Ask:
Sorry to vent about my dd school again...but this school drives me bonkers...I just don't get it.
My 4th grader has been told her AR level is between 5.6 - 6.6. Yet, she is not allowed to choose books any higher than the 4th grade shelf ( levels 4._ ). The reason is (and I quote her teacher here....) "because once she gets to 6th grade she won't have any books to read".
Now my understanding about the AR program is to identify levels kids are currently reading at so that they can continue to challenge and improve reading skills. I may be misunderstanding it all together. What good is it to test the kids, identify levels, and then tell them they are not allowed to read those books?
eeerrrrrgghhhhhh
Answer:
That is nuts!!! My kids get to take out books at their levels not their grades!! That is the purpose of the testing. Avery is in 3rd grades, but they help him choose 6th grade level books and Merrick gets to choose from the 4th grade level (he is in second grade). That is totally dumb!! Don't they have books at a higher level at that school? Can she get some at the public library (ours labels for AR level and the kids can test on them)? I would be irritated too!!!
Answer:
Ok, that is very silly. If she is at 6th grade now, wouldn't it be safe to assume she would be at 8th grade or higher in 2 years? I guess eventually she would run out of books to read, but not before she started middle school or high school possibly.
Give me a break. That is silly and a LAME argument.
Answer:
My children's elem did AR and they ALWAYS got to read books above their grade level. They both always tested really high, and they actually HAD to read the higher level books. That teacher must not understand how AR works. They won't run out of books unless your school is only paying for a few and not many.
Answer:
I'd tell her where to shove those books, but that's just me.lol
Answer:
The teacher is mistaken. Perhaps she just doesn't understand it.... if she is still adamant about your dd not reading about that level, you need to approach a higher authority (the principal!) That is crazy!! The only thing to be concerned about is that the content of certain books aren't too mature. Some have sexual overtones/relationship stuff, drug issues or mature themes you wouldn't want her reading yet. That's the problem with our son.
Answer:
I'd speak to her about it.... YOU'RE not misunderstanding anything! does she understand AR? If she is reading at a sixth grade level and has completed all books (we have seperate books mandatory for AR) then she moves up a reading level. Kels is on 3rd grade level, She has read all the first grade AR books, and is almost done with the level 2books. In the media center, she may take out any book up to and including anything at the 3.5 level b/c that is where she tests at.
Answer:
Thanks everyone for your take on the AR program. Thank goodness I'm not whacked! whew!
I will need to get on the horn with the school, teacher, principal whomever.... It just doesn't make sense to me ~ though a lot about this school doesn't.
Man - new students...moved from the city...I am sure this small town school HATES us already :D
Answer:
I always thought the same thing too. this year dd#2 has a new teacher and she doesn't like the AR program. she said it justs tests to see if they rememeber things from the book not necessarily comprehension. one question dd got wrong was the color of the house. which was nothing she read. it was from looking at the picture that she should have remembered it. I would talk to librabrian first, assuming they have one separete from teacher.
I could never get our librarian to asnwer my questions, so I went outside of the school for help. we know our local childrens librarian and she is our go to person. we go about once a week. I don't worry about the school AR program anymore. the girls are reading above where they should be. I just look at it as a fun reward program for them.
allgirls