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AR-e You Reading on an iPad or iPod?

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At the start of this year I volunteered to be my school’s “Tech Innovator” which means I’m kind of a the voice between the district tech facilitator and my school. So far I haven’t had to do anything for it. But, I did get an iPad to use in my classroom- score!! Short of letting the kids take turns using it each day, I wanted to find a way to use our one iPad in a way that involved the whole class. Well, our school started doing the AR (Accelerated Reading) Program this year. I know this is a pretty popular program in schools across the country. If you haven’t heard of it, AR is a program where students log in to take comprehension tests after reading books at their independent reading level. AR also has a free ap! Now it won’t do you any good if you don’t already have a paid account through your school. But if you do, the kids will be able to access their AR account and take tests using an iPad or iPod. I have 3 computers in the room that I like to use for as a center during our Math and Literacy blocks. With the iPad, I don’t have to rely on those computers to give my kids access to their AR account.

My class is used to my cheesy puns. They were pretty amused with this one and got it right away 🙂

I printed and laminated this little cover then taped it to the front of the iPad case. I keep it on the ledge of the white board at the front of the room as a reminder to my kiddos that whenever they have any “extra” time they should be reading their AR books. My class is highly motivated by the AR program. They love taking the tests and watching their points go up with each passed test. To the right of the iPad are the little login cards I made up with every child’s login and password. Just like on the computer they need to know both to access their account on the homepage below. The kids grab the cards and find their name when they want to test. They really don’t require my assistance at all and know they can grab and test anytime the iPad is at the front of the room.

To the left is one of my guy’s taking an AR quiz today during our literacy stations.Once they are logged in they can easily search for the books they read by typing the title of the book into the search bar. We also have four iPods in the classroom and when they aren’t being using for a center the kids can grab and test on those too!!

If you use Accerlearted Reader and have access to iPads or iPods then you should definitely check out the ap!

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Stephanie Stewart

Hi, I' Stephanie! I’m always looking for new ways to put a creative twist on the standards and I love helping primary teachers do the same in their classroom. Think of me as your virtual teaching partner right down the hall. I can’t wait to share new lesson ideas, teaching tips, and engaging K-2 resources with you!

6 Responses

Vanessa says:

April 10, 2013 at 1:23 am

How motivating!
BTW- I LOVE your blog design! It is so cute!

I am having a mid-year classroom photos linky party, I hope you can join me!

Vanessa
Kindergarten Schmindergarten
Mandy says:

April 13, 2013 at 12:13 pm

Thanks for sharing! I am an AR goo-roo! We LOVE LOVE AR in our classroom! My iPad (which was also given to me in the same way yours was) has been so motivating for the students where AR is concerned. As long as I'm not standing up teaching, they know they are welcome to AR tests on the IPad.
ENJOY your iPad!
Mandy
First Grade
mkwunderl says:

April 15, 2013 at 3:57 am

Thanks for sharing! Since I introduced the AR app to my students last week, they have read so many books and taken so many AR tests.

Molly

psychedtobeinsecond.blogspot.com
forkin4th says:

April 21, 2013 at 6:33 am

I love the way you organize your A.R. system – Super CUTE! Wow your lil guys are lucky to have an iPad to use at school. If you have a chance, you should stop by my blog & enter my giveaway – I'm sure you'll love the K-3 bundle!
🙂
Antonia @ forkin4th
docofsoc1 says:

April 23, 2013 at 6:53 pm

I loved seeing the child reading so intently under the desk — it clearly looks like this is a motivational strategy! I'm an older Mom/parent to a kindergarten child and was admittedly slow coming around to reading/technology realities, sticking to traditional print books. But as my book loving child started experiencing reading challenges (great comprehension and motivation, but struggling with reading itself), I started broadening my mind to the array of reading tools to try. I do parent blogging for one e-book site now, Bookboard, and have had a lot of faith in this app for iPads since my daughter had her first big "I did it!" reading moment using this approach. I wrote about her experience here if you are interested, or want to take a look at this firm's approach. http://bookboard.com/blog/2013/03/reading-for-the-first-time/ Love your site!
Anonymous says:

October 25, 2013 at 7:35 am

Thanks for shearing this blog about Ipad Standing Case. It is very nice and helpful.

Welcome

Hi, I’ Stephanie! I’m always looking for new ways to put a creative twist on the standards and I love helping primary teachers do the same in their classroom. Think of me as your virtual teaching partner right down the hall. I can’t wait to share new lesson ideas, teaching tips, and engaging K-2 resources with you!