Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader
All, I do not use Accelerated Reader. I have reading incentive programs for our religious school kids in grades 1-6. Some of these children use Accelerated Reader in their public or day schools and want to take out books from our library for which they can get credit at school. After several students expressed the wish to know this information, I decided to identify AR books for them--as a service to them and as an incentive to have them read these Jewish books. They are excited to know that I will do this. I'm interested to see that others of you agree with me about the level assignments AR uses, and I will not put a label on some of the books like Freefall that say it's for 3rd graders. That's just absurd and I'm surprised that the whatever formula is used to assign levels to such books hasn't been improved. One would think that AR would have heard from teachers, after all the years it's been in use. I will report back on how this works out, and whether I decide to abandon the whole idea! Andrea From: suzi48dubin suzi48du...@gmail.com To: Norm Janoff cjan...@cox.net; Andrea Rapp anrapp2...@yahoo.com; Hasafran hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 11:38 PM Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader ..And that is why I refuse to use AR. Their decisions on what grade level is appropriate is just WRONG. Suzie Dubin T-Mobile. America's First Nationwide 4G Network. -- Original message -- From: Norm Janoff Date: 1/15/2014 4:33 PM To: Andrea Rapp;Hasafran; Subject:Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader When I worked in the public library we had this problem all the time. Accelerated Reader doesn't seem to take into account the maturlity level of the topic or theme, but only the word and syllable counts, vocabulary, etc. It's very frustrating. Carol Janoff Temple Chai Phoenix, AZ Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 12:32:40 -0800 From: anrapp2...@yahoo.com To: hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Subject: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader I'm putting the labels on the books, looking up the assigned reading levels that AR gives each book. Freefall, by Anna Levine, grade level 3.9? Ridiculous. I'd give it to kids in 6th or 7th grade at minimum. On the other hand, The Peddler's Gift/Shnook the Peddler is 5th grade level. I am really surprised at the level assignments to so many titles. Andrea Rapp __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader
I've spoken with librarians at a couple of schools which use the program. Teachers give students an AR reading level range, based on the child's standardized test scores, from which to select books for AR testing and credit. AR does also indicates the interest level of the book, which may be quite different from the reading level it assigns. My understanding is that teachers look at the reading level, not the interest level, when determining the range that students have to adhere to. If so, this would be quite problematic. Andrea From: kpeter3...@aol.com kpeter3...@aol.com To: anrapp2...@yahoo.com; suzi48du...@gmail.com; cjan...@cox.net; hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 10:48 AM Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader To all, I'm following this discussion with interest as I also use A.R. in my synagogue's library as a means of trying to improve circulation in our children's library. But I think there's a misconception here. A.R. does not assign books a grade level, but a reading level. With something like 3.9, the 3 indicates the grade, and the .9 indicates which month of the semester they should be at this level (each 1/10 is a month's worth of progress). So, assuming school starts in September and goes through May, September would be 3.0 and May would be 3.9. So, for example, assigning the book Freefall a 3.9 reading level just indicates that the vocabulary, etc. is such that a 3rd grader at the end of the school year should be able to read the words. In general, I think A.R. books are leveled too low. I've rarely found anything about a 6th grade reading level. Even textbook type materials are generally a 7.0. For example, just for fun I looked up Huckleberry Finn which is leveled at 5.4, which based on vocabulary alone seems pretty ridiculous to me. Content has nothing to do with how they assign reading levels, which of course is one of the weaknesses of the program. Freefall is of course inappropriate for a 3rd grader. And many of our kids read much higher than their grade level, so finding books at their appropriate reading level but that are content appropriate for their age is a whole 'nother enchilada. However, the website that I use to find a book's A.R. level (www.arbookfind.com) DOES include who the target audience is for a given book, using the codes LG (lower grades), MG (middle grades), UG (upper grades). Freefall is assigned a MG+. So I'm assuming this would indicate middle school and up, which seems appropriate. There are certainly many disadvantages to the A.R. program. But it can be a tool in the toolbox. For my own library, and since only the elementary schools in our school district use the A.R. program, I only put A.R. stickers on books that are appropriate for elementary aged readers. I don't put A.R. stickers on books designed for older kids (like Freefall). For one thing it seems demeaning for a 7th grader to check out a book that technically is at a third grade reading level. The biggest way the A.R. program has helped me in my job is as a tool to help me select reading level appropriate books for the Religious School classes. They have independent reading time and also book buddies. So if the 2nd grade teacher tells me at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning that they want to have free reading at 9:30 a.m. I can pull a bunch of 2nd and 3rd grade reading level books in about 5 minutes and not have to look through each book wondering if a second grader could read it. Getting the teachers to give me any kind of lead time pulling stuff for them is a whole other conversation! :-) The other way I use A.R. is as projects for the madrichim (post B'nai Mitzvah teachers' aides). They look up the book and put the stickers on. And it's a bit subversive. If they're working on putting A.R. stickers on the books, half the time they stop to read them. :-) Judy Petersen Library Director Congregation Har Shalom Fort Collins, CO -Original Message- From: Andrea Rapp anrapp2...