One of the most requested items at Northside is more tools and resources to help support student learning at home. The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is one of the best ways you can do this. Children who read for enjoyment perform better in school, and have improved vocabulary, spelling, and even math scores.
What is AR?
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a reading program that encourages students to read books at their own level and interest and then take a short quiz about the book to demonstrate their understanding. Students earn AR points based on the books they read and successfully complete quizzes on.
AR can be a great way to encourage students to read books they enjoy while also giving them a goal to work toward. Students can read books from home, the public library, their classroom library, or our school library. Students may begin taking AR quizzes now.
How Can Your Child Participate?
We are making AR as simple as possible so that every student has an opportunity to participate.
1. Read! Encourage your child to read every day at home. They can choose books that interest them and that are appropriate for their reading level.
2. Take the AR Quiz. After finishing an AR book, students can log in to AR and take the quiz for that book right from home. Their teacher can help them with their login information if needed. Students must use their own school login to the BDS Launchpad at login.classlink.com/my/bayschools and then click on Renaissance where you will find AR.
3. Keep Track of Reading. Students will receive an AR Reading Log from their teacher. Depending on the classroom, logs may be sent home weekly or kept for a longer period of time. Families can use the log to keep track of the books their child reads and the AR points they earn. Extra logs can be printed from here:
4. Work Toward Prizes! Students will have opportunities to earn prizes as they reach different AR point levels throughout the year. We will celebrate students' reading accomplishments and encourage them to continue working toward their next goal.
How Can Parents/Families Help?
You don't have to be an expert to support your child's reading! Some of the best ways to help are simply to:
Encourage your child to read every day.
Ask your child about what they are reading.
Help your child remember to record books on their AR Reading Log.
Help your child log in and take AR quizzes when appropriate.
Celebrate their progress and encourage them to work toward their next reading goal.
Look for opportunities to read together at home, at the public library, or anywhere your family enjoys reading.
Our goal is not simply to earn points. We want to use AR to help build a culture where students see reading as something enjoyable, valuable, and worth celebrating.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's learning at home. We are excited to see our students read, grow, and reach their reading goals this year!
If you have questions about AR or need help accessing your child's account, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Happy Reading, Northside!