Accelerated Reader at St. Mary Magdalene CE School Peninsula
“At St Mary Magdalene we understand that literacy helps our students make sense of the world, thus offers choices and better life chances.
Literacy strategies at St Mary Magdalene will ensure that students are competent in their subjects.” - Literacy Vision, St. Mary Magdalene CE School Peninsula.
What is St Mary Magdalene doing to help children develop literacy skills?
- Reading is embedding within the English and Family Group Worship Curriculum.
- Year 7, 8 and all Year 9 students have a reading and skills lesson once a week. The skills lessons aim to explicitly teach and develop writing skills and improve student competency in all subjects, especially written based subjects.
- Key Stage Four students access critical readings around their subjects and also reading surrounding current affairs, on a weekly basis.
- Student develop communicative skills during discussion, within their lessons.
- We use retrieval as a strategy that allows students to recall information and ‘pull the knowledge out’ of key skills/ concepts that underpin the discipline of their subjects, thus enhances their learning.
Why do we want students to read?
What are the benefits of reading for pleasure?
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Children who say they enjoy reading for pleasure are more likely to score well on reading assessments compared to pupils who said they enjoyed reading less
- There is some evidence to show that reading for pleasure is a more important determinant of children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status
- It can have a positive impact on pupils’ emotional and social behaviour
- It can have a positive impact on text comprehension and grammar.
What works in improving independent reading?
- An important factor in developing reading for pleasure is providing choice - choice and interest are highly related
- Parents and the home environment are essential to the early teaching of reading and fostering a love of reading; children are more likely to continue to be readers in homes where books and reading are valued
- Reading for pleasure is strongly influenced by relationships between teachers and children, and children and families.
What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a really effective software tool used by an increasing number of schools to foster reading growth. It encourages students to read widely and independently whilst allowing staff to monitor progress and support where necessary.
The programme is designed to work out a reading level (or STAR reading level) for students at the start (by means of a STAR test, completed in English lessons). Students then read books within this level – all books in the library that are registered with AR have a coloured star label on the spine to help them recognise books within their ‘ZPD’. Students take a quiz on the website after reading each book to assess how well they understood it. Their STAR level is tested every other term to see how they have progressed.
As well as being about promoting reading and academic achievement, AR is also about enjoyment of reading and creating a real culture of reading at St. Mary Magdalene CE School.
Who takes part in AR at St. Mary Magdalene CE School?
All students in year 7, 8 and 9 take part.
When does AR start?
Year 7 students will begin AR in the first term, through Literacy lessons. An English teacher will introduce and explain the programme and introduce STAR reading levels, the concept of quizzing and independent reading expectations.
How often does reading take place?
Students are required to read independently for the majority of their weekly reading lesson.
Of course, we encourage students to read independently at home as often as possible and this forms part of their English/Literacy progress.
What should Accelerated Reader sessions look like?
Students should all be reading independently or speaking to their teacher about their reading.
What can I do to ensure my son/daughter has a good reading routine?
- Make it clear that the reading book is part of the student’s essential equipment and is expected in their bags every day.
- Reading is not a punishment but something we want to make fun and purposeful.
- Encourage your child to read at home!
How is the library used in Accelerated Reader?
Students are encouraged to visit the library before and after school, as well as break and lunch times. Teachers may also take students to the library during Literacy lessons. During these visits, students should read in silence, change their book or take a quiz.
How and when should students change their books or take quizzes?
They are allowed to use the library for AR activities at break or lunchtime, before or after school.
How are students rewarded for their reading?
- Each fortnight, students with the highest word counts are displayed in classrooms. We will display the top reader in each year group and the top group in each year group. We also keep a running total word count for both year groups.
- At the end of the year, students with high score will be rewarded.
What about STAR tests?
STAR tests will take place two times per year. Students take them during English lessons.
Their class teacher and the librarian also have access to the levels, in case they forget!
If at any point you have a question or would like some support with improving your child’s reading, please don’t hesitate to contact me.