Carver Elementary

AR Rewards

AR rewards will be distributed when a student reaches the correct number of points at each level.

5 points = One chain

10 points = One Tag

20 points = One Tag

30 points = One Tag

40 points = One Tag

50 points  = One Tag and special prize

60 points = One Tag

70 points = One Tag

80 points = One Tag

90 points = One Tag

100 books = One Tag and a T-shirt (The process will continue as stated above for books earned over 100).

 First Grade and Second Grade - A student must reach the grade level assigned goal with an average of 80% or higher each nine weeks. 

 Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade - A student must reach the grade level assigned goal with an average of 85% or higher each nine weeks.

For a student to attend each nine week’s bear bucks celebration they must do the following for each grade level.

1.What is Reading Renaissance?

Reading Renaissance is a reading incentive program in which every child can participate, be challenged, and advance in reading ability.

2.What is the purpose of the program?

The more a child practices reading, the greater his/her reading skills will improve.  Reading Renaissance is designed to make every student a success based on his/her individual reading level.  Having this early success in reading will carry over into the rest of the student’s schoolwork and it will instill a child’s confidence to enjoy reading

3.How does Reading Renaissance work?

• Each Reading Renaissance book has been assigned a reading level and points based on the number of words, difficulty of text, and number of pages in the book. 
• Book selection is based on each student’s individual reading level and interest level.  The teacher uses the STAR test and professional judgment to assign a student a reading range.  Goals for each student are set for each grading period based on a chart and an individual conference. 
• Students are expected to supplement their in-class reading with reading at home each day.  Each student keeps a reading log that includes such information as the name of the book and how many pages are read each day.
• A student earns points by reading books and taking a computerized comprehension quiz on that book.  Quiz scores and points will be recorded in a reading log.
• As a student experiences success at a certain reading range (passing quizzes consistently with a 90% or better), he/she is challenged by reading different genre (biographies, other nonfiction, fiction chapter books, picture books), reading longer books at the same level, and then increasing his/her reading range.
• If a student has difficulty with the quizzes at a certain reading range, the teacher may decide to suggest shorter books at that same level or drop the reading range until the student begins to gain confidence and experience success at that level.

4.What do these points mean?

As students earn points, they are eligible for small rewards such as pencils, buttons, and ribbons.  A T-shirt is awarded to each K-2nd grade student who earns 100 points and to each 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student who earns 150 points.  Some teachers have class or hallway bulletin boards where individual progress is charted for the various point clubs.  All rewards and recognition are only awarded when the student not only earns the appropriate points, but also keeps his/her RR quiz average at 85% or above.

5.What are the students’ responsibilities?

Each student must:  bring his/her books to class each day, keep a neat, daily reading log, quiz after completing each book, and conference with the teacher about reading progress.  After reviewing a student’s log and conferencing with that student, a teacher may decide to move the reading range up or down (see last two bullets in #3 above).  After the conference, the student should select another book and begin the process again.

6.Rules to be followed during Reading Renaissance class time

• The only permissible activities during this time are:  read a Reading Renaissance book, take a quiz on a book, go to the media center to select more books, or conference with the teacher about completed books/quizzes.
• Do not work on other homework or material for another subject at this time.
• Get comfortable to read, but do not bother others and do not talk.
• Limit restroom time to before or after reading.
• Absent students must make up the reading time missed in class.

8.How can a parent become involved in the program at school?

Volunteer to help in the classroom or media center to assist students.  Volunteers are also needed to read to a class (Rocking Chair Readers) or to read with a student who is struggling.  Parents who assist with Reading Renaissance in the classroom may NOT assist their own child during school time.  Volunteers who help with the program may not give answers to students who are quizzing; they may only help a student read difficult words in the questions or answer choices.

9.How can a parent help their child with this program at home?

• Independent readers should read to someone at home.  Read to or with your child if he/she is just beginning to read.
• Limit television and video games.
• Schedule a time to read.
• Set an example by reading too!
• Help your child to fill out the reading log.
• Be aware of your child’s progress in school.
• Praise!  Praise!  Praise!

10.What is the role of the media specialist?

The media specialist is the Reading Renaissance coordinator.  She assists students in choosing appropriate books which match individual reading levels and interests.  She also conferences with students and teachers to assure each child’s success and improvement in the program.  The media specialist coordinates workshops for parent volunteers and she arranges special reading events. 

11.Additional Information

We use a color-coded dot (located on the spine of each RR book) system in order to identify the general level of each book. The specific level and point information for each book is located on a label inside the back cover.  A copy of the various dot color key is available upon request from the media center.   Students may only take quizzes at Carver during school hours.

Reading Renaissance Check Point and Book Levels

Check point and book levels for books you might have on your home shelf or another library.

Accelerated Reader Books

Key for Colored Dots

Accelerated Reader books are identified in the media center by a colored dot located on the book’s spine.  The table below shows the range of each color.  The specific reading level and points for each book are located inside the back cover of each book.

0.1 – 1.5    yellow                                              4.1 – 4.5    orange

1.6 – 2.0    green                                               4.6 – 5.0    light blue

2.1 – 2.5    dark blue                                         5.1 – 5.5    neon orange

2.6 – 3.0    red                                                    5.6 – 6.0    neon green

3.1 – 3.5    pink                                                  6.1 – 6.5    black

3.6 – 4.0    purple                                              6.6 – up     brown