Students in the Lowell Area School district who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade this school year are able to continue the Accelerated Reader (AR) program during summer break through Arrow Readers on the Move. Students can check out books based on their reading ability and take the quiz for each book. It’s free to participate and online registration is easy.
Early Literacy Accomplishments Leads to Increased High School Retention
Have you heard about the magic of third grade? Many involved in education look for students in third grade, where the transition from learning to read to reading to learn occurs, to obtain grade level reading milestones. Therefore those who are not reading at third grade standards by the end of the school year are more likely to struggle in subsequent grade levels. An increased risk of turning away from education before high school graduation if reading proficiency was not achieved in third grade has also been noted. The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is just one national group with a focus on helping students be at the appropriate reading level by the end of 3rd grade.
A portion of the funding Lowell Area Schools will receive from the recently passed Strong Schools Strong Community millage will go toward literacy programs for those in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Classrooms have dedicated time for literacy. The Accelerated Reader program also helps students work at their own pace when it comes to reading and reading comprehension.
Accelerated Reader Promotes Choice and Self-Paced Reading
Typically during the third trimester in kindergarten the Accelerated Reader program is introduced. By this time students have learned basic skills needed for reading such as letter sounds and some sight words. The introduction includes determining a starting reading level for individuals, explaining how to find appropriate level books in the school library, and explaining how to complete quizzes which are taken after the completion of each book.
Teachers and librarians help guide students in elementary school with AR selections. Families see books come home typically in a ziplock bag with a reading log. In the back of each book the AR level and quiz number are written. The book level corresponds to grade and month. For example a book with a 1.8 level indicates it’s for students in first grade in the eighth month of the school year making it easy for parents to determine if their child(ren) are on target, need some help, or are advanced.
Students learn at various paces. Through AR, books can be checked out according to an individual’s reading level. With numerous books available at each level kids can pick a book which looks interesting. Both fiction and nonfiction books are available as well. Books are checked out and can be returned the following day or a few days after taking something home.
AR promotes family involvement. Family members are asked to read with children and ask questions about the book to test comprehension. They’re also the best advocates for knowing whether a book is easy, just right, or hard to read. The whole family will be able to see progress as levels become easy and the challenge of a higher level is needed.
When a book is returned another can be checked out. Upon completion of a book there is a quiz. For younger readers the computer based quiz questions are read to students with multiple choice answers also dictated. Older students read questions on their own.
Arrow Readers on the Move
Summer vacation from school can bring some worry about the summer slide, where kids take steps backward due to lack of consistent learning achieved during the school year. Arrow Readers on the Move gives students the chance to keep up with their reading skills and even improve over the break from school.
In approximately 1995 the Accelerated Reader program was introduced in Lowell Schools. It started with four 2nd grade classes at Cherry Creek Elementary and has since spread throughout all of the elementary schools in the district. Arrow Readers on the Move has been around for about 10 years. Kim Lum is a teacher at Cherry Creek and is the coordinator of the traveling program. She staffs the events, works with the facilities where the program will take place, and makes sure materials and supplies are ready. “This program is available to all students in the Lowell Area School District including those who choose a different education plan than our classrooms. We want to help all learners love to read and keep on gaining and achieving.” says Lum.
During the months of June and July students who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade are able to check out AR books and take quizzes. Staff familiar with the program will be available to answer questions and help students find books and take quizzes. An AR Book Finder will be used to locate level appropriate books. There will also be a small selection of books which can be checked out if the traveling program is not at a library.
Depending on what grade level a student has completed there will be a goal of how many points, which are earned by completing the quizzes, are needed to earn various prizes. Coupons for ice cream, t-shirts with the AR logo, and lunch bags are among the items kids can earn this summer.
Get Out and Read
This year funding for Arrow Readers on the Move is being sponsored by Lowell Area Schools through the district’s general fund. In 2015 and 2016 the Lowell Rotary Club donated $3,000 each year. Jim White is a member of the club and retired principal from the Lowell Area School District. “Supporting the Arrows on the Move allows our teachers to have funds to open the libraries during the summer months. And those teachers who help with this share their love of reading with any students interested in ‘heading to the library to pick out a good book’. Ask any teacher what the number one priority is in school and you will hear that kids need to just read!” states White.
Approximately 200 students in the district participate in Arrow Readers on the Move with the hope of increasing that number this year through expanding awareness of the program and opportunities for those who want to participate. New this year through a partnership with Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) the mobile AR program will be at Lunch Buddies for three hours each Tuesday.
As students progress or remain at their current reading level their progress is tracked due to web-based quizzes. This record remains with each student and teachers are able to review previous work. So a new teacher in the fall will be able to see a student participated in AR over the summer and whether or not any improvement was made. Lum concludes, “Our school families work so hard through the school year along with our teachers to help all students learn to love reading and grow as readers. Summer is a time of freedom for kids and families to relax and choose any text they’d like. By joining us and using our resources our students can continue to see their growth as readers and keep the gains made over the school year.” The program is free and online registration can be completed by filling out a form.
While the program has been around for quite a few years it has been growing and evolving over time. One of Kim Lum’s dreams is to have a mobile vehicle giving participants the opportunity to check out books and take quizzes at additional locations and events. Lum and her team would love to be available during fair week, Pink Arrow Community Day, and other summer festivities. Having a vehicle equipped with all of the materials needed to serve the community would provide additional opportunities for kids to read.
Offering morning, afternoon, and evening times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays helps families be able to work around a busy schedule. The Arrow Readers on the Move locations and hours are as follows:
Tuesday, June 20 & 27, July 11, 18, & 25
Cherry Creek Media Center 9am-12pm
Flat River Outreach Ministries 1pm-4pm
Alto Public Library 6pm-8pm
Wednesday, June 21 & 28, July 12, 19, 26
Murray Lake Media Center 9am-12pm
Lowell Englehardt Library 5:30pm-7:30pm
Students can go to multiple locations in one week. Some have even gone to multiple locations in one day! Materials checked out from school media centers can be returned to a different school location. Staff will work to get the books back to their home library. The important thing is to encourage elementary school students to continue reading over the summer. Reading skills are needed in nearly every aspect of life. AR helps promote reading books for fun while still challenging a student’s reading level.
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