Help Page for Reading Programs and Teacher Support Materials
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a reading incentive program and curriculum-based computer assessment tool produced by Renaissance Learning. This program is designed to motivate students to read on their own while providing teachers with a summary and analysis of the results. First, a student chooses a designated AR book based on reading level. Once the book has been read, the student takes a computerized comprehension quiz. Points are then awarded to the student based upon the number of correct answers and the point value of the book, and the teacher can review the assessment results. The teacher can set point-level goals for rewarding students with prizes or use other motivational technique. The software also provides several automatic record keeping options, while the program includes optional booster kits (such as stickers, posters, and backpacks) for student rewards.
Perma-Bound offers a wide range of AR titles and computer quizzes, which are designated by green text within search results, lists, and title detail pages.
EXAMPLE: AR: rl:5.4 / pts:2.0 / quiz:16637 - rl refers to a reading level of 5.4 (fifth grade, fourth month), the quiz is worth two points, and the quiz number is displayed for ordering purposes.
Selecting AR Titles and Quizzes
Any search results or list page that includes AR titles and quizzes will display a selectable box in the AR Quiz area on the left-hand side of the search results. A checkmark inside this box designates quiz selection.
- To add or remove an AR Quiz:
- Click on the box within the AR Quiz Column so the checkmark appears or disappears. checkmark indicates selection.
- Click on the blue “Update” button.
- To rapidly select or deselect multiple AR Quizzes:
Click on the "Select Quizzes" drop-down menu and choose from among
the four options:
- Select all quizzes - for the entire list/search results
- Select all quizzes on this page - current page only
- Deselect all quizzes - for the entire list/search results
- Deselect all quizzes on this page - current page only
AR Search
This search tool allows you to quickly search for products associated with the Accelerated Reader program. You can reach the Accelerated Reader Search page from your "My Account" page or the Quick Search drop-down menu, if you are logged in to our website. This page has three basic options, each of which can be selected by clicking on the respective button to display search criteria. Once search criteria has been entered and selected, press "Submit" to initiate your search. To clear all fields and begin again, press "Reset."
- AR Books/Quizzes Only. Select from Title,
Author, Quiz #, AR Level, and AR Points. You can use them
individually or in combination by entering search criteria in the
respective boxes.
NOTE: you must enter numerical ranges for both “From” and “To” within the AR Level and AR Points boxes.
- AR Book Sets/ Standard Title Sets (software) Only. Search for sets instead of individual titles by entering search words within the Title: box. You can also search for quiz titles included with an individual AR disks by entering a valid number in the Disk # box.
- Other AR Items (kits, premiums, etc). Search for other AR booster items, such as pencils, stickers, posters, t-shirts, backpacks, etc., by entering valid criteria in the "Title:" box.
NOTE: You can also search for AR titles through use of the Advanced Search tool by selecting AR Reading Level and AR Points Range, or by selecting from Accelerated Reader options in the Product Type drop-down box.
Reading Counts!
Reading Counts! is a motivational reading program produced by Scholastic Books that includes a wide variety of books and reading levels. After reading one of these books, a student takes a computer-based quiz to assess their comprehension. When the student passes the quiz, he or she is awarded points based on the difficulty of the text.
Perma-Bound supports the Reading Counts! program by offering an array of titles and sets. These products are designated by blue text within search results, lists, and title detail pages.
EXAMPLE: RC: rl: 2.1/ pts: 2.0 - rl refers to reading level (second grade, first month), and the title is worth two points.
Searching for RC Titles
Use the Advanced Search tool, which can be reached by page from your "My Account" page or through the Quick Search drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner, if you are logged in to our website. Select by RC Reading Level and RC Points Range, or by clicking on the Reading Counts! Books option in the Product Type drop-down box to generate results that are RC program specific.
Lexile
The Lexile Framework for Reading is a scientific approach to reading measurement that matches readers to text. The Lexile Framework, created by MetaMetrics, Inc., measures both reader ability and text difficulty on the same scale, generating a Lexile number and in some cases, a code. This approach allows teachers to manage reading comprehension and encourage reader progress.
Perma-Bound offers many Lexile-supported titles, which are designated by red text within search results, lists, and title detail pages.
EXAMPLE: LEX: 880 - refers to a Lexile number of 880.
Lexile Measure
A Lexile measure, as defined by MetaMetrics, is “a number indicating the reading demand of the text in terms of the semantic difficulty (vocabulary) and semantic complexity (sentence length). The Lexile scale ranges from 200 to 1700 Lexiles, although actual Lexile measures can range from below zero to above 2000 Lexiles.” (04/20/00)
EXAMPLES:
- LEX: 200 - Danny and the Dinosaur
- LEX: 600 - A Baby Sister for Frances
- LEX: 1000 - Black Beauty
- LEX: 1200 - War and Peace
- LEX: 1600 - Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals
Lexile Codes
Some Lexile titles include two letter codes to indicate the special characteristics of a particular text.
- AD - Adult-Directed
- BR - Beginning Reading
- IG - Illustrated Glossary
- NC - Non-Conforming
- NP - Non-Prose
EXAMPLE: LEX: AD900 - an Adult-Directed text with a Lexile number of 900.
