Wild About Reading: Accelerated Reader

Come On In...and welcome to my next blog entry where I want to share about the highly motivational reading program called, Accelerated Reader. This software program is used across the country to motivate students to enjoy the love of reading. Today, I want to explain how Accelerated Reader works in the classroom.
First of all, at the beginning of the school year and periodically throughout the year, students take a computerized reading assessment. This baseline reading assessment determines a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) to establish a student's independent reading level. The independent reading level, or ZPD, is individualized to ensure that students are reading books that are "just right" for them, not too easy, and not too hard.
Once a ZPD has been determined, then students select and read books from our School Library Media Center, or Public Library, that are in their independent reading range. When a student finishes reading a book, he or she takes an AR reading practice practice quiz in the classroom, or in the School Media Center. The quiz assesses the general comprehension of the book just read. Some students enjoy taking their quizzes on the classroom computer, while others enjoy using the iPad.
Students enjoy receiving immediate feedback on their quizzes, and meanwhile, the AR software keeps track of the results, and generates reports. In my classroom, when a student scores 100% on an AR quiz, they can pick a candy or a sticker from the treat jar.
I am so thankful that our school purchased the AR reading software program, because I can't imagine my first grade classroom without it. I have seen this program motivate even my most reluctant students to enjoy the practice of reading.
This entry covers only the basics of AR, so in my next blog entry, I will share with you how I set individualized AR reading goals to motivate my students to keep reading. So, ya'll come back you hear!