Learning A-Z - Adaptive Technology in the Classroom
As an ELA educator I am always looking for texts that are
easily accessible to all students on a variety of levels. One platform that I have used more this year
than ever is Raz-Kids found on Learning A-Z. Our district purchased access for all
students and teachers in our schools. We
access it through Clever which is the platform used by students to access
teacher pages and educational apps.
Learning A-Z/Raz Plus has an abundance of leveled readers as well as lessons that
students can engage in when close reading texts on their independent reading
level. The site allows teachers to
assign specific books and students to choose their own books as well. There is
a test that students can take to help determine texts that are appropriate for
them. As teachers, we can adjust the level
and manage students book selections and activities. This site also provides reports on student
usage and grades on assignments/quizzes.
I like this site because it also includes and ELL (English Language Learner)
section that includes books in Spanish as well as books that teach English to
our students who primarily speak Spanish. Many books are in other language too including French, Polish, Ukranian, and Vietnamese. There are also annotation tools that students can use while reading to
organize and close read texts. Overall
it has a ton of resources for teachers and students to actively engage in
reading and writing. It is very user
friendly and has short videos to help a teacher navigate the different elements
of the site. Also included is a Guided Help button that walks you through
setting up your class and using all of the features.
The reason I chose this site to highlight is because I
always struggle to find books on topics that I am teaching that can be read on
a variety of reading levels. As a 5th
grade teacher, I often have students reading on a 2nd or 3rd
grade reading level. If we are talking
about WWII, it is hard for students to engage in texts on topics due to the text
level. Raz-Kids has books on said topics
that are available on a range of reading levels. Students who want to know more can access
that information. They can also use the annotation
tools mentioned above. There are
highlighting tools and shades/line guides to help readers that need to look at
the text in another way or that can benefit by only seeing part of the text as
they read. I love that students can have
books read to them and they can also record themselves reading. As a reading teacher this is helpful so that
I can listen to a child read at another time to plan for instruction base on
the evaluation of said oral reading/running record. I hope other school districts use this site
as well and if not, maybe you can suggest it for your district.
Resources and References
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