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Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader – Enhancing Your Child's Reading Experience (Year 3 and Year 4)

At St. Edward's, we are committed to helping every child develop a lifelong love of reading. As part of this commitment, we use Accelerated Reader (AR), a powerful tool that supports reading development by guiding, monitoring, and motivating children as they progress through their reading journey.

What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?

Accelerated Reader is a reading programme designed to personalise reading practice for each child. It helps students select books that match their reading level, monitors their comprehension through quizzes, and tracks their progress over time. By providing tailored reading suggestions and feedback, AR helps children build confidence and become more independent readers.

How Does AR Work?

  1. Reading Level Assessment: At the start of the year, your child will take a Star Reading assessment, a quick and adaptive test that identifies their reading level, also known as a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development). This ZPD range helps your child select books that are challenging but achievable.

  2. Choosing Books: Once their ZPD is established, children can choose from a wide range of books at their level. Our school library, as well as local libraries, are stocked with AR-compatible books. Each book has an associated quiz to ensure comprehension.

  3. Taking Quizzes: After finishing a book, your child takes a short online quiz to assess their understanding of what they’ve read. These quizzes cover key aspects of the story, such as plot, characters, and themes.

  4. Tracking Progress: AR provides regular feedback on your child’s reading performance, including their quiz scores, total word count, and the number of books read. Teachers use this data to offer guidance and adjust reading recommendations.

How Does Accelerated Reader Benefit Your Child?

  • Personalised Reading Practice: AR ensures that your child is reading books at the right level for their ability, which helps them grow as a reader without becoming frustrated or bored.
  • Increased Motivation: AR’s points system and regular quizzes keep children motivated by rewarding them for their efforts. They can track their progress, see how many words they’ve read, and work towards reading goals.
  • Improved Comprehension: The quizzes help reinforce understanding and encourage children to engage more deeply with the books they read, developing their critical thinking and comprehension skills.

How Can Parents Support Accelerated Reader at Home?

  • Encourage Regular Reading: Set aside time for your child to read every day. Whether it’s for fun or part of their homework, the more they read, the more confident they will become.
  • Help Choose AR Books: Use the AR BookFinder tool (available online) to help your child find books within their ZPD range. You can search by title, author, or book level.
  • Discuss the Books: Talk to your child about what they’re reading. Ask questions about the story, their favourite characters, or what they’ve learned to keep them engaged.
  • Celebrate Achievements: Encourage your child by celebrating their reading milestones, whether it’s the number of books read, words counted, or points earned through quizzes.

Stay Connected

You can stay up to date with your child’s reading progress through Home Connect, a feature of AR that allows you to view quiz scores, points earned, and books completed. Log in using your child’s credentials to see how they’re doing and offer extra encouragement.

For more information or any questions about Accelerated Reader, feel free to contact your child’s teacher.