Archives for January 2022

As virtual learning went mainstream during the pandemic, schools realized that they could pivot to remote learning for snow days, too. While the much-anticipated snow day often included sledding, snow men and sleeping in, many schools are now moving to virtual instruction instead of canceling classes.

When winter weather forces schools to close beyond the number of allotted snow days, the school year is often extended into the summer. Virtual instruction lets learning continue even when the days are snow-packed. Some subjects like reading may be challenging to teach virtually. How can you use Zoom to teach reading lessons?

For instructors who are looking for tips and suggestions for fun remote learning ideas to help students learn to read and gain proficiency, here’s how to Zoom into reading.

Zoom Reading Lessons for Younger Children

In classroom sessions, students may have individualized reading groups where the teacher works with several students on reading skills. In elementary school, each group may have a different reading level and assignments may differ, too. Sometimes the reading lesson is tailored to the entire class.

Teaching via Zoom may be a challenge as students may have different needs. However, teachers can try their best to mirror the in-class reading instruction via Zoom. One of the biggest obstacles teachers may face is keeping children engaged virtually.

Zoom lessons for reading may focus on immersive activities and try to keep the lesson as visual as possible. For example, teachers can utilize flashcards or other visual cues to help teach phonics or letter recognition.

Teachers also can get creative. Props like toys and other items can be used to help younger children learn letters and sounds. For every letter, the teacher may offer a visual cue—like an apple or a plush zebra (for Z).

Visual cues can help keep children engaged and immersed in the lesson. Teachers also could encourage the use of school-based programs that are utilized in the class, too. If children work on their reading with Raz Kids, then part of the lesson could include working on this program virtually.

Think-Pair-Share also can be employed remotely. Team up students to work on reading assignments together and answer questions about stories or talk about what they have read.

Zoom Reading for Older Elementary Students

Children in higher elementary grades may be used to reading independently and completing assignments on their own, too. Teachers may begin a reading lesson by presenting a topic to all students, though.

If the entire class is reading a particular book, the session could focus on the themes of the book or plot details. Teachers may introduce new literary concepts like foreshadowing or inferencing. After the group lesson, students may pair up for Think-Pair-Share activities.

Older students might have an easier time focusing on the lesson and staying engaged than their younger peers. However, teachers may brainstorm creative ways to make lessons more immersive and interactive.

Students also may be prompted to use particular reading programs to guide and gauge their reading progress.

Teacher Read Aloud Sessions

The site Lucky Little Learners points out that Zoom sessions need to include a read-aloud session hosted by teachers. Children often love it when their teacher reads to them, and Zoom makes it easy to host a read aloud session.

Teachers will want to make sure that their face and the book they are reading are both completely visible to students. Be sure to show the pictures! Lucky Little Learners emphasizes that words on the book will look backwards to teachers on their own camera, however the words will appear correctly to students. Don’t worry that students will see mixed up words—they won’t!

Household Sight Word Scavenger Hunts

Hosting a scavenger hunt via Zoom also is a strategy that Lucky Little Learners recommends. However, teachers can focus this scavenger hunt on a list of sight words that children need to find around their house.

Set a time limit for the scavenger hunt. Then say ‘go’ and encourage children to go find objects in their home with the sight words on them. Emphasize safety, though, and keep sight word scavenger hunts focused on words that can best be found around the home.

Teachers can Do Guided Reading Via Zoom

Inspire Me ASAP explains how teachers can use Zoom to host guided reading sessions. Teachers can admit specific students into a session from the waiting room. This allows teachers to work with a small group of students on guided reading assignments.

Students who are waiting for their group may be directed to complete other assignments. Teachers can set up their schedule so that all students remain engaged as they wait for their reading time.

Reading Resources

Teachers also could direct students to use reading resources that complement the curriculum. Many school districts encourage children to use programs like Raz-Kids and Accelerated Reader.

During virtual learning sessions on snow days, teachers might utilize Raz-Kids as part of the day’s assignment. In addition, districts also could give students access to other educational apps and sites, too. One popular site that many children use for math is called Coolmath Games; this includes different games that students can play to work on different math concepts. Even Checkers is included in Coolmath, as this game teaches children how to strategize.

