The questions was: how do you deal with the inappropriateness of =20
content for 'young' readers who are reading on high levels?
It seems that some have the same issue I have -- even at MS levels. =20
The content is not going to be age appropriate without careful scrutiny.
Because AR is in my buildings, I have to support it. The PTA in one =20
building funds all of it. Here's what I have done so far. I have used =20=
the AR BookGuide and searched for material within the reading level of =20=
students but limited the search by middle level interest. I then read =20=
the summaries on the BookGuide for those books. I found some here I =20
felt I could purchase.
Personally, I feel students should BROADEN their interests and reading =20=
experiences after they reach 1-2 levels above their grade level. This =20=
is, however, more work for teachers. I've asked them to use a creative =20=
book report idea and give points for that -- if it's the points they =20
need. However, there's no way to add point categories so reports can be =20=
run all at once. Also, the top students could broaden their levels by =20=
reading other books of interest (not level) and create the tests for =20
them and the teacher can then give them points for doing that. (They =20
can also take the test they create and get a 10.)
I remember reading a post that said Renaissance Learning recommends =20
students reading/testing no more than 2 levels above their grade level. =20=
I couldn't find who/where it was stated. I will contact RenLearn for =20
additional information.
RESPONSES FROM OTHERS:
Books have had to be sent back because of inappropriateness for =20
students ages.
Pull in high-level series in fantasy, classics, Newbery winners, =20
adventure series, and biographies.
Checking with the MS / HS librarian. Ask to generate a list of higher =20=
level materials that are appropriate content.
Go to the AR website and do advance searches by level and then look up =20=
reviews about some=A0titles I find of interest. AR BookGuide also works =20=
here.
Suggest to parents and teachers=A0who don't buy into the "broadening =20
levels" idea, that they buy=A0paperbacks for home or classroom and the =20=
library orders the tests.
Use the public library and order the tests only. Keep a list of books =20=
that can be checked out from the public library that matches your tests.
One option might be to purchase the appropriate content and invite the =20=
teachers to create tests. I personally would not offer to create them =20=
but if teachers insist on reading above level instead of broadening, =20
then they should be involved in getting it done. I really do not think =20=
the program was ever intended for students to read so far above level.
Create a form or letter that might be sent home for parental signatures =20=
indicating
permission for a student to participate in the reading of a book that =20=
contained "mature" themes.
Watch out! Students are sharing answers to AR quizzes online:
http://www.classicnote.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/greatexpectations/=20
wwwboard/messages/1531.html
Use Reading Counts -- 30 questions not just 10. Students really do have =20=
to read the book.
Use AR logs to 'justify' that the book has been read. Teachers check =20
periodically to see if student is really reading the book.
One is leaving AR and creating a substitute for teachers to track =20
students' reading.
Thanks to "Carol McKay, Kathy Webb, Shonda Brisco. JaKay Greer, Leola =20=
A. Gaugler, Vicki Sherouse, Raynette Schulte for their responses.
Kathy Zwyghuizen
Media/Tech Specialist
Greenville Public Schools
Greenville, MI 48838
kzwy@attbi.com=
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