We aspire to create a culture and love for reading and Accelerated Reader is a fantastic software programme to support pupils to become independent readers. We use it to motivate, monitor and manage our pupil’s independent reading practice from Year 2 upward.
The benefits of reading for pleasure and independence?
- 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
- It can have a positive impact on pupils’ emotional and social behaviour
- It can have a positive impact on text comprehension and grammar
- It creates a culture of reading and enjoyment of reading.
How does it work?
The programme is designed to work out a reading level (or STAR reading level) for pupils at the start (by means of a STAR test). Pupils 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 ‘zone’.
Pupils then read the book of their choice that has matched their interests. They can read books in class and at home. Following reading the book or text pupils take a quiz on the website after reading each book to assess how well they understood it.
Both the pupil and teacher receive feedback on the quiz results. Their STAR level is tested frequently to check how well they have progressed.
As well as being about promoting reading and academic achievement, AR is also about the enjoyment of reading and creating a real culture of reading.