[MOSAIC] Accelerated Reading

[Mholley112 at aol.com]

Marg, I think it's all in the way it's implemented and used by the  teachers. 
Our district has had AR for several years (12 elementary schools).  
Interestingly enough, each school seems to have made it's own revisions on the  
program. Some schools only let their kids check out a new AR book weekly during  
their regular AR time. I have heard horror stories from teachers at one school  
whose librarian seemed to think she could dictate what books the kids got to  
check out. I personally think we do AR closer to what the program should be like 
 than any other school here. Here goes:
We dedicate one hour daily to AR. Why? because some of these kids never  pick 
up a book outside of school. Our librarian opens the library to the school  
from 10-11:30 (to accomodate those who have a different recess time). This hour 
 allows time for reading mini-lessons and for the kids to get fresh books 
when  they need them. We use the STAR program to initially set reading levels, 
but  quickly adjust those to where students are comfortable. The kids pick 
whatever  they want to read. Because of money we receive for AR books, we have 
built a  really great library full of non-fiction at all levels as well as 
fiction. We do  not use AR as an incentive program. Strangely enough, just getting to 
read  and take the tests (the kids like that) seems to be enough. Recognition 
comes in  the form of participating in a hall run high-fiving the other 
students as they  line the halls when students meet their annual goals. No 
t-shirts, gimics or  prizes. As you say, extrinsic rewards have not proven to be 
effective. I know  the tests do not teach comprehension. That is our job in the 
classroom. We teach  them to dig in and to also enjoy the reading. The tests do 
give some  accountability. I can check the program to see who is reading and 
who is just  playing around when I'm not watching. AR at our school didn't start 
out like  this, but we are evolving. We are doing Strategy study this year 
with our  teachers in hopes that all of them will at least be willing to try 
this. Our  AR time is custom-made for the self=selected reading time after 
strategy  workshop. 
 
It's all in what you make it to be, how you set it up, and how you use.  it.
 
Cheryle
New Mexico



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