First graders start A.R. around December. We start with an online test called STAR to determine their independent reading level. They are given a color to stick with (blue is for 0-1.9 level books, red is for 2.0-2.9 level books, etc.) Students will read a book at least two times and take a comprehension test on it. Tests are taken at school during school hours. Students will be given a goal each month to read and pass (usually 3 or 4). After everyone in the class has read and passed the goal for the month, there will be a class party. What kind of class party is voted on by my class (for example, tape the teacher to the wall, slushies, ice cream, pizza, popcorn and movie, etc.) Passing a test means scoring an 80% or higher. Students will have an opportunity to take the book home and read it. They will be given time at school to read it. Students are encouraged to read in their free time as well. They can borrow books from the school library or class library. Parents can look up books from the public library or from home on a website called ARbookfind.com. Students are assessed three times a year. Students have the opportunity to move up to higher levels by improving on the STAR Test and AR Tests. The goal is to have students reading at or above grade level (1.1 means first grade first month).