Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School
2217 7th Street North, Columbus, MS 39705
Phone: (662) 241-7180 Fax: (662) 241-7182
Principal: Lois Kappler Asst. Principal: Kimberly Gardner and Henry Howard
webmaster: Wendy Hubbard
Accelerated Reader Policies
Cook Elementary School uses the Accelerated Reader Program as a guide for independent reading improvement as well as book selection.
What is the Accelerated Reader Program?
The Accelerated Reader Program is a computerized reading management program used by the classroom teacher to monitor reading comprehension and motivates students to read while increasing student reading ability. The Accelerated Reader process is an easy one.
Benefits of using this program include:
• Getting students excited about books. Accelerated Reader helps you focus attention on careful reading of books, which improves students’ critical-thinking skills and builds an intrinsic love of reading.
• Keeping each student challenged. Using AR, students are continuously guided to appropriate books. This means that every student can be challenged without being frustrated.
The Process
During the first two weeks of school, all students in grades 1-4 take the STAR test. Kindergarten participation in the program is determined by their classroom teacher with parent permission.
• This determines the zone of proximal development (ZPD) otherwise known as their reading range.
• This reading range is not correlated to grade level. It shows approximately the level at which the student is reading independently.
• This reading range allows a student to choose books within a comfort zone to practice fluency and comprehension.
After testing, each student is given a library folder that contains the following information:
• Color Certification Chart that shows the student’s reading range.
• Reading Log Calendars to tract goals and the books that have been read during each six weeks. It also shows the point goal for the six weeks.
• Point accumulation charts to show progress toward achieving point level club status.
After receiving the library folder, the student will begin participating in the Accelerated Reading Program by following the following steps:
• A student selects a book to read based on their Zone of Proximal Development.
• The student reads the book at his/her own pace.
• The student takes a computerized test on the book and points are awarded for correct answers. When students test, they take a computerized test featuring 5,10, or 20 multiple-choice comprehension questions. The program tells the student how many questions missed, and awards reading points. The program awards points based on the length and difficulty of the book.
• The student will record their score, the title of the book, and the amount of points awarded on the Reading Log Calendar.
• If the student scores a ninety or above on the test, he or she will color in a square on their Color Certification Chart.
• They then begin the process again.
• When the student colors in all the squares on the color certification chart, the student is allowed to move to the next reading level on the chart.
• Students take the STAR test again in December to show their progress in their reading ability. If their levels need to be adjusted due to the test results, they will be at that time.
Program Policies
• Students must bring their library folder with them to the library in order to check out a book. They will not be allowed to checkout a book if they do not bring their folder.
• Students in grades K-3 may checkout one book at a time. 4th grade students may checkout two books at a time.
• Students must read picture books and .5 books five times before they test on that book.
• Students will maintain their Reading Log Calendars and Color Certification Charts. These will be checked at random times when they come to the library.
• Students may take two AR tests a day.
• Each teacher will explain expectations for the AR program to his or her class.
• Each class is scheduled to come to the library two times a week for checkout and two open library checkout times are provided each day to allow students to easily checkout books.
• All books will be turned into the library on December 12 and May 1.
