We
were "raising the Titanic" with the bars).  My problem here is how to I show
progress between places in the world since they are not equal distant.  Any
ideas?

And what can I do as a principal challenge that ties into a trip around the
world?  Last year our theme tied into Titanic.  We worked as a school to
gain enough points to reach the "Slimberg."  When we did this we slimed the
principal.  This turned out to be lots of fun.  She really hammed it up.
There were a couple of reading cheers and we ended with a great song
"Knowledge is Power."

I'd appreciate any expansions on this kernel of an idea or other educational
themes that worked for you.  I also will be glad to pass on ideas we've used
that have worked.

Thanks in advance,
Judy S.
Judy Seck                          jseck@lsd.k12.mi.us
Teacher & Media Specialist
Willow Elementary School
1012 West Willow Street
Lansing, MI 48915

V & F  517 325 7348

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