Accelerated Reader 2024
What is AR?
The American Christian Academy library program serves to instill a love of reading, inspire life-long learning, and foster independent library use. The Accelerated Reader program was brought to ACA in an effort to foster an environment of learning through reading. Reading is an essential skill, and reading comprehension is vital throughout school and into adulthood.
In ACA's AR program, each grade is required to read books and then take an AR test in the school library. Fifteen classes in the elementary school visit the library once a week during a scheduled library time for a read-aloud lesson, to check out books, and take Accelerated Reading (AR) tests. Other elementary classes, as well as Middle School students, visit through the week at a convenient time to check out library books and take AR tests. Most times of the day, you will find an active and busy library at ACA. It is an inviting place where students are welcomed and loved!
In our partnership with parents, we encourage parents to be models for their children of adults who read. Spend some daily time reading God's Word and other books, be it fiction or nonfiction that interest you. Talk about the books you are reading as a family. This will build not only a love for reading but your relationship with your children.
Please use this resource to find the information you need for our AR program. Most answers can be found below. Please contact Daphne Sprayberry anytime you have a question about AR, books, or other library issues.
About AR Points & Double Points
BOOK LEVELS & POINTS
If you are interested in finding out how many AR points a book is worth, you may visit the website arbookfind.com.
BOOKS WITHOUT AR TESTS
When a book does not have an AR test, you must get approval from Mrs. Sprayberry before reading it to receive a written test when you complete the book. Depending on the amount of information written, the content, and the quality of the information, will depend on how many points are rewarded. Some written tests require an additional oral test.
DOUBLE POINT BOOKS
Beginning in the 6th grade, students may earn double the amount of points on AR tests for missionary books. These books are strictly about a missionary and the work they did for the Kingdom. This does not include books that are known as a “Christian book.” Some great series to choose from are The Christian Heroes series by Geoff and Janet Benge and the Trailblazer series. These seem to be a popular choice for the students. We have some available at the ACA Library, but not near as many as we would like. If you purchase a missionary book for your child to read, we would love to have it as a donation for the library when they are finished.
After completing an AR test on a missionary book, they should fill out the ‘Double Points Form’ located in the green basket by the computer in the library. These extra points must be manually added into the system. Without a form, then the points will not be added. Please keep in mind, not all missionary books are on the AR system and may require a written test.
Books of the Bible are also doubled. Almost all the books of the Bible are offered as AR tests on the AR program. Again, the student must fill out a form to be awarded these points. In order to look up the AR test for a book of the bible they should type in for example: Genesis NIV
Note: These double points can only be viewed on FACTS after being updated over the weekend.
How to Track Your Child's AR Progress
Use the Home Connect to view the books your child has tested on in the past at ACA. The website will allow you to keep up with how many AR points your child has earned. Click on the link and follow instructions found below:
RENAISSANCE LEARNING - HOME CONNECT WEBSITE
- Choose ‘I’m a Student’
- Renaissance ID: Renaissance ID — ACA-04WV
- Use your child's credentials in the blank boxes.
- Username: The first part of your child's school email address before the @ is the username. (ex. if the email is jane.doe@acacademy, the username is: jane.doe)
- Passwords: Almost always, with a few exceptions, this will be the students' first and last initials (ex. Jane Doe's password is: jd). If the students goes by a different name, the password may use that initial. Try both and if you are still having trouble, please email Mrs. Sprayberry for the correct password.
PARENT EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS FOR AR TESTS
To receive email updates that notify you of your child's AR test results, follow the instructions below.
- Log in to Home Connect, Click on– Get Email Updates.
- Follow the instructions. Be sure to verify your email address by answering the verification email in your inbox within 24 hours.
Please email Mrs. Sprayberry if you have any questions or trouble with Home Connect.
How to View Books Your Child Has Checked Out of the Library
Use ACA's Library Catalog to view books your child has checked out, books that are available in the library, and recommended reading.
- Once on ACA's Library Catalog, click on "my account" link.
- Enter the Login name/barcode which is their Student ID (also known as their Lunch ID).
- Leave the password box blank.
- Click "sign in".
Please email Mrs. Sprayberry if you have any questions regarding library books, AR points or tests, or the reading program at ACA in general.
Grades 1-5
AR grade is averaged into their Reading Grade each quarter grading period.
1st and 2nd Grade Students
Points do NOT roll over to the next quarter for these students.
1st grade – 3 points each Quarter
1st – 3 points (*In 1st grade, 1st quarter are practice points only)
2nd — 3 points
3rd — 3 points
4th — 3 points
Overall Goal –12 points
2nd grade – 8 points each Quarter
1st — 8 points
2nd — 8 points
3rd — 8 points
4th — 8 points
Overall Goal 32 points
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
Points DO roll over to the next quarter for these students
3rd grade – 15 points each term
1st — 15 points
2nd — 15 points
3rd — 15 points
4th — 20 points ( 5 extra points are required)
Overall Goal - 65 Points
4th grade – 23 points each term
1st — 23 points
2nd — 23 points
3rd — 23 points
4th — 23 points
Overall Goal - 92 points
5th grade – 30 points each term
1st — 30 points
2nd — 30 points
3rd — 30 points
4th— 30 points
Overall Goal — 120 points
The AR grade for students in Grades 6-8 is averaged each quarter into their English class as a test grade. Students are required to accumulate 30 points in each quarter in order to receive 100% as one test grade in their English Class. If the students stick to this goal of 30 points per each quarter, they will reach the goal of 120 AR points by the end of the year! All “extra” points do roll over from quarter to quarter. Points do not roll over from year to year. Students may begin reading and taking AR tests during the summer before the school year begins and those points will be rolled over into the school year.
Middle School AR Goals for the end of each term:
1st – 30 points
2nd – 30 points
3rd – 30 points
4th – 30 points
Overall Goal –120 points
