Kids A-Z

App: Kids A-Z

Company: Reading A-Z

Cost: $105.95/teacher for 1 calendar year

Device: Apple or Android tablets or phones, website on a Internet capable computer, Kindle devices

SAMR Model: Augmentation

App Map Score: here

Participatory Literacies Score: here

Description

Kids A-Z is a reading program (accessible via computer or app) that allows teachers to assign a student's reading level. Students can independently listen to a text being read, read it independently, then answer comprehension questions.

This resource also allows teachers to assign an assessment where students can record themselves reading a text, then the teacher can listen to it later and complete a running record, listen to their retell and comprehension, and use it to drive instruction. Students are also able to record themselves reading any text allowing for self reflection or teacher assessment.

Students are also able to browse the program's library, accessing hundreds of e-books. These texts are non-fiction, fiction, English, Spanish, and many other genres. Even if a book is not at a student's reading level, they can still listen to the text being read and build listening and comprehension skills.

This resource is motivating for students because every time they complete a task, either listening, reading, comprehension, or a "flight check" (running record), students receive stars. Students can then use the stars to "buy" materials and personalize the program's robot or rocket ship.

This resource is great because it is easily accessible even by kindergartners, for the most part. Teachers can set up their student list and assign passwords either using words or pictures. Students can access this resource outside of school on an Internet capable device.

This resource tracks student activity, their answers on comprehension checks, and running records. Teachers are able to access this data either on an individual student basis or as a class. Data is based off of student's work as well as the Common Core ELA Standards.

Teachers can buy additional licenses for different Reading A-Z programs. A Reading A-Z subscription can be purchased allowing for teachers to download, access, or print paper versions of the books. There is also a Writing A-Z component that can be purchased.

Differentiation

Kids A-Z is great for differentiation. Kids A-Z, as mentioned earlier, allows for teachers to assign a reading level. There is a correlation chart allowing for teachers to use their reading program's leveling system and apply it to Kids A-Z's levels.

Students can use Kids A-Z independently at school, building listening, reading, and comprehension skills. Students can also build these skills at home. Student activity and performance can be assessed by teachers to drive instruction, change levels as needed, or assess performance and improvement as the year progresses. Students are automatically leveled up once they complete their level's books (listening, reading, and comprehension). Teachers can go in and edit the reading level at any time.

This is great for students who are below, at, or above grade level as a subscription gives a teacher and her/his student's access to the entire library that ranges from AA-Z. Teachers are given the opportunity to reach every reader without having to find or purchase additional resources or books that they may not have tangible items of. The visuals in the text are very helpful, especially in the lower levels, to help students comprehend what the text is saying or figure out an unknown word.

Comprehension

Kids A-Z is a great resource to help develop comprehension skills. Students can build comprehension skills even if they are not yet reading independently. They are able to listen to a text being read, read it themselves, and then answer comprehension questions. The comprehension check helps students be able to think about the texts as their read. Teachers can use the data to drive instruction and figure out what comprehension skills need to be taught or reviewed.

Possible Downfalls

Kids A-Z may become distracting when students are personalizing their robot or rocket ship and "buying" objects with their stars. Some students, in my experience, have needed reminders that it is not something that they should spend their entire time on. Perhaps teachers could give five minutes to work on their robot or rocket ship and then students should be expected to engage in the reading activities.

Students also may just click through the independent reading portion of their text. This can be monitored by the teacher checking student activity on the teacher site. This can also be avoided when introducing the app to the students. I have noticed students who may be struggling with the passage clicking through. If this is the case, I often encourage them to listen to the story again, use the pictures as clues, or use other learned reading strategies. If they still struggle, consider having them do a running record to re-assess the current reading level. If on a computer, students can click the unknown words and hear it pronounced to help guide them through their reading.