AR READING PROGRAM GARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts classes will adhere to
the following rules concerning AR reading and points:
1. A student will take a Star test in the Renaissance Reading program to
determine his/her reading level. A Star test will be given 3 times a year,
including the initial test at the beginning of the school year and 2 subsequent
tests in the middle and at the end of the year to determine reading progress
and to adjust the students reading level accordingly.
2. A student will choose books on the appropriate level from the middle school
library or the teachers classroom library. Students will not be allowed to read
books from the high school section of the library due to possible content that
is inappropriate or inconsistent with the students grade level and maturity.
Students will not be allowed to read books from home for a grade.
3. A student will be required to take AR tests and accumulate a total number of
points in the following grades:
6th grade 10 points each six weeks
7th grade 10 points each six weeks
8th grade 14 points each six weeks
4. A student will take only 1 AR test per day.
5. A student must have the book he/she read when taking the AR test for that
book.
6. A student will not be allowed to take an AR test on a book that he/she has
read in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade as a class project unless approved by the
teacher.
7. A deadline for reading each book will be posted in the classroom and on the
teachers website so the student is aware. Book tests may NOT be taken
on that deadline date.
8. One major test grade for the student will be determined by the total number
of points earned during the six weeks. For example, in 6 th grade if a student
reads 9 points total of the 10 points required, he will earn a grade of 90 for
that test grade.
9. In the 6th grade reading classes, the student must write a plot mountain and
fill out an AR sheet over the book. In the 7 th grade reading classes, the
student will write a plot mountain the first semester and then a summary the
second semester. In the 8th grade reading classes, a student must write a 1page character sketch of the main character in his/her book before taking an
AR test.
10.
At the three-week mark of each six weeks, one AR test (TOPS report)
and the appropriate paperwork will be due, and then another test and
paperwork will due at the end of the six weeks. The student will read during
the six weeks for the total number of points for his grade level, so the student
may have several books from which to choose the TOPS report and
paperwork for grades. So the student will have 5 grades per six weeks for AR:
two TOPS reports (which are test grades), two forms of paperwork (which are

daily grades), and a test grade for the total number of points earned.
Therefore, the student will actively read during the six weeks for 5 grades but
will also qualify for field trips at the end of each semester.
11.
A student will be rewarded with an AR field trip each fall and spring
semester if he/she has attained the following total points:
6th grade: 50 points in the fall and 75 in the spring
7th grade: 60 points in the fall and 80 in the spring
8th grade: 75 points in the fall and 100 in the spring
Please sign one copy and return to school with your child, and please post the
other copy as a quick reference for AR.

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SIGNATURE