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Many children enjoy working on computers and many children enjoy reading. The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program combines these two important curriculum components into one reading program. The Accelerated Reader is a computer software program that promotes reading in schools. This program is a three-step process in which students: 1) check out specially marked books from the school library, 2) read the books, and 3) take a short comprehension test on the contents of the book via a computer.
McDermott Elementary has chosen the Accelerated Reader for our students to help improve their reading skills. This goal can best be accomplished if students choose books within their target reading level. The AR books are labeled with the reading level and the number of points to help students choose the correct books. Students are encouraged to use the "five-finger" test to further determine is the book is within their reading range. The students extend a finger for each word they do not know on a page. If they reach five fingers before they come to the bottom of the page, the book may be too difficult for them to read comfortably.
As students pass the AR tests on their books, they earn points. These points are used to "purchase" items in our AR store. The students are able to "spend" their points at the end of each report card period. The more tests they pass after reading AR books, the more points they earn to spend in our store.
The program's goal is to motivate students to read more quality books and, in turn, become better readers. Our goal is to instill in our students a life-long love of reading.
