The Accelerated
Reader score—like all other scores—will be curved. This means that, at the
beginning of the semester, I cannot tell you exactly what it will be out of.
However, I can make a guarantee: if you earn 20 AR points, your grade will be
an A or a B. So all you have to worry about is trying to earn 20 points.
The
maximum number of points you can earn is 50.
Point
values are already assigned to Accelerated Reader (AR) books based on the
length and difficulty of the book; therefore, reading three or four short or
simple books might be equal to reading one long or difficult book.
The
sooner you finish a book, the better. Holding a book for too long a period of
time lessens your chances of passing the test.
The AR
list can be found by going to the VHS home page, then clicking “Library,” then
clicking “Accelerated Reader List.”
You may not read any book
on the list!
To
determine if the book you have chosen qualifies, it must meet three conditions:
1. It must be on the VHS Accelerated
Reader list. (This does not mean that the book itself must come from the VHS
library.)
2. It must be worth at least 5 points
but not more than 16 points.
3. It must not appear on the DO NOT
READ list.
If you
spend a month reading a book that was not a qualifying book, I’m very sorry for
you, but you have no one but yourself to blame for choosing a non-qualifying
book.
Choose
books based on your desire to read them, not on their point value. Many people
get in over their heads by choosing a book merely for its high point value.
They carry the book around all semester and never read it. Frequently, these
people learn too late that they would have been better off having read several
simpler books over the same period of time. Remember: you know your own reading
level and reading habits better than anyone else. Please make wise decisions in
your book selections. If after reading a few pages you decide you don’t like
the book, please return it and get another.
It is
important to remain in good standing with the library. If you run up some fines
or become a library outcast, you will have trouble fulfilling the AR portion of
my class. Remember that you can’t check out books unless you bring your ID card
with you.
Don’t
check out books for friends, and don’t ask friends to check out books for you.
Each time
I receive an overdue notice from the library with your name on it, you will
receive a minus five on the seating chart.
To earn
your points, you simply get a book, show me the book, read it, and pass the
test on it. You are not allowed to take the test unless I have seen the book
previously. Book tests are to be taken in my room, not in the library or
anywhere else. When you have finished a book, tell me. I will arrange for you
to take the test sometime during that class period. Either 6 out of 10 or 14
out of 20 (multiple choice) is required to pass a test. Once you enter an
answer you may not go back and change it. If you fail a test, you may not take
the test over again. There is no such thing as previewing a test.
Don’t try
to cut corners. You need to actually read the book you have. Otherwise, don’t
take the test. You may not retake tests if you fail them.
To
reinforce the idea that the book you are reading is something to be taken
seriously, I’ve set a limit on how rapidly you may take tests:
points weeks
5-8 2
9-12 3
13-16 4
If you
are reading a three-week book, for example, you may take the test during
that three-week period, and you may begin reading a new book—but I only
allow students to get one book ahead of themselves. If you have a book that
would put you two books ahead, I will tell you to wait and show me that book at
a later time.
The other
limit I’ve set on book reading kicks in near the end of the semester: in the
final three weeks of the semester, any book test you take becomes your final
book test.
The
percentage you get on the test determines the number of points you get. For
example, if you score 80% on a ten-point book, you get eight points, not ten.
Get in
the habit of carrying your books with you everyday, everywhere you go.
With few
exceptions, Fridays will be reserved for reading in-class. I give ten seating
chart points for reading in class on that day. To get the ten points, you must
have the appropriate book and read for the entire allotted time. All others
receive a minus ten instead of a plus ten. If you plan on taking a book test on
Friday, the only way to get your ten points is to have your new book with you
so that you can begin your new book after taking your book test.
About AR Day and AR Books
·
On
AR day I give 10 points for bringing your book and reading for the full 23
minutes. Anything less than that earns minus 10 instead of plus 10.
·
Bring
your book with you. If you have to leave to go get it, you lose out on your
points.
·
One
exception: For those few people who are “two books ahead” and thus unable to
move forward, you can still earn your ten points by bringing something to read
and reading what you brought.
·
When
you read, sit up; don’t prop your head up.
·
Put
your hands on your book. If you are not touching your book, you’re not reading.
·
If
you start out reading, but later I see that you’ve stopped, you’ve moved from
plus 10 to minus 10.
·
When
I look up, I shouldn’t see you looking back at me. That’s just freaky.
·
If
you are absent, you get neither plus 10 or minus 10.
·
If
you need to use the 23 minutes of reading time to do a make-up test, you get
neither plus 10 or minus 10.
·
If
you get called out on a pass, you get neither plus 10 nor minus 10; but if you
ask me for a pass and leave, you get minus 10.
·
You
may take a book test on AR day, but you should have your new book in reserve.
Taking a book test on AR day without having a new book in reserve moves you
from plus 10 to minus 10.
·
If
you need a new book, you might consider asking for a library pass. If you don’t
have a book, you’re losing your ten points anyway. So you might as well get
something constructive done. This is also why you shouldn’t waste passes. A
library pass counts as your one pass for the two-week period.
·
Use
a book mark; if you have no book mark, ask me for a slip of scratch paper.
·
Pay
attention to your library book’s due date. Most people need the book for longer
than the library checks the book out to you. But you’re a big boy/girl. Just
stop in and renew your book before it’s overdue. When I receive an overdue book
slip from the library with your name on it, I convert that into a minus five.
How to Take a Test:
·
Always
ask first before taking a book test. If I’m not there—like on sub days, for
example—no one is to take a book test.
·
Tests
are not open book, so don’t take your book with you to the computer.
·
First
sign in on the clipboard. If you don’t sign in, I won’t know to look for your
points.
·
Then,
on the computer, find your name on the list of student names. If you are not
near the beginning of the alphabet, it is quicker to type in your last name.
·
Your
password is the same as your two-letter initials. But don’t tell anyone: this is your secret password.
·
You
will be given a choice between taking a test and checking your reading record.
You will want to take a test. But remember that the “Check Your Reading Record”
option is available if needed.
·
Find
your book. If your title begins with A, An, or The, use the second word of the
title.
·
If
your title is not near the beginning of the alphabet, it will be quicker to
type in the first word of the title.
·
After
your test, there might be a few screens to click through. When you get back to
the list of student names, you’re done. Just walk away from the computer. You
don’t need to tell me your score—I will periodically retrieve the scores from
the computer anyway.
QUESTIONS
1.
Mr.
Moeller’s version of the AR list is not the same as the library’s version.
Therefore, …
2.
A
smaller book is just as good as a bigger book. Why?
3.
What
is the penalty for allowing your book to become overdue? Explain how this
penalty could be assessed numerous times for the same book.
4.
What
is the total number of places where you may take an AR test?
5.
You
show me a book. I say, “OK, three weeks.” Explain what I mean by “three weeks.”
6.
You
bring a book with you on “AR (reading in class) day.” You finish your book and
take your book test, but instead of getting a plus 10 you get a minus 10. In
order to take a book test on that day and still keep your 10 points, what else
would have been necessary?
7.
To
take an AR test, the computer will ask for your secret password. What is your
secret password?
8.
You
don’t find the test for your book anywhere on the computer. Assuming you
correctly know the name of your book and how to spell the title, not finding
your book on the computer means that you failed to follow what instruction?