Accelerated Reader

2013-2014A Pierce PTSA program

Thank you to all the parents who volunteer their time to help make the

Accelerated Reader Program a success.

AR Co-ChairsSue Wright

suewright13@mac.comHannah Rhodes

hmrhodescpa@gmail.comMeredith Carrel

mfcarrel@comcast.net

Pierce Elementary School1829 Pierce Street

Birmingham, MI 48009

Motivate your child to read through a program they’ll love!

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a supplemental reading program at

Pierce Elementary School available to all students in grades 2-5.

AR offers students incentives to read and reinforces reading

comprehension throughout the school year in a fun,

individually-paced format.

Pierce Elementary Media Center HoursMonday-Friday

8:30-8:50am (for students taking AR quizzes with parent supervision)

8:50am-3:50pm (regular hours)Closed during lunch (12:30-1:10pm)

3:50-4:15 (for students taking AR quizzes with parent supervision)

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know if my child is eligible for the AR Program?

Every 2nd-5th grader is eligible and automatically has an AR Log-In and Password. You may get

them from your child’s teacher or media specialist. This is an elective program with the

purpose of encouraging reading.

Where can my child take the AR Tests?The Accelerated Reader testing tool is available on

all Pierce computers. It is up to the teacher to determine if tests may be taken in the classroom. Tests may be taken before and after school in the

Media Center.

What is the “Bounce Party”?As a student earns more points, he/she graduates

to different “star levels”. Students reaching the highest level (points needed are based on grade) are invited to the “Bounce Party” to celebrate the achievement. It is a fun party at Beverly Hills Club including games, crafts, pizza lunch and a bounce

house. This is during school hours and bus transportation is provided.

Who organizes, funds and runs the AR Program at Pierce?

The Pierce PTSA fully funds the Accelerated Reader program. Parent volunteers work the

entire year to make AR a success.

How can I get more information or volunteer?Please read the “Four Simple Steps” on this

brochure. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact one of the AR co-chairs.

Volunteer parents are needed on each of the “Point Harvest Dates” to properly award all the

involved students. We would love to have you!

How does Accelerated Reader work? Four simple steps!

Students read an AR book. Students choose books at their appropriate reading levels and read them independently and at their own pace. Visit www.arbookfind.com for book titles.

Students Take a Quiz. Students take multiple-choice reading comprehension quizzes for their books independently on a computer at school. Points are earned for correct answers. (For any credit, students must answer 60% of questions correctly.)

Points are “Harvested.”AR volunteers tally points for program participants approximately every six weeks. Students receive incentives when certain point thresholds are achieved. Students achieving the Gold-star level are invited to participate in a celebratory AR Bounce party at the end of the school year. Each grade has different point thresholds. See the AR bulletin board (outside Media Center) or the AR section of the Pierce PTSA website for details.

Progress is Shared with You.The AR Committee sends home reports indicating how many points your child has accumulated and what incentives have been earned.

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4For more information and updates, check out the AR bulletin board outside of the

Media Center or visit the AR Section of the Pierce PTSA Website.

What books are on the Accelerated Reader list?

If it’s in print, it’s most likely on the AR list. The list of AR books is endless. Chances are, your child has read many of them already! Books can be found in Pierce’s Media Center and you may also have books at home that are already on the list.

To search the AR catalog and see if the book has a corresponding AR quiz, visit www.arbookfind.com or look on the Pierce Media Center website.

Note: Quizzes cannot be accessed from a home computer. All quizzes must be taken on a school computer.

Accelerated Reader Dates to Remember

Student test-taking must be completed by noon every Tuesday preceding point harvesting (tallying) days.

Test-taking deadline (Noon)

Point Harvest

October 23rd October 24th

December 17th December 18th

February 12th February 13th

March 26th March 27th

May 7th May 8th

Level Incentive

1 Students may purchase an AR t-shirt ($10.00) to show their

participation and all the stars they will earn. Note: T-shirt

money is used to help fund the AR Program.

2 Yellow star iron-on

3 Purple star iron-on and student picture on AR Bulletin Board

4 Green star iron-on

5 Orange star iron-on and free book of choice from

AR bookshelf

6 Magenta star iron-on

7 Blue star iron-on and student name announced on

WPBS Morning Show

8 Silver star iron-on and $5 Books A Million gift card

9 Gold star iron-on, AR medal and invitation to the AR Bounce –

our end of year party on 5/29!

Accelerated Reader Point Thresholds

Students will earn the awards shown below for reaching pre-determined point levels. Grade-adjusted point levels will be sent home with your student.