Accelerated Reader Information

Welcome to our Accelerated Reader Programme

What is Accelerated Reader?

At its heart, Accelerated Reader is simple. A child reads a book, takes an online quiz, and gets immediate feedback. Children respond to regular feedback and are motivated to make progress with their reading skills. Accelerated Reader gives teachers the information they need to monitor children’s reading practice and make informed decisions to guide their future learning.

How does it work?

All the reading books in our Accelerated Reader Library have been levelled against the Accelerated Reader programme. Your child will choose a reading book at their level and on completion they will take an on-line quiz and if they pass the quiz they will gain points for their reading. One very important aspect of the Accelerated Reader programme is that children need to have read and understood the book to enable them to pass the online quiz.

How do we know what level of book the children should be reading?

Accelerated reader works alongside Star Reader. Regular STAR Reading assessments determine each child’s current reading level and the range of book levels within which the child ought to be reading in order to make the greatest progress. Children develop reading skills most effectively when they read appropriately challenging books – difficult enough to keep them engaged but not so difficult that they become frustrated. Through the use of individualised targets, teachers can personalise children’s reading practice based on the quantity and complexity of the books they read. The Accelerated Reader Book Finder website is a public search engine allowing children, teachers and parents to find appropriate books that interest every reader. The importance of daily personalised reading practice cannot be overstated. Recent studies indicate that when children spend 25 minutes a day reading suitably challenging books which they successfully understand (demonstrated by achieving 90% or more on the reading practice quiz), then they will achieve optimal reading age growth. This is the power of personalised practice.

How do teachers know how well the children are performing?

A comprehensive set of reports reveals how much a child has been reading, at what level of complexity, and how well they have understood what they have read. Vocabulary growth and literacy skills development are also measured, giving teachers insight into how well students have responded to reading schemes and class instruction.

How can parents support their child?

In the first instance encourage and support your child to read at home EVERY DAY and use the prompt sheet attached to ask your child questions about what they have read. Teachers will ensure that children have sufficient time allocated to them in school to take the online quizzes. Children and parents get instant feedback to help motivate success. Children receive a TOPS Report every time they complete a quiz. This stands for The Opportunity to Praise the Student, giving teachers the chance to recognise successes and plan next steps. Using Renaissance Home Connect, parents can view their children’s progress from home. Information of how to logon to Renaissance Home Connect is on the reverse of this letter.

Does Accelerated reader motivate children of all abilities?

Accelerated Reader is an effective support for children in need of intervention, giving them regular small successes as they develop their reading skills. Avid readers aim for large points targets and try to become Word Millionaires by reading a million words in the course of an academic year or term.