AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice.  Students pick books at their own level and read at their own pace.  When finished, students take a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that the child understood what was read.)  AR gives both children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help students set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

Children using AR choose their own books to read.  This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.  Teachers and the library clerk help your child to choose books at an appropriate reading level that are challenging without being frustrating, ensuring that your child can pass the quiz and experience success.

If your child does not do well on the quiz, the teacher may help him:

    *Choose another book that is more appropriate.
    *Ask more probing questions as your child reads and before he takes a quiz.
    *Pair your child with another student, or even have the book read to your child.

I most cases, children really enjoy taking the quizzes.  Since they’re reading books at their reading and interest level, they are likely to be more successful.  This is satisfying for most children.  Best of all, they learn and grow at their own pace.

Reed Elementary is an AR Enterprise school, which gives us access to over 105,000 quizzes.  Students can quiz on books read at school, at home, or from the public library.

Searching for books that have Accelerated Reader quizzes is easier than ever with AR BookFinder, the web-based book searching tool from Renaissance Learning.  With this free online tool, students, parents, teachers, and librarians can search for interesting and appropriate books quickly and easily—and open up a whole new world of reading possiblities.

With AR BookFinder, you can:
Search for books that have a corresponding Accelerated Reader quiz.  Search by reading level, interest level, title, author, subject, and more from any web-enabled computer.

See book details including book summary information, ATOS level, word count, page count, cover photos, ISBN, and more.

Refine your search based on interest level, fiction/nonfiction, English/Spanish, or topic.

Search for collections featuring award-winning titles including ALA Notables and Best Books, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Newberry; State Lists for all 50 states; and Librarians’ Picks for the past 10 years and sorted by interest levels.

Print your book list. Simply select the titles that interest you, place them in your AR BookBag, and print a list of titles you can take to the bookstore or library.

Quick Search
1. Go to http://www.arbookfind.com
2. From the Quick Search tab on the top of the page, type a book title, author, or topic into the blank field and click Go.
3. To narrow the results, select any of the options on the left of the screen under Refine Your Search. You can continue to refine your search until you get your desired results.
4. If you want to create a book list from the titles you are searching, click Add to AR BookBag button below the cover of any book you want to add to your list.