I just did a google search by entering , "accelerated reader." There was one website that explains the program very well. Basically, there is a list of books and each book is assigned a point value. Higher level books have more points. I assume this is adjusted for different grades. That is, if you are a fifth grader and read a 7th grade level book you get 15 points, but if you read the same book as a 7th grader you would get 10 points. After reading the books, the students are given a content test on the computer to test their knowledge. The information is on a software program that I understand is a little pricey.
Our new fifth grade teachers just started this program. The kids do not get any special rewards but being kids they're pretty competitive and think it's an honor to have the most AR points. I don't know how you get out of the toy reward system once you've started that. I like the idea of special lunch with the Principal or teacher. Maybe a small group lunch for readers that get a certain number of points once a quarter.
As to how the PTO can get the ball rolling, my suggestion would be to ask the teachers if your group could help with record keeping or something to make it doable to them.
AR is a subcommittee of our PTO, and our wonderful volunteer leader also happens to be the librarian's assistant! But she was AR head before she took on that job.
The first thing you have to find is a parent or grandparent passionate about children learning to read. Give them the reins, have them report back to the Board with ideas, considerations, etc. and run them through the Board and the Principal. Reasonable-thinking people wanting to get a dormant program up and running should get behind their ideas, unless they're way out in left field for some reason.
Personnel is honestly a huge key here. The other is making sure the PTO financially supports it if the school board doesn't pay for it. We have a budget allotment, plus we donate all of our "Box Tops For Education" monies to our AR program, and I'm happy to say it's very successful.
Who runs your AR program? Our school has had the program sitting on their computers for the last 5 years and only a handful of students are using it...the principal wants the teachers to run it, but they obvioulsy aren't that interested how can our PTO get the ball rolling?
How can I find out more about this type of reading program? Does the school set up its own program or is there a website to go to?
Thanks for any additional information.
How about awarding lunch with the principal or the teacher who helped them become such good readers or donating new books to the school library in the name of the children reaching goals with their reading so they continue to have great books to continue reading!
We also have the accelerated reading program and we don't reward our students with trinkets/candy - they read because they enjoy reading at levels that challenge their imaginations!
I wonder about giving "things" for doing something that should bring these children joy from within because they CAN read and can travel to the ends of their imagination through a book! Rewards don't make a reader... finding joy in a book makes a reader!
Our school implemented the AR Program three years ago. It has been primarily a store with trinkets available to the students who reach point levels. The success of the program is remarkable. We are looking for new ways to reward the students for their efforts instead of the store concept where trinkets are available.
how can our PTO get the ball rolling?