Accelerated Reader

     Accelerated Reader is a computerized reading comprehension program. Students read books, then take a five to twenty question test based on the book. The number of questions varies with the difficulty of the book. Each book is worth a certain number of points. If a student gets 100% on the test, they receive all possible points. The points awarded decrease with each question missed. If the student fails the test, they do not receive any points.  80% is needed for the A/R test to count as a passed quiz.

Prior to taking an A/R test students are asked to choose one of the following:

I read this book by myself.

Someone read this book to me.

Someone read this book with me.

The staff at Smyrna use A/R in many ways. Some require students to earn a specific number of A/R points or read a pre-set number of books during each grading period.  During the month of September, students in grades 2-8 will be taking a STAR test to determine their current reading range. Parent letters will be sent home as the tests are completed for each grade level.  1st graders will not take a STAR test for the first time until after October.  Check with your child's teacher if you are not familiar with his/her requirements. 

It is a BIG DEAL when a child becomes an Independent Reader and we are making progressive strides in developing life-long  lovers of reading. Certificates documenting their level of achievements will be awarded each marking period at the awards' assembly sponsored by the PTO.  The certificate is signed by the principal, the librarian, and your student's classroom teacher. 

There is an ongoing challenge for all students grades 1 - 8:  If a student earns 300+ A/R points within the present school year they are awarded $50 at the end of year awards' ceremony. As of today, February 8th, 2008, one student has already accumulated 345 A/R points and two other students are just under 20 points away from 300!

Regardless of the amount of points they earn my goal is to support, encourage and applaud all reading efforts and gains by all our students!