Vandenberg Elementary has uses the Accelerated Reader program to support and supplement our reading curriculum. Students make the best gains when they have the opportunity to read books which challenge them without causing frustration.

Students have an opportunity to reach three different Star Reading Levels, depending on the number of points they earn.  Star Readers, Gold Star Readers, and Champion Star Readers all enjoy different benefits. 

Star Readers are celebrated on the Star Reading Wall in the Media Center and are announced on the school announcements. 

Gold Star Readers attend monthly AR parties and enjoy the above benefits

Champion Star Readers attend not only the monthly parties, but also attend the grand party at the end of the year. 

If you have any questions about Accelerated Reader at Vandenberg, contact Martha Jocis at:

535-4000 Ext 1886

jocima01@southredford.net

The links to various Accelerated Reader listings are on the left side of this page. Simply point and click to find title, author, or book level listings. 

These lists were last updated 2/1/2006

Book levels do not refer to grade levels of students, but rather their reading level.  Different children in the same grade may test on different reading levels, depending on their interests and abilities.

Books at an instructional reading level are books which are not too easy or too hard for students. Only reading books which are too easy will prevent a reader from growing to his full potential. Reading material that is too difficult will frustrate the child, make comprehension decrease and adversely affect motivation to read. Research has shown that a majority of reading time should be at the instructional level for children to grow as readers.
Remember, reading levels are approximate. A child's interest in a topic, prior knowledge about the subject and other factors can influence a child's ability to read and comprehend a particular book.

A student selects and reads a book from the AR book list that is at his own reading level. Next, the student takes an Accelerated Reader Practice Quiz at school to determine whether or not he understood what he read. Finally, the computer gives the student immediate feedback, adds the quiz results to the student's reading record and generates a report for the student and teacher. Students earn points based on the book's length and the number of questions answered correctly.

Vandenberg Elementary currently has Accelerated Reader quizzes for over 2100 books.  For the convenience of our students and their families, all Accelerated Reader Quizzes available at Vandenberg Elementary are listed on this site by Title, Author, or Reading Level. Many of these books are also available at the public library.

Three types of reading material need to be shared with children while they are learning how to read: 

• Familiar, easy reading material - Children need reading material that is familiar or that may be below their instructional reading level in order to practice fluency and expression and to build confidence.
  
• Instructional level reading material - These books offer some challenge but not to the point of frustration. Children should read at this level in order to practice decoding and comprehension skills and grow as readers.
  
• Read-aloud material - These books are too difficult for a child to read independently but are read to the child by others. Listening to these stories fosters a love of literature and exposes the child to rich book language, new vocabulary and concepts.

For more information, check out the Accelerated Reader Home Page at:

http://www.renlearn.com/ar/