Searching for Lexile Titles
Use the Advanced Search tool, which can be reached from your "My Account" page or through the Quick Search drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner, if you are logged in to our website. Select by Lexile number to generate results that are Lexile program specific.
Viewing Options
Reading Program Viewing Options are initially chosen upon registering with Perma-Bound.com. You can alter which reading programs are displayed within your lists, search results, and title detail pages at any time.
To change Reading Program Viewing Options:
- Navigate to the User Profile section of your "My Account" page.
- Add or remove the check-mark for Accelerated Reader, Reading Counts!, or Lexile by clicking within the respective box.
- Click on “Update”.
Teacher Support Materials
Perma-Bound provides a number of different types of teacher support materials. They include Teacher’s Guides, Perma-Guides, Crossroads to Literature, Shared Reading Guides, Novel Units, and Student Packets. To search for any of these materials online, use the Advanced Search and select them in the Product Type drop-down menu.
Teacher’s Guide
A source of activities and assessment tools for a given title. Each Teacher’s Guide includes a summary/synopsis, a contextual timeline of the story (or the author’s life), brief notes on literary criticism, specific and general objectives for presenting the material, definitions of helpful literary terms, and ideas for the cross-curricular use of the title (such as art, science, social studies, etc.). They also contain a “Meaning Study” for teaching words that might be new to a student and an associated vocabulary test, a “Comprehension Study” which includes discussion questions pertaining to the text’s themes and motifs, two multiple choice and essay tests for evaluating the student’s grasp of the work, and suggested activities for reinforcing concepts from the work. Teacher’s Guides are researched and created by Perma-Bound’s professional staff.
NOTE: With the purchase of a classroom allotment of 20 or more of the same book title, you will receive the associated Teacher’s Guide free of charge.
Perma-Guide
Contains all the components of a Teacher’s Guide in greater detail along with strategies for presenting the material to three distinctly different groups of students-At Risk, On Level, and Enriched. Perma-Guides also contain additional activities, reproducible student work sheets, two objective and essay tests with answer keys, and ideas for alternate forms of student assessment. Perma-Guides are researched and created by Perma-Bound’s Professional Staff.
Crossroads to Literature
The Crossroads program, intended for Advance Placement or Gifted classrooms, groups three thematically related works to four levels of high school coursework - Genre for freshmen, American Literature for sophomores, British literature for juniors, and World Literature for seniors. At each level, ideas are presented for emphasizing the theme, creating post-reading activities, writing and discussion suggestions (historical milieu, literary mode, cause and effect, point of view, etc.), and ideas for further reading. Also listed are suggested verse, essays, memoirs, autobiography, fables, tales, short stories, speeches, scripture, novels, plays, and films or videos to enhance and extend the unit of study. Additionally, each group of titles at each level will include at least one Teacher’s Guide for a title from the trio of works. Crossroads to Literature is researched and created by Perma-Bound’s professional staff.
Shared Reading Guide
Actual title - A Guide to a Shared Reading Experience with Big Books. This generic guide is intended for use by teachers who are presenting material to young learners using a Big Book with accompanying volumes young learners can hold individually. The guide defines the teacher’s and students’ roles in using Big Books, discusses prior knowledge necessary for comprehending the material, reinforces the need for reading/rereading the material, emphasizes reading skills and strategies, describes printing conventions, stresses letter-sound relationships and rhyming, provides ideas for guided and independent reading, and recommends cross curricular activities that relate to material from the Big Book. The guide also provides suggestions for assigning homework, evaluation methods, and a glossary of terms. The Shared Reading Guide was researched and created by Perma-Bound’s professional staff.
Novel Unit
Each unit includes a summary of the title, author background, pre- and post-reading activities, a vocabulary section, discussion questions, ideas for writing projects, literary analysis, cross-curriculum extension activities, and ideas for assessment.
Student Packet
Includes a Novel Unit guide for a given title, pre-reading activities, study questions, vocabulary activities, literary analysis, writing projects, critical thinking challenges, quizzes and a final exam with answer key. Student packets feature an average of 44 pages of multiple-level reproducibles.
FAQS - Reading Programs and Teacher Support Materials
What’s the difference between the various reading levels?
AR Reading Levels refer to the Accelerated Reader program and will match the basic Reading Level assigned by Perma-Bound where applicable. RC Reading Levels refer to the Reading Counts! program produced by Scholastic, which follows a separate scale.
How much are AR quizzes?
Custom quizzes are $2.99 each, with a required minimum of twenty per order.
I tried to check out and received a message that I do not have enough AR Quizzes - why?
You need a minimum of twenty AR Quizzes to place and order.
How do I change which reading programs are displayed within my search results and lists?
- Navigate to the User Info page from the link on the My Account page.
- Add or remove the check-mark for Accelerated Reader, Reading Counts!, or Lexile by clicking within the respective box.
- Click on “Update”.
I selected/deselected some AR Quizzes, but the changes didn’t show up on my list later - why?
In order to save any changes, you need to click on the blue “Update” button after altering your list.
Can I order AR quizzes without ordering the books?
You certainly can. Just be sure the check-mark indicating selection appears in the AR Quiz column of your list, but not in the Add column (which will select the book also). Also be sure your order includes the required minimum of twenty quizzes.