@yahoo.com To: suzi48dubin suzi48du...@gmail.com; Norm Janoff cjan...@cox.net; Hasafran hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Sent: Thu, Jan 16, 2014 8:11 am Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader All, I do not use Accelerated Reader. I have reading incentive programs for our religious school kids in grades 1-6. Some of these children use Accelerated Reader in their public or day schools and want to take out books from our library for which they can get credit at school. After several students expressed the wish to know this information, I decided to identify AR books for them--as a service to them and as an incentive to have them read these Jewish books. They are excited to know that I will do this. I'm interested to see that others of you
[ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader
I'm putting the labels on the books, looking up the assigned reading levels that AR gives each book. Freefall, by Anna Levine, grade level 3.9? Ridiculous. I'd give it to kids in 6th or 7th grade at minimum. On the other hand, The Peddler's Gift/Shnook the Peddler is 5th grade level. I am really surprised at the level assignments to so many titles. Andrea Rapp__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader
When I worked in the public library we had this problem all the time. Accelerated Reader doesn't seem to take into account the maturlity level of the topic or theme, but only the word and syllable counts, vocabulary, etc. It's very frustrating.Carol JanoffTemple ChaiPhoenix, AZ Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 12:32:40 -0800 From: anrapp2...@yahoo.com To: hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Subject: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader I'm putting the labels on the books, looking up the assigned reading levels that AR gives each book. Freefall, by Anna Levine, grade level 3.9? Ridiculous. I'd give it to kids in 6th or 7th grade at minimum. On the other hand, The Peddler's Gift/Shnook the Peddler is 5th grade level. I am really surprised at the level assignments to so many titles. Andrea Rapp __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader
..And that is why I refuse to use AR. Their decisions on what grade level is appropriate is just WRONG.Suzie DubinT-Mobile. America's First Nationwide 4G Network.-- Original message --From:Norm Janoff <cjan...@cox.net>Date:1/15/2014 4:33 PMTo:Andrea Rapp;Hasafran;Subject:Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader When I worked in the public library we had this problem all the time. Accelerated Reader doesn't seem to take into account the maturlity level of the topic or theme, but only the word and syllable counts, vocabulary, etc. It's very frustrating.Carol JanoffTemple ChaiPhoenix, AZDate: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 12:32:40 -0800From: anrapp2...@yahoo.comTo: hasaf...@lists.osu.eduSubject: [ha-Safran] Accelerated ReaderI'm putting the labels on the books, looking up the assigned reading levels that AR gives each book. Freefall, by Anna Levine, grade level 3.9? Ridiculous. I'd give it to kids in 6th or 7th grade at minimum. On the other hand, The Peddler's Gift/Shnook the Peddler is 5th grade level.I am really surprised at the level assignments to so many titles. Andrea Rapp__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader
Me, too, Aileen. I couldn't agree with you more.SuziT-Mobile. America's First Nationwide 4G Network.-- Original message --From:Aileen Grossberg <aido...@aol.com>Date:1/15/2014 5:42 PMTo:cjan...@cox.net;anrapp2...@yahoo.com;hasaf...@lists.osu.edu;Subject:Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader Fortunately I never had to deal with Accelerated Reader. However, in the public school where I worked, there were some teachers and administrators who wanted to level the collection. Fortunately, we librarians were able to talk them out of that. As both a public and school librarian, I always tried to resist specific level labels on books. Labels take away that serendipitous discovery of a book that would never be found if the child were restricted just to books on his/her level. Personally, I feel that this leveling and categorizing movement leads to mediocrity. We are paid for our judgement and experience with literature among other things. These canned programs take that away. Sorry for the soapbox. It's an issue I am passionate about. Aileen Grossberg Lampert Library Congregation Shomrei Emunah Montclair, NJ -Original Message- From: Norm Janoff cjan...@cox.net To: Andrea Rapp anrapp2...@yahoo.com; Hasafran hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Sent: Wed, Jan 15, 2014 6:44 pm Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader When I worked in the public library we had this problem all the time. Accelerated Reader doesn't seem to take into account the maturlity level of the topic or theme, but only the word and syllable counts, vocabulary, etc. It's very frustrating. Carol Janoff Temple Chai Phoenix, AZ Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 12:32:40 -0800 From:anrapp2...@yahoo.com To:hasaf...@lists.osu.edu Subject: [ha-Safran] Accelerated Reader I'm putting the labels on the books, looking up the assigned reading levels that AR gives each book. Freefall, by Anna Levine, grade level 3.9? Ridiculous. I'd give it to kids in 6th or 7th grade at minimum. On the other hand, The Peddler's Gift/Shnook the Peddler is 5th grade level. I am really surprised at the level assignments to so many titles. Andrea Rapp __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to:Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here:https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to:galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current:http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver:http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePagehttp://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing listHasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to:galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePagehttp://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
