Accelerated Reader

Click here to log on to Accelerated Reader to take a quiz –

Our librarian is Ms Lis Jones
if you have any queries regarding the Accelerated Reader programme, please feel free to contact her by email on:

library@weaverhamhighschool.com

The library is open every day between 8.15am and 4pm and is open for all staff and pupils during those hours.  Please click here to view the school library website page.

About Accelerated Reader:

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer program that helps teachers to manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Your child picks a book at their own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer – passing the quiz is an indication that your child has understood what has been read.

What is a STAR reading test?

• A reading test that takes around 20 minutes to complete. It tells us the books that are best for your child to read on the Accelerated Reader scheme.
• If your child is reaching their targets, their reading levels should rise every time they take the STAR test.
• We will ask your child to take a STAR reading test each long term to check their progress.

What is a ZPD?

• ZPD stands for Zone of Proximal Development.
• Your child’s ZPD will have two numbers and will look something like this: 2.3—3.6. This is the range of book levels that best suit your child’s reading ability – they should find them comfortable to read, but at the upper end of the range a little challenging.
• Reading levels can be found on book spines. Each level has a colour, and there are posters up around the library to explain this.

Your child’s diagnostic
After your child’s first star test they’ll get a print out of a ‘diagnostic’ report, which looks like this:

The important bits: 
Where they are on the colour scale
* Red = your child will get immediate help with their reading
* Yellow = your child will get help with their reading
* Blue = your child may need help at some point if they don’t meet their targets
* Green = your child’s reading is on target and they probably won’t need any help

Their ZPD range (highlighted here in yellow)

Literacy Lessons

• Every fortnight your child will have one Literacy Lesson.
• During this lesson your child will complete a literacy activity and then be expected to read in silence. Your child’s book must be from their ZPD.
• Your child can also use this time to quiz on any books they’ve read and complete non-fiction article quizzes.
• What is an Accelerated Reader quiz?
• Once your child has read a book, they need to log on to the Accelerated Reader website and take a quiz. The quiz will be five or ten questions about the book, with multiple choice answers.
• They must quiz the book whilst it is fresh in their minds — ideally within 24 hours.
• Your child will aim to read and quiz on a book at least once every two weeks.
• In doing this they earn points; your child’s personalised target is generated using their ZPD range.
• AR quiz success contributes to the hotly contested AR Form Cup prize.
• We reward all Reading Millionaires in the summer with a celebration including pizza!

Finding a book

Fiction (story) books are arranged alphabetically by the author’s surname. Each book is marked with the AR Book level and a colour code to help your child find books in their ZPD range. The choice cover all types and genres of book, from classic children’s books to the latest verse novels, graphic fiction to fun information books.

Shorter books at levels 1.0 – 4.9 can be found in the clear plastic boxes near the front of the library.