Independent Reader Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love
Are you looking for independent reader apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.
Accelerated Reader 360– This app helps teachers increase student engagement by using personalized reading goals and word class reading materials. Teachers no longer must search for close reading practice content as Accelerated Reader has a collection of high interest reading content that is searchable by level, topic, or skills. Teachers can also gain valuable insight by using Accelerated Reader’s reading dashboard, which provides comprehensive data and skill progression.
Kids A-Z– Children can select from a library of eQuizzes, eBooks, and hundreds of developmentally appropriate eResources by using the Kids A-Z mobile app. Students can complete corresponding quizzes to improve their comprehension skills and use interactive annotation tools that aid in the development of close reading skills. Kids A-Z mobile app is a must-have for kids that have access to Raz-Kids, Science A-Z, Headsprout, or Raz-plus.
7 Speed Reading– This app can help you become a proficient reader in the English language while eliminating old habits that hold you back. With 7 Speed Reading, students can learn to recognize large clusters of words and read without first vocalizing in their heads.
Speakaboos – This is an interactive reading app designed for children ages 2–6. It features real-along highlighting to capture kids’ attention and help build early reading skills. It also features touch screen interactions to engage children in reading and improve comprehension. This app is free for a seven-day trial period, followed by the option to subscribe. A wide selection of kids’ favorite books is available; the stories have one or all the “read to me,” “read by myself,” or “read and play,” options.
Starfall Learn to Read – Using this app, children learn to read with Zac the Rat. Each numbered section features a vowel sound and its related spelling. Children hear, touch, read, and master sound-spelling through a variety of engaging activities, movies, and songs. The game encourages children to play and explore while they learn.
Read With Me Fluency – This is a tool that helps train reading fluency in children. Teachers can create content for their classroom offline or online (both modes cannot be used simultaneously). Content can be accessed on the app, PC, or paper printout. As students read, they are recorded (audio and video), and the teacher notes mistakes and problem words that can be corrected later. The app collects student data that can be accessed by the teacher.
Bookopolis – The Bookopolis platform allows users to read and review books online. With help, students can create accounts and have access to a long list of books to read; books are available for early readers, older readers, and middle school readers. Students can also have access to books from writers and award winners. Bookopolis also features games to help take some time off the reading.
PebbleGo – PebbleGo is designed for beginning readers in kindergarten through second grade. It provides reading materials in English and Spanish for a broad selection of topics such as animals, earth and space, biographies, and social studies. Materials include text, photos, videos, links to similar topics, printable assessment sheets, and correct citations.
Informal Writing Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love
Are you looking for informal writing apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.
Writing Prompts – Writing Prompts uses current events, random words, scenes, sketches, genres, and text to provide hundreds of writing prompts for whole class or individual student use. Simply swipe through the available prompts until one strikes your fancy or save favorite prompts in a favorites folder for easy access later. With additional packs of prompts available for purchase, there are millions of prompt possibilities so students will never run out of things to write about.
Writing Challenge – Turn freewriting into a game with the Writing Challenge app. Helpful for students that struggle to freewrite or waste valuable literacy time trying to think of a topic, the Writing Challenge offers a set of prompts and allows the student to select the one they want. Then, every minute (or longer if the app settings are changed), it offers additional prompts to further the student’s writing, such as adding new characters, words, places, or actions. The best way to improve writing is to practice, and for students that struggle to practice independently, the Writing Challenge can decrease writing anxiety and help deal with the fear of the “blank page.”
Strip Designer – Strip Designer allows students to create their own personal comic books from personal or classroom photos. With more than 100 included templates, students insert their photos, add filters, text balloons, word stickers like “BANG” or “POW,” and even draw directly on their comic strips within the app. Once students have completed their comic strips, the files are easy to share via email, Facebook, Twitter, or save as a PDF. Strip Designer can be used as an engagement tool in literacy class for writing hesitant students, to create final projects across any subject, or as a fun reward.
Comic Book!– This app allows users to create a version of their favorite comic superheroes and villains. The app comes with a plethora of interfaces, which allow users to customize their creations using virtually every form of editing, such as picture filters and deception heading.
