​AR... As most students know, AR stands for Accelerated Reader. Unfortunately, those two letters strike fear in the hearts of some students. During my class, I try my best to dispel the fear of not only the AR program, but reading itself. As someone who loves to read, I try my very best to find books that fit my students and (hopefully) turns them into lifelong readers!
AR is a program that helps teachers assess individual reading levels, gives personal goals, and lets the student choose from almost any book in order to earn points. The program also gives students a chance to assess whether or not they have understood what they read by giving them a short, multiple choice test. Most tests are 10 questions, but if the book is super long, there might be twenty questions, but all are multiple choice. At the end of each test, a screen will pop up giving them a score, but also letting the student know how many points have been accrued for that book and their average on tests.
If you need to look up a book, please go to http://www.arbookfind.com.
Reading Grade for 6th
This year, the 6th grade ELA department at Stillwater Middle School would like to offer two options for our big reading grade that is required at the end of each nine weeks. Independent reading is a required standard. Therefore, the independent reading grade is worth 100 points for the nine weeks. Each nine weeks, students will pick one of these options by the following date. Once a student has picked an option, they cannot change their choice.
January 13
The Language Arts teachers are aware that Mr. Baldwin (SMS librarian) offers fun activities for those students who reach their AR goal. If a student does both options, extra credit will be given.
Option 1: Each student will take a STAR test at the beginning of each nine weeks. That test will determine an individual Accelerated Reading (AR) goal for each student. The student may then decide to take enough AR tests to reach their goal. The percentage of points earned toward their goal will determine their grade out of 100 points. The student will more than likely have to read two books or more to accomplish this goal. Keep in mind, a reflective piece will be completed for each book.
The due dates for this option are as follows:
May 15
Required:
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Read enough books and take AR tests over each book read in order to get assigned number of points
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Reflection #1 Due on April 7
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Reflection #2 Due on May 15
Option 2: The student will have an opportunity to do a writing assignment over TWO books that were read during the current nine weeks. Each book needs to be at least 100 pages and appropriate for their reading level and interest. They will need two different subgenres. Books from previous nine weeks do not count. This book needs to be fresh in your mind in order to do well on the writing assignment. The writing assignment will include the following and will need to be stapled together to turn in by May 15.
Required:
1. Reflection #1 Due on April 7
2. Refection #2 Due on May 15
3. A complete summary over the book. Students need not worry about ruining the end of the book.
This will need to be completed on their own paper in at least 7-10 sixth grade sentences.
a. Summary and Pick Two over first book due on April 7
b. Summary and Pick Two over second book due on May 15
Pick 2 out of 4 options below (on your own paper and in complete sentences):
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List of all major and minor characters (stating which are major and which are minor). Please write down at least two character traits that you read that pertain to each of the major characters. Tell whether your major characters are static or dynamic and why.
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State in a complete sentence the setting of your book choice(s). How did you know? Please give some examples with page numbers in the book that helped you figure out the setting. State in a complete sentence the theme of your book choice and why you believe that theme fits your book. Make sure to give at least two examples of your characters proving your theme choice.
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Draw an illustration of your book (must be original) that was meaningful. Include a 3-5 sentence summary on why you chose your illustration and how it goes with the book.
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Write a three paragraph essay. In the first paragraph, compare your choice to another book you have read in the past. In the second paragraph, compare the book you read to something happening in the world today. In the third paragraph, compare the book to your own life. Each paragraph should have at least 5-7 sixth grade sentences.
****Every student (no matter which option) will fill out two reflection pieces on up to two books they have read during the current nine weeks. The student will be responsible for getting a reflection sheet after they have finished a book. There is a designated spot in my classroom for these reflections. A student will be able to pick up a reflection at any time throughout the nine weeks. Each reflection will be worth 100 points for a total of 200 points by the end of the nine weeks. Grammar and spelling will be important so the students need to have their best writing on the reflections. Their first reflection will be due halfway through the nine weeks on April 7, 2017. The breakdown of what is graded will be on the portal under the description of the assignment.
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Mr. Baldwin (the awesome SMS librarian) will usually do some parties or activities for students who achieve their AR goals each 9 weeks. It's a lot of fun!
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Reading Grade,
AR,
and SMS Reading Policy
What is
AR?
Fun
Stuff
I LOVE to read!! So if your student needs help finding a book or if you have questions about a book, feel free to contact me anytime! Students are welcome to come and ask for help at the beginning of class.
Reading Grades
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SMS Reading Letter
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Classroom Book Policy 2016-2017
Reading is a central focus in our Language Arts classrooms. As we begin a new school year, we would like to share some thoughts about reading with you.
Reading is a learned skill. The only way to get better at reading is to read—this holds true for excellent readers, as well as reluctant readers. With this in mind, our goal for your son or daughter is that they will read two million words during this school year. For the average sixth grader, two million words a year translates to roughly 120 minutes of reading, five days a week (this includes in-school reading times). We will provide some class time for reading in the language arts rooms, and we will encourage your child to “steal” some reading time each day – when he or she is waiting for a new set of instructions, if he/she finishes an assignment early, while waiting in line, and so on. Your child should carry a personal reading book to each class of the day. You and your son/daughter will need to set aside time, outside of the school day, to read for approximately 20 minutes at least five days a week to reach the remainder of this goal.
To better help your child reach the two million word goal, we are working hard to develop our own classroom libraries. Research shows that the availability of books is a major motivating factor in getting teens to read. Students who are surrounded by books at school and at home read more. Students who read more, read better!
We want you to know that we are sensitive to having appropriate reading material in our classroom libraries. That said, what is considered “appropriate” may vary from one family to another. Some parents do not mind if their child reads Stephen King novels while others may object to the horror genre, for example.
Please be aware that the selections in our classroom libraries, just like any public library, cover a wide range of genres from elementary to the university-level. We ask that you remain aware of the books that your child has chosen to read. Visit with him/her periodically about what you believe to be appropriate reading material and assist him/her in gauging the book’s appropriateness for your family values.
Rest assured the books in our classroom libraries are not assigned. They are checked out on a voluntary basis. Some students use our classroom libraries a lot; others find books elsewhere. Our students will have access to the Stillwater Middle School Library, as well as other classroom teachers’ collections throughout the building. The city library also has an extensive young adult collection.
We encourage you to spend some time browsing the library with your child, check out the lists of award winning books, pick up a book, and join them in their reading time.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s language arts teacher by phone or email.
Happy Reading!
Stillwater Middle School Language Arts Department