We have begun our Accelerated Reading (AR) program. Children should be reading 30 minutes every evening. Students have been tested by STAR, which is a computerized comprehensive reading assessment. This enables them to read within a range of books that should be in their “comfort zone” or within a range that is neither too easy nor too hard. Each nine-weeks student’s will have a reading goal of a certain amount of points they must earn. As each book is read, a general computerized comprehensive test is taken over the book. To reach his/her reading goal, students must be reading daily both in class and at home. Books read as whole group in class will not be counted. Books must be within each student’s reading range. An incentive for students to attain each reading goal is recognition during the awards assembly at the end of each nine-weeks for those who have met his/her goal. Please help your child by being a part of their reading experience each evening. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading on a daily basis. Comprehension skills improve, and children build up their “reading endurance” or their ability to read greater amounts of material without tiring so easily. These two areas are the key to success on the STAAR test that they will be taking this year in fourth grade.

Your child’s reading equivalency and reading range are listed below as tested by the STAR program. Printouts will be sent home periodically to inform you of your child’s progress in meeting his/her goal. I will monitor students’ progress with this reading assignment to some degree. Because it is an independent reading assignment, students are also held responsible for meeting the overall reading goal. Students may take an AR test on any day, first thing in the morning before the announcements and on Monday during our computer time. There may be time during the class to take a test if they have completed all of their work. Because I also have many AR books on my classroom shelf for students to check out, getting an AR book should never be a problem.

Once again, thank you for your help and support. I know we both share the common goal of making this a learning as well as positive experience for your child this year.