Independent Reading at Home

Even when children are learning virtually, independent reading at home is often still a part of classroom expectations. Most schools encourage students to read at home 15 to 30 minutes per night. Parents may need to keep a log to show that their child completed their nightly reading.

Some children love to open a new book, but others love technology more. For children who learn better via technology, using an e-reader might be more appealing. Most smartphones and tablets are preloaded with an e-reader. For example, Apple devices offer the app Books.

Students can click on an e-reader app, and this will take them to a store where they can download books. Some titles are free, but newer or more popular book titles vary in price. E-books are like their print counterparts, just virtual. These books still offer the same illustrations, and children can even turn the pages of the book using their fingertips. Some e-books could offer exploratory features, too.

Use Reading Apps after Zoom

Teachers also may encourage the use of reading apps to help guide, enhance and aid the child’s reading journey. For children who struggle with reading, parents could download these apps to use at home.

Readability, for example, can be used by children in preschool through fifth grade. Readability offers a multi-modal approach to reading instruction. The program features a built-in AI tutor that recognizes each child’s voice; lessons are read aloud, and if a child stumbles, the AI tutor will provide assistance.

Readability also can help children who struggle with comprehension. At the end of each book, the AI tutor will ask the child questions about the story. This is how the program measures the child’s comprehension of what they have read.

Readability can help complement the in-class and virtual reading lessons, while also providing additional help and reading guidance to children who need one-on-one attention. Children will only advance to more difficult reading levels when they demonstrate proficiency in both reading fluency and reading comprehension.

For parents whose children may be learning virtually during snow days or for other reasons, they may notice that their child might need more help than the daily Zoom sessions allow. Parents can download Readability and schedule a free seven-day trial to better understand the program and ensure that it meets their child’s needs.

Android and iOS are the two most popular operating systems on smartphone devices. Apple might lead in smartphone shares, but it also holds the majority in the operating systems market (OS). Android only accounts for 46 percent, while Apple took 53.66 percent. Most in the U.S. use a phone with either iOS or Android.

When shopping for apps to use for these devices, users will either turn to the App Store (for Apple) or Google Play for Android. There are many great learning apps on Android, but what is the best reading comprehension app Android offers?

Here are recommendations for educational apps, games and even the best reading comprehension app for Android users.

Balancing Screen Time

Parents may debate how much screen time is too much for kids. In this ever-connected world, though, most children are constantly using screens for learning and for socialization. Most teens own a smartphone, and many kids own one, too.

Across the U.S., many schools use one-to-one computing programs. This means that all students are provided with a Chromebook or laptop for school purposes. Children use their devices during school to complete and turn in assignments. Textbooks may be online, too.

For this reason, parents may find that children use screens more than ever before. Once they head home, children may complete homework on their school computer, too. Then they may use a tablet or smartphone to text friends or even play games.

Screen time for older children can be a bit of a murky area for parents. Experts recommend that screens should not interfere with healthy activities like sleeping, eating and physical activity. Children need to socialize face-to-face, too.

Some families may have rules navigating smartphone or device usage. They may require that phones do not come to the dinner table and that the screens are retired at a certain time. Other parents may have more stringent rules. Some families, though, may be a bit more relaxed.

For parents who do want to set guidelines for children, Android and Apple devices can make it easy to set screen time limitations on phones and tablets. Google offers a tutorial on how to set limits for children via Android devices.

The Best Games for Android

Many children use smartphones and tablets to play games with their friends. Parents may notice that every year there seems to be a popular game that all the children play together. It can be hard for parents to keep up with all the gaming trends!

Here’s a list of the most popular games many children in elementary school love. All of them can be found via Google Play for Android.

