Reading program has its first 'Star'

McCook, Nebraska, Elementary School third grader Addison Randel receives certificates from teacher Paula Davis (left) and librarian Linda Wood and a stuffed animal and a "Star Reader" T-shirt from Principal Tim Garcia as the first McCook Elementary student to reach 100-point and 150-point levels in the school's "Accelerated Reader" reading motivation program. Gathered around for Addison's presentation are her fellow third graders.

McCOOK, NEBRASKA -- Within the first 2 1/2 months of the 2011-2012 school year, a McCook, Nebraska, Elementary third grader has already reached the 150-point level in the school's "Accelerated Reader" reading motivation program.

Addison Randel, a student of Paula Davis and the daughter of Adrienne and Brad Randel of rural Indianola, achieved 100 points by Oct. 2 and 150 points by Oct. 15.

Addison is the first McCook Elementary student to earn these milestone awards this school year.

By Oct. 16 -- the day of awards presented to Addison -- students from kindergarten through fifth grade had read 4,223 books that totaled 17,232,869 words, according to McCook Elementary librarian Linda Wood, administrator of the school's Accelerated Reader (AR) program.

Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps motivate students to read by giving them and their teachers immediate, individualized feedback. Wood said, "The big idea here is that the more you practice, the better you get. Once students learn to read well, they are more apt to learn to love reading."

Wood said that research indicates that literature-based reading practice makes the difference between struggling and proficient readers. "A definite correlation exists between reading success and academic success in other areas also," she said.

AR allows students to choose what they want to read. They then take quizzes on the computer and earn points for correct answers. The points can be used for incentives that increase motivation, such as getting certificates and earning classroom prizes.

Point values for a book are determined by the reading level and length of the book.

"It's important that they read the whole book," Wood said, as the points are a quantitative measure of reading practice that lets the teacher if the student has read and understood the book that he/she chose. "The points are an integral part of goal-setting and monitoring of student progress," Wood said. "They provide the student and the teacher with immediate feedback about the student's reading performance. At McCook Elementary School, we use Accelerated Reader to create excitement about practicing a very difficult skill -- reading."

Wood promotes the Accelerated Reader program by suggesting reading material for students, and providing certificates and wards. With book fair proceeds, The PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) provides books to the classroom libraries as well as the school library, providing a wider choice of reading material.

Wood said the AR program is "truly a successful school-wide program, as our principal, Mr. Tim Garcia, our teachers, parents, students and staff are all on board to celebrate the success of reading by our students."