AR & STEMS
What are stems?
- Stems are the building blocks of words. They are small units of meaning that when joined with other stems can create new words. Stems can be the prefixes, suffixes or roots of words.
- EXAMPLE: (Intro=into, duct=lead/bring, tion=act or state) Introduction literally means the act of leading someone into something.
- It is important to know that when some stems attach to others their forms can change to make the word read more smoothly. For example, the stem ex, which means out, can take the several forms (e, ef, ec) even though its meaning does not change. (exit, eclectic, essay, efface)
Why learn stems?
- Learning vocabulary by learning stems allows you to access the meaning of the hundreds of words that stem is a part of. Thus, you have a tool for deciphering new words wherever you encounter them.
- Having the skill to decipher unfamiliar words is valuable when reading challenging material or when taking tests such as the ACT, SAT, and other college entrance exams.
- Since many English words come from other languages, learning stems will also help you learn foreign languages such as Spanish, French, and German.
How do I learn the stems?
- The best way to learn the stems is by repetitive practice and use. Make flash cards that you can review while going somewhere, standing in line, or during TV commercials. Using flash cards is more effective than studying from the lists because they allow you to mix up the order and you don’t learn them in relation to their order on the list.
- You should learn the stems thoroughly as soon as you get each new list. Then review all your stems at least once a day to keep your knowledge fresh and work the stems into your long-term memory.
- Complete all stems assignments since the more you work with the stems the easier it is to remember them.
- Before the test make yourself a practice test including the new stems and past stems. Take the test and see where you still need to practice.
- Remember your goal is to learn the stems, not just memorize them for one test. Since you will have to remember past lists on each test, brief daily practice will help you more than cramming for hours the day before the test.
1st Quarter- October 16, 2019
2nd Quarter- December 18, 2019
3rd Quarter- March 11, 2020
4th Quarter- May 22, 2020
Sept. 18, 2019
Oct. 16, 2019
Nov. 13, 2019
Dec. 18, 2019
Feb. 5, 2020
Mar. 11, 2020
April 15, 2020
May 27, 2020
QUARTERLY INDEPENDENT READING GRADE
The Independent Reading Grade is part of a student's overall English grade. Fifty percent of the Independent Reading grade is based on the points earned for individual student goals, and fifty percent is based on a percentage of overall comprehension. To earn full credit (100%) in Independent Reading, a student must earn the full points each quarter for his or her goal, and earn 100% comprehension on all A.R. quizzes.
For example:
Your quarterly point goal was 20. You earned 18 points. You met 90% of your point goal.
Your comprehension score is an overall 80% average.
Your AR grade for the quarter will be an 85%= B
Select and read books from the accelerated reader list (check ARBookfind.com online), then take the matching quizzes. You must select books within your Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) provided by the STAR reading assessment. The Reading Record will be collected for the final grade on the due date each quarter. Students may take their last test the day before the due date and turn in the completed record on the due date.
You can complete this assignment at your own speed, but you must have taken all the AR quizzes by the due date at the end of the Quarter. Be aware, AR points are awarded according to the number of questions answered correctly on the quiz. The points listed on the AR list are the maximum points possible. Students who miss too many questions on a quiz may not earn any points for that book.
ACCELERATED READER RULES
- Students may only take tests on books within their ZPD. A.R. is to improve a student's reading comprehension while also helping a student gradually increase their reading level. In order for that to happen, a student must read in their ZPD.
- Students must submit a completed Independent Reading Record, with parent signatures, for the A.R. grades and percentages to be counted.
- Students may take quizzes during homeroom, after school, and during independent work time during class.
ACCELERATED READER TIPS
- Start reading your books and taking quizzes early in the quarter so that the stress of meeting the deadline doesn't give you test anxiety, and you will have time to make up missed points. You also won't have the distractions of long lines and a noisy classroom while you take your quiz if you test earlier in the quarter.
- Read and pass at least one book. Even earning an “F” in A.R. is better than a “0.” A “0” can really hurt your overall grade.
- Choose books that interest you so that you retain the information more easily.
- Make sure the book isn't too difficult.
- Choose shorter books so that there is less to remember over time. You'll have to read more of them, but you'll be more successful at taking the tests. If you do poorly on a shorter book, you haven't wasted a lot of time. Remember your percentage on a quiz is important. The overall percentage is half of your A.R. grade.
- Read the book within two weeks so that the information at the beginning of the book is still fresh.
- Avoid rushing through a book.
- If you have trouble remembering things, take notes about the characters and of what happens in each chapter, and review them before you come in to take your quiz. You may NOT use your notes or book during the quiz.
- *If you earn MORE than your point goal in the quarter, the points DO NOT carry over to the next quarter.
- *FIND OUT IF A BOOK HAS AN AR TEST FIRST BEFORE READING IT. GO TO ARBOOKFIND.COM
