Accelerated Reader
Click HERE to log into Home Connect as a parent.
What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?
AR is a computer programme that helps teachers to manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice once they are fluent enough and no longer require the support of decodable readers. Children pick a book at their own level and read it at their own pace and when finished, they take a short quiz on the computer - passing the quiz is an indication that the child has understood what has been read.
How can I help my child become a better reader?
According to Renaissance Learning’s research, children who read at least 20 minutes a day with a 90% comprehension rate on AR quizzes see the greatest gains. Therefore, we recommend encouraging your child to read at home, discussing books, asking questions about what they have read and visiting your local library. We advise that children, regardless of their age, spend part, if not all, of these 20 minutes reading to an adult in order to further support their fluency and comprehension.
Even if you feel that your child is competent at reading, it is still important that they engage with this process so that we can monitor progress and support comprehension. However, this is just one aspect of reading and your child should also be reading for pleasure.
How is AR managed at Highnam?
At the beginning of each term, children complete the Star Reader quiz which will determine their 'reading level' based on a series of comprehension questions. This provides the teacher with each child's ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development). This is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Based on their ZPD, the class teacher will provide your child with a specific numerical range that they are allowed to chose their books from (for example 3.4 - 3.6).
When your child has read and quizzed on 3 books, consecutively achieving 80% or more in the comprehension quizzes, they will be asked to move up 0.1; therefore, progressing through their ZPD.
Accelerated Reader Club
To further support our pupils' reading fluency and comprehension, each term we extend an invite to a small selection of pupils to attend accelerated reader club with Mrs Tirel Monday-Wednesday. Here, children will read with an adult and receive support when quizzing.
How can I monitor my child's reading?
Renaissance Home Connect (as pictured) allows you to keep up to date with what your child's reading and how they are doing in their comprehension quizzes. You can access this through the link at the top of the page with the same log in details that your child uses to quiz.
For more information, please visit https://www.renaissance.com/products/accelerated-reader/
