Accerleated Reader

I have had a love/hate relationship with Accelerated Reader throughout my teaching career.  When I first began teaching it was required at my school but I had no idea how to motivate students to actually read each night.  This is when I really didn't like AR as I could not figure out how to make it successful for my students. 

Fast forward to my 14th year of teaching and I am blessed to be teaching in a school where Accelerated Reader is valued by my principal and all adults within the building.  When students go to the media center, the media specialist pulls up the students reading range information and students are not permitted to choose books that are not within their reading range.  Students are also required to check out two fiction and two non fiction books each week.  This ensures that students are reading a variety of genres throughout their elementary career. 

But of course how to motivate students seems to be the biggest hurdle for most teachers.   I am really excited to share with you the variety of ways in which I have encouraged my students to continue to read for the entire nine weeks and to reach their AR goal.  Many of them have gone beyond their goal and they will be rewarded for that as well.  Eighteen of my twenty-three students have met their goal this nine weeks with 85% accuracy or higher. 

First and foremost I make reading an AR book non-negotiable.  Students are reminded of this each morning when they enter the room.  I have a power point that is visible each morning and one of the items is about reading.  Here is an example:

Students see some version of this each morning which sends a clear message that reading is a priority within our classroom. 

Status of the Class

Status of the Class happens each afternoon after lunch.  Students are called to the back table one at a time and must show me their AR book and report what page number they are on.  I record it in my binder.  It is a great way to keep track of how long it is taking a student to read a book and provides me an opportunity to informally track who might need guidance on choosing books or who needs their reading levels adjusted.  Click here to download a free version of Status of the Class.  You will be amazed at how much this can improve your classes reading goals and how little time it will take once the routine has been established. 

Special Table

My grade level is fortunate enough to be the last lunch to eat each day.  This provides us the opportunity to be the only grade level in the cafeteria during our lunch time.  My grade level has established the special table as a reward for students who are at their weekly goal and have 85% accuracy on their AR reading.  I pull the report every Friday and determine who gets to sit at the special table.  Students at the special table do not have to spend the first ten minutes eating silently and can sit with classmates that they normally wouldn't get to sit with.  As an added bonus I provide a small treat to each student who has earned the right to sit at the special table that week. 

Raffle Tickets

Each time a student takes a test they have the opportunity to earn raffle tickets for our treasure box.   They love earning raffle tickets.  My system for keeping track of who earned tickets is simple students just write their name on the white board at the front of the room if I am unable to get their tickets immediately.  Students who earn a 100% on their test earn four raffle tickets, a 90% earns three raffle tickets and an 80% earns one raffle ticket.  Students who earn a 100% or 90% also earn a piece of candy.  Tickets placed in the treasure box are pulled each Friday and the students earn a small treat, usually a mini-tootsie roll or some other small piece of candy. The student who has the most points for the nine weeks and the student with the most points for that week also earn a special prize.  Here is my treasure box and the container that I keep my raffle tickets in. 

The Ten Surprise or more

The newest incentive is what it is called the ten surprise.  Students who earn 10 points over their goal are given a special treat bag.  Students can also earn a 20 surprise, a 30 surprise, etc.  My students will receive this for the first time tomorrow and they are so excited.  They don't even know what it is but they have worked so hard to earn one!  I just went to the Dollar Tree and filled a lunch bag with puzzles, pencils, and other little trinkets.  I cannot wait to see their faces when they get their reward tomorrow. 

I hope this will provide you with some ideas for making AR more enjoyable for your students.  After all as teachers we know that the way to become better readers is to read more.  For some students this seems to come naturally, for others not so much.  We have to find ways to encourage all students to read regardless of their reading ability.  Even the best reader can improve their reading by reading a wide range of books. 

If you have any great ideas for encouraging more reading please leave a comment with your ideas!