Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader is a program we use at Union to encourage reading and check comprehension. AR books are labeled by colored dots according to reading level.  After a student reads an AR book, they take a computerized test to determine what they understood and remembered from the story they read.  The students earn points from each test that they pass.

Students will accumulate points all year long.  As each student earns points, they have an opportunity to move up six different levels (Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond).  As they reach a new level, they receive different rewards.  Our top readers who reach the Diamond Level will be able to participate in an extra field trip this year! Students will be able to move levels based on the number of points they earned. The number of points each book is given is based on the length of the book, difficulty of words and reading level. Typically, the lower the reading level, the lower the number of points a book is allotted.

Students in kindergarten through second grade are encouraged to read their books three times before taking a test.  The first time they read the story they are decoding the words, the second time they are comprehending the story, and the third time through helps them remember the details.  A parent or sibling may read to kindergarten students until they can read on their own.

If you have any questions about AR or the library, please feel free to call me at 815.726.5218 or email me at jdeyoung@union81.com.