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I am a K-12 librarian... have two libraries, one is elem. up to 6th grade, the other JH (7th) through HS. I have a set of about 20 'jumpstarter' books in the JH/hs library that are only worth a point or two and can easily be read in a class period. They are relatively low level, probably average 5.0. There is generally a cycle among the students (nearly always boys) where they want to read those books exclusively. I don't really 'like' it, BUT once the book is read and test taken, they can never do it again. SO they can only gain 20 to 40 points from the whole batch! Most students' goals are from 75 to 200 points. I will point out that it would be best to start out a grading period reading books worth more points and then, if desperate, use the jumpstarters to meet the goal. Some kids understand and follow the logic, some learn slowly. I just consider it a way of teaching a little math, logic, organization and time management in addition to being a 'pusher 'of books. In the elementary, we expect the students to read within their ZPD with the exception of books on the state book lists. For some reason I don't have much problem there, although over the period of 20 years I have been a librarian and especially over the 50 years since I was an elem. student, I have seen the reading levels of the most popular books go down. I read Little Women, Treasure Island, etc as a third grader! (and I wasn't unusually bright!) I think one reason may be that there are soooooo many more children's & YA books available with tempting covers that are more appealing to kids than the higher level books.... I personally think we should put more of the responsibility of education on the shoulders of the student's we are trying to educate! Kinda goes against the 'no child left behind' philosophy, doesn't it? I've had a frustrating week myself ! ----Original Message----- From: Melissa Moore <mmoore@PI-ISD.NET> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU=20 Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:52:24 -0600 Subject: [LM_NET] AR [Scanned] I need your opinion! I am incensed at the moment because of Accelerated Reader testing. Today is the cut-off day for the six weeks, and I have found several 7th graders in here reading and taking tests on 1 and 2 point books. What do you think? Should I completely remove the books and tests? Should I calm down and allow this? I want to just take them off the shelves now but realize the lower-level kids could benefit from them. Please help calm me down! #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#**#*#*#*#*#*# Sharon Koontz, K-12 LMS USD 286 Sedan KS "I'm not organizationally-challenged, I'm chaotically-gifted!"--unknown ............................................................................ If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur. -Doug Larson, Olympic Gold Medalist (1902-1981) #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------