Accelerated Reader
Hearing from Teachers—Book Choices
My friend who's a youth librarian just wrote me that her seventh-grade daughter who is in an AR-deranged school will not be allowed to read The Chocolate War for credit because the mindless mechanical "zone" (Vygotsky is surely rolling over in his grave) they use puts it at 5th grade level.
Would someone please tell me again why this company makes billions in profits every year, and what it is they do that teachers can't do better?
Response: This happens when teachers make Accelerated Reader the number one component in their reading instruction. If it's not on the list, he should be encouraged to read it!!!! The teachers at my school encourage the kids to get AR points, but they ALSO remind them that they shouldn't let AR keep them from reading books that interest them. HOW FRUSTRATING! The AR tests, by the way, are TERRIBLE! At least the ones that I've seen.
Response: I will not get off my rant here. However, the latest issue of JOURNAL OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE is devoted to this madness. I noticed a wonderful letter from you among the articles and letters and rebuttals.
I have enough horror stories to fill a book, just from my own 3 kids. My senior AP Honors 12th grader still has to read in her ZPD and we all know that means BORRRINNNNNGGGGGG! My 5th grader's AR goal for this six weeks is 120 points (she is a voracious reader thankfully) so she is devouring lots of little books. And the 7th grader met her goal by taking the HP V test. Now, as she puts it, she can read what she wants.
It is a crying shame that SPEAK and NIGHTJOHN are forbidden to the correct audience because their reading level is too far beneath the ZPD of the kids.
Trying hard not to burst another blood vessel over AR.
Response: They have a great marketing department. Have you ever been to one of their conferences? Oh man, you would think they have re-invented teaching.
Has anyone seen their math program? I am interested in hearing opinions about that as well.
Response: My middle school has just begun to use the math program—it is supplemental; it does not take the place of regular classroom teaching but supplements it. My teammate, who is not easily impressed with anything, is using it and loves it! She feels that AM allows her to address individual learning rates and needs; plus she gets to know the students in different ways by working with them individually and in small groups that change according to need. She seems revitalized! Sounds great to me!!
Response: I may have missed part of this discussion, but I love AR. HOWEVER, I allow my 8th graders (even those scoring 13+) to read any book 5th grade level or above and spend some time explaining how different methods derive different reading levels, so they are not to worry too much about the reading level. Those reading below 13+ can go even lower anyway. My reading list shows how different "lists" may vary as much as 5 years in their reading level label.
The thing I like about AR is that it is a quick comprehension check that I don't have to grade and the posting of club levels or goal reachers does challenge some to read more. A few like the "goodies" they can purchase with points once per nine weeks at our school store. Also, I never assign more than 37 points for a goal because I want them to be able to read books that we do not yet have the AR quiz for. I also allow them to "cheat" to beat the system by taking both versions of HP and the Sorcerer's Stone/Philosopher's Stone and filling in with quick reads to make up for the longer novels. I think AR is like any other teaching tool: it can be modified to be useable.
Response: Our distinct is one of those that is AR nuts (we actually meet with the AR people frequently and all of our training comes from them). With that said, if a kid wants to read a book, I let them read a book! Restricting a kid to a certain book level is not the program, it's the interpretation of the program by others that gets crazy! Oh, and even my best readers in 7th grade—those who test in at 12th reading level—could read an AR book on the 5th reading level if the ZPD is set correctly!
Response: YOU can set the ZPD???? This ain't what Vygotsky had in mind. Please, has anyone noticed that the AR folks are just using some buzz words and counting on the fact that teachers really don't know anything about Vygotsky and his theories? You are all better than this.
Response: I agree with all the things that have been said on this issue...Our school invested beau coup bucks WITHOUT consulting English teachers on this program several years ago. A mere 25 points for 8th graders is a drop in the bucket: shows we are using the program, allows kids ample time to choose (funny coincidence is that lots of the AR books are ones that are in my classroom library that they love...speak, silent to the bone, letters from the inside...etc.) Besides the 10 pointer...students choose a method of extending their learning from their book a la a post from this listserver...I think I am covered...AND there is some joy with being able to read X # of points...A hold over from the stars on a chart syndrome...Nevertheless, for me, this is a good balance on a philosophical battlefied. When asked (and not asked) about the value of AR, I tell them where I honestly stand.
Response: I second that thinking. I have spent quite a bit of my own and grant money over the past two years on individual titles and small group sets, and with independent reading time, I find that the books fly out of the room. I have at least a dozen students who have read four or more novels since school started.
I believe as Lucy Calkins advocates that the beginning of the year is the time to build reading stamina since most kids do little "brain building" reading over the summer. The one trick is to be able to match kids and books—we've simply got to read these titles ourselves and get to know our kids.The author of Reconsidering Read Aloud advocates reading a YA title a week, and I think she's dead on. Once kids find authors and genres that they enjoy, they're on their way to becoming good readers.
I've also given up what I found to be time-wasting "extension" projects this year, something I thought I'd never do. Yet I realized that the time that kids spend creating book jackets, diroamas, etc., could be better spent reading something else! One exception I'll make is if the book extension is something that demands more reading (maybe a Reader's Theater script) or some new craft of writing (a screenplay).
The one thing that continues to be difficult for me is grading. I've tried taking anecdotal notes and grading based on workshop behavior, the quantity of pages read, etc., but it does't work right for me. I still struggle with giving a reading grade. Any suggestions?
Response: You will find that kids will read if you just buy the books. No school needs AR. I would never never never trust and company that makes a travesty of Vygotsky the way AR does. The school I taught in for 14 years never had AR and kids checked books out of the library all the time. Reading workshop, a library full of YA and chapter books are all you need. A classroom library doesn't hurt either. Save your money and get over the idea that you have to make sure kids read the books.
October 2003
Related Information:
Accelerated Reader (Elementary)
Accelerated Reader (Middle)
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