Target: Philosophical discussion of AR

[Ruie Chehak <Rchehak@AOL.COM>]

I am posting this from AOL 6.0.  I hope this doesn't cause problems.
I have done a search on ERIC and looked in the archives and I haven't quite
found what I am looking for.  I am struggling with the philosophy of
Accelerated Reader.  I am encouraged by students who are reading that
wouldn't read except for AR.  I am discouraged by teachers who will only let
their students read AR books and by students who are good readers who won't
read anything unless it is an AR book and by teachers who won't let their
students read below their grade level occasionally.  We need to find a
balance.  I am curious to know if any of you have actually found that balance
and if so, how you found it.  Many of my strong readers will not read good
literature just because it is not an AR book.  I have gone to mat for these
books and still the students resist.  There is a lot of teacher pressure and
parent pressure to read only AR.  It is frustrating for me.  Many of my
emerging readers want so much to read AR books when what they really need to
be doing is just reading.  Students won't stretch themselves to read
something that might be just above their reading level nor will they read
something below, even though it might be of interest or educational.  I am
concerned that we are raising a generation or two of non critical thinkers.
It is disturbing.  Curiosity is lost.  I am not concerned with the
housekeeping of AR.  I want some answers for balance and reason and how to
achieve it.  If you have any thoughts about this, I will cheerfully accept
them.  Thanks, for listening.  Ruie

Ruie Chehak, Library Media Specialist
Sallie Jones Elementary School
1221 Cooper Street
Punta Gorda FL 33950
rchehak@aol.com or Ruie_Chehak@ccps.k12.fl.us

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) 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
4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
 See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
    http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=