Creating World Class Readers

1. Creating World Class Readers Deann Stone Alabama State Department of Education

2. Introduction • The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the need for students to read and how Accelerated Reader and Reading Renaissance can aid you in the process of creating world class readers.

3. What is Reading Renaissance? • In short it is a way of teaching to improve reading. • Accelerated Reader is only one component of Reading Renaissance.

4. How does Reading Renaissance Benefit Children? • Let’s students read books that interest them • Students are assessed immediately • Students read books on their own level • Improves reading ability • Students are motivated to read • Other curriculum areas improve • Students become self directed learners

5. How does Reading Renaissance Benefit Teachers? • Reduces paperwork • Improves management of students reading assessment • Teachers become more enthusiastic about teaching reading • Teachers have a better understanding of their students reading levels • Teachers are able to remediate and enrich students using the same program • Teachers become professional diagnosticians

6. Components of Reading Renaissance • TWI – Reading Practice time • AR – Accelerated Reader Program • RMS – Reading Motivation System • MIMI – Motivate, Instruct, Monitor, and Intervene

7. Let’s look at reading in your situation! • How much are your students reading? • Are most reading above, below or at grade level? • What are the two most important areas that you would like to improve in the area of reading?

8. Why are students having reading difficulty? • What do you think causes the problem? • Statistics • Good readers versus poor readers

9. What is TWI • T = Reading TO students • W = Reading WITH students • I = Students reading INDEPENDENTLY • These three components aid students in their journey to become successful readers

10. What is Accelerated Reader? • Accelerated Reader is a computerized reading management program that motivates students to read while increasing student reading ability. • Accelerated Reader is a product of Advantage Learning Systems • It is part of the Reading Renaissance Program

11. How AR fits into the Program • Frees the teacher to teach a. Teacher guides b. Students read books c. Students take tests d. Results are immediate e. AR manages records The cycle starts again

12. What is the teacher’s role in the process • MIMI • Motivation – Encourages students to read books of their choosing/Maintains a RMS – Reading Motivation System • Instruction – Guides students in the reading process • Monitors – Reports • Intervenes – Enriches and Remediates

13. How does the teacher find time to do this? • Mini lessons • Using the AR program in conjunction with the reading program • Before school reading option • D.E.A.R Time

14. Testimonial • Real Life Situation • Not buying into the HIPE • Trying it out for myself • Working with the components • Results

15. What This Means • How can you become involved in the Reading Renaissance process • Funding opportunities

16. Next Steps • How will your school implement AR?

17. THAT’S ALL FOLKS THE END OR THE BEGINNING?