Reading Sauce

Accelerated Reader

I'm aware of the big debate about Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program:  To quiz or not to quiz.  This page is not part of the debate.  What I am sharing is what I have done, what I am currently doing, and what I plan to do.  However, I will say this, I have seen students enjoy the program, and become motivated to read by what we do at our site.

The Set Up

First, have a school-wide goal.  Our goal this year (2016-17) is to reach 75 million words by the end of the year.  This is the second year the entire school is participating in AR.

Then, create a wall that show's the school's progress towards reaching the goal.  I created a "Plants vs. Zombies" wall in the library to show each grade level's contribution towards our school goal.  I chose Plants vs. Zombies because the library theme this year is Board Games/Phone Apps.  If you have a larger space, you can make your AR wall as detailed as you want.  For our AR wall, I figured the students would enjoy being zombies more than plants, so each class has a designated zombie, and our goal is to get into the house!

Eyes on the Prize

The reason the students are really motivated to read, quiz, and get those zombies moving is because there is a BIG prize on the line.  If the students meet the AR goal reading challenge, the principal has promised to complete a task the teachers select for him.  Now, this is no ordinary principal task.  Here are some suggestions that have been thrown around:  Dress like a zombie and dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (because of our zombie wall), dress like a princess and read Cinderella during the lunch periods (our principal is male), and wear a book costume and provide photo opps for our students throughout the day.  Reminding the students that this is their prize for meeting the school-wide goal motivates them like nothing else.

Pay For A Job Well Done

We do provide incentive opportunities by way of the Eagle Buck Store, or The Nest.  For every book they quiz and pass with 100%, the students receive an "Eagle Buck."  We are the Mighty Eagles, so what else would we name our currency?   Then every quarter, the students get to spend their hard-earned bucks at The Nest.  The Eagle Buck Store inventory consists of donated items (all new) purchased by PTA, ASB, and teachers and staff, and items I receive at conferences and other events.  The students are happy to wait in line and spend their "money."

Here's a pic of students shopping at one of the Eagle Buck Store events.

At our site, each grade level has their own lunch period, so the shopping is intense but manageable.

The Right Book for the Job

The AR program will not have success if students are not reading at their level.  At the beginning of the year, I have library activities that focus on finding the right book.  I also share the 5-finger rule on selecting the right book.  This pdf from Chippewa Falls School District does a nice job explaining that rule: http://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/faculty/ericksjl/5%20finger%20rule.pdf.  Students will lose interest in reading for the AR program if they are reading the wrong books.  My library also uses color labels in the library to indicate the reading levels for grades K-4.  After fourth grade, I encourage students to browse and find the right book, putting more emphasis in finding interests and discovering their favorite genres.  For the Fiction (chapter books) section, the AR reading level (BL) is written inside the books.  We also promote discovery, so although each student must take a book at their reading level, their second book can be anything they'd like.  I say "One at your level, and one to explore."  Students are given the opportunity to discover and explore interests, even if they cannot read all the text.  It's the interest in that particular text that's not at their reading level that will motivate them to become stronger readers.

Personal Goals

At our site, we also focus on personal goals.  Students who meet their personal goals (as set in the AR goals options) receive an AR certificate during the semester awards assembly and are invited to a pizza lunch.  Regardless of their reading levels or grade levels, students can gain a sense of accomplishment and improve their reading skills when tracking their progress using the personal goals option.

Together, We Motivate to Generate Results

Students, teachers, staff, and the community at large are part of the process.  Our students are addressed as "Super Readers" at school events.  Staff and community wear AR shirts on Thursdays.  We announce AR accomplishments by individuals and classes at our Wednesday morning rallies.  We talk up reading, books, and making our reading goals on a weekly basis.  Our computer lab is turned into a Drop Everything And Read space a few days a week so students can go in and take AR quizzes.  The entire school must be invested in seeing every student achieve their reading goal and become a super reader.