AR Goals - What's it all about?

Monthly AR Goals

One of the important parts of becoming an independent learner is the ability to set reasonable goals, and then meet them.  In fourth grade, we use the Accelerated Reader  (AR) program as one tool to accomplish this.

Each month, 4th graders will set an AR goal, take online tests on the books they read, and then meet their goal by the deadline.  Mrs. Galagan will be assisting students in this effort, but parent support is crucial, too.  Please encourage your child by setting aside time each night for reading, checking the planner for Reading assignments given in class, and monitoring progress toward each monthly goal

Students will also be a part of a Read to Feed program again this year.  For every AR point a student earns, Mrs. Galagan will give the student a nickel to put in the Read to Feed Barn in her classroom.  We will be sending our money each month to the Wellington Orphanage in Sierra Leone, Africa.  The students there need school supplies, uniforms, and school lunches.  Did you know that it costs $2 a day to feed school lunch to the entire 84 students at the Orphanage school?  Mrs. Galagan is hoping to join her sister there this summer to teach writing to the students at the orphanage school.

Last year we sent $150 worth of animals to provide food and income for families who had very little food and money to live on. 

How do students earn AR points?
1.  Each student has taken the STAR Reading test which gives them a reading range of books within their Instructional Reading Level.  Students are encouraged to check out books within that range (or slightly above).  Books can be non-fiction or fiction, from home or school or the public library, and preferably chapter books.
2.  Students read the books at school and/or at home.
3.  This website has a link to take AR tests (on the home page, near the bottom of the page).
4.  The testing window is from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.  Students can test at home or at school.
5.  When a test is taken, points are awarded based on the point value of the book and the success (60% or better) on the test.
6.  Mrs. Galagan provides incentives in the Reading classroom for each book and test students take.  These incentives occur AT LEAST once a week.  Progress towards goals is shared on a regular basis with each student.

If students are having difficulty passing the AR tests, Mrs. Galagan can provide assistance with the testing situation to ensure success.