Developing Reading Strategies

Headsprout is a reading program for readers in Grades 3-5, which automatically adapts to the student's specific learning needs. This program teaches nonreaders and early readers critical reading fundamentals, including finding facts, making inferences, identifying themes, and learning vocabulary in the context of the story. There is a free trial for Headsprout, however, there is a cost associated with longer use.

Raz - Kids has more than 400 e-books that include electronic quizzes to determine reading comprehension skills. This allows teachers to make data-informed decisions about student learning. In addition, Raz-Kids keeps running records to support teacher assessment. Raz Kids allows students to participate in a motivational, gamified atmosphere where they are able to create Avatars and earn badges as they achieve various milestones. Students are also able to achieve rewards and certificates to celebrate their achievements. Raz Kids is suitable for kids from Kindergarten to Grade 5 and has a Free Trial but there is a fee for extended use.

Lexia Core 5 allows students to follow their own personalized learning plan which allows them some control over path and pace. Core 5 provides teachers with data and resources that allow them to effectively support each student's growth. Lexia provides student assessment and direction for their future learning activities. It gives all students an individualized learning program that provides scaffolding activities and appropriate initial placement. Core 5 has been identified in several studies that indicate it to be an effective literacy program.

Khan Academy is a free website that supports student learning in many different curricular areas. It offers a variety of modalities to support personalized learning and allows students to choose the speed at which they are able to complete assigned tasks effectively. Khan Academy can be used both in and outside of the classroom and provides reading and vocabulary lessons and activities from Grade 2 to Grade 9. In Khan Academy, child accounts for students under the age of 13 are restricted so that students are unable to post or share their personal information online. Khan Academy is a free site and does not contain advertisements.

Read Theory is a web-based program that helps to support reading comprehension in students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Read Theory determines students reading level and assigns them practice passages and questions that fit within their reading level. Students can work towards point goals, reading competitions, or badges to help them stay engaged. The program assigns students practice activities while teachers are able to identify student progress through the teacher dashboard and data reports. Read Theory has a basic trial opportunity, but there is a monthly charge in order to access many of the key tools and reports. This program holds its data in the United States.

IXL is a comprehensive website that supports literacy growth in all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 12. IXL assesses student knowledge and suggests a program of activities to support each child's growth. IXL provides a guide to support teachers' use of the website in-person, in a hybrid learning situation, or fully online. The website AI suggests skills for individual student reinforcement and helps with setting student goals. The program also includes parent support suggestions for at home use. Students and parents can sign in from anywhere that there is an internet connection. Students are also able to track their own growth, and there are a variety of motivational certificates, photo props, and posters to support student engagement. The program also recognizes top teachers and provides professional development opportunities. IXL has offices in many countries but is an American- based program. There is a fee for use with this program.