Accelerated Reader Program

At the end of this unit, the students will be able to...

a. Read, view, listen to, and evaluate written, visual, and oral communication.

b. Classify and categorize communications by themes and genres.

c. Compare and contrast various communications.

d. Recognize different viewpoints.

e. Draw conclusions and form opinions.

f. Take notes and record sources consulted.

g. Summarize main ideas.

h. Analyze and evaluate problem-solving strategies of characters in fiction, non-fiction, drama, or film.

i. Compare and contrast how cultural or social differences might have an impact on the problem and/or solution.

j. Analyze figurative language and literary techniques used in effective communication.

k. Examine cause and effect relationships in literature and other texts.

l. Distinguish between fact and opinion.

m. Relate literature and other texts to prior experiences.

n. Predict meanings of new words and concepts from text.

Yes

1.  Students are assessed after they read their books.  Students choose book based on reading level and genres.  Students are assessed on their book reports by

Non-Fiction:  explain why student chose book, use details to explain new ideas/facts (distinguishing fact and opinion) learned from the reading (draw conclusions), and defend why or why not you would recommend this book to a peer (forming opinions).

Fiction: describe the main setting  of the book, describe the protagonist, describe the antagonist, explain the conflict (recognizing different viewpoints), describe the resolution to the conflicts (compare and contrast communications, draw conclusions, summarizing main ideas, analyzing and evaluating problem-solving strategies), and defend why or why not you would recommend this book to a peer (forming opinions).

**Other skills assessed can be comparing and contrasting cultures, analyzing figurative language, examining cause and effect relationships, distinguishing fact and opinion, relating reading to prior experiences, and predicting meanings of new words and concepts

2.  Students are also assessed by keeping notes up-to-date during the reading of class books.

80%

The students will:

1. Take the STAR test on the computer which evaluates their reading level.  Once assigned a reading level range, find a book in the LMC (Library Media Center) to read.

2. Read chosen AR book, pass AR computer generated test, and write a book report. (Two per quarter)

3. Write a book report using one of the two outlined forms. 

4. Occasionally, read a class book together, out loud.  Take notes daily as to what has been read. (The teacher types the notes on the Smartboard for students to copy. Some of our books have audio tapes for students to listen to.)

**AR is a portion of the Communication Arts Grade.

The teacher will:

1.  Assist students in taking the STAR test on the computer to evaluate their reading level.

2.  Assign students with their reading level range in which to use to find books in the LMC.

3.  Assist students with taking AR computer generated test over their chosen book, assign a book report.

4.  Discuss and model the reading of class books.  Type notes for class books onto the smart board for students to copy.

Library Computer Programs: AR, STAR, and Smartboard

60% is passing, students have the opportunity to read more books if they fail a test.

Read books above their Reading Level.

Visual notes on smartboard. Class read book. Audiotapes.