Pokemon GO

This game seemingly never gets old. Pokemon GO has been around for some time, but kids love to play it. The game involves using the phone or tablet camera to see the real life surroundings. Pokemon appear via augmented reality in the real world. The goal is to find and capture the Pokemon. Then these little creatures can be used in a Pokemon battle. If children are playing this game, parents should make sure they are always aware of their surroundings. It’s easy to get caught up in looking for Pokemon, but safety is important. Never let children trespass on private property to capture Pokemon, and parents also may want to set some Pokemon GO boundaries, too.

Minecraft

In Minecraft, children can create worlds and play in ‘creative mode.’ The game also can be played in Survival Mode; children have to make weapons and fend off mobs of characters. Play with friends or opt to play solo. Children also love to collect the merchandise associated with this franchise; parents can find clothes and toys with Minecraft characters.

Roblox

Roblox lets players create different games and virtual worlds. Players also can explore the worlds created by others. Robux is money that can be used within the game for purchases. Robux can be purchased within the game or via gift cards. Beware of any downloads promising free Robux. There are also many Robux scams; PCMag explains that this is because at certain levels Robux can be exchanged for real money.

PBS Kids Games

For parents who want games that are age-appropriate for younger children, download PBS Kids via Google Play. The app includes games associated with popular characters from PBS Kids shows. Find games with Daniel Tiger, Alma, Wild Kratts and more. Many games are designed to be educational, too. So children will learn while having fun.

The Best Learning Apps via Google Play

Some children may struggle with lessons that they are learning in school. Parents may look for ways to help them and to provide enrichment at home. Apps can offer an immersive and entertaining solution for mastering and practicing different concepts for subjects like math and reading.

These are the best educational apps on Google Play to help children gain proficiency in math and reading concepts.

Math Apps for Android

Math skills progress each year in elementary school. These skills build on each other; if a child fails to master an earlier math concept, they may continue to struggle. Apps for Android can help children practice common concepts to work towards mastery.

Multiplication Memorizer

Some school districts have stopped requiring multiplication memorization as part of the curriculum. In the past, children often were drilled with different tests to help them gain mastery of their times tables. This was a common focus in third grade. Now that memorization skill and drill focus may be left up to parents. The Multiplication Memorizer app helps students learn and master their times tables. There’s even a timed section to help children increase their speed.  

Fun Math

This app includes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division activities for children to work on all major mathematical concepts. The app can be used through fourth grade. Children can choose what aspect of math they want to practice; for example, fourth graders can choose to practice subtracting three digit numbers.

Numbers for Kids

Designed for younger children, this app helps students practice number identification and counting. The app includes a clock activity, too

Reading Apps for Android

Children in younger grades may be learning to master the sounds of letters; toddlers and preschoolers may learn to identify letters, too. Kindergarteners and first and second graders may need to memorize a list of sight words; apps can help them practice. For older elementary students, apps may need to focus on reading comprehension and more immersive reading instruction. Google Play has reading apps for all ages.

ABC Kids-Tracing and Phonics

With this app, children can learn their letters by tracing each letter. The app also helps children understand the sound each letter makes and helps them distinguish both uppercase and lowercase letters.

Writing Wizard

Children can practice their handwriting by tracing words, letters and numbers. The app also teaches children the proper way to form each letter.

Sight Words Learning

The app includes the entire list of sight words from the Dolch List. Children can gain proficiency in identifying these words with games and other activities. They also could use flash cards to aid in mastery, too.

Google Play Books

When using an Android device, there may be an app called Google Play Books that has already been downloaded. This app is Android’s ereader. Click on it to explore a library of books, some of which are free. Download books and let children read them via the app. Ebooks allow children to flip pages virtually using just their fingertips. This can be a fun experience, especially for children who love technology. Parents also can download comics or audiobooks for kids, too. Audiobooks can be a great resource for children to use when reading independently; they can listen to the book as they follow along.

Readability is the Best Reading Comprehension App Android Offers

What’s the best reading comprehension app Android offers? That would be Readability! While there are many reading apps via Google Play, Readability provides a lesson-based approach to literacy that can help children who struggle with reading comprehension.

Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that helps guide lessons. Children read stories aloud when using Readability; if they stumble, the AI tutor will help them decipher the word. The tutor is programmed with voice recognition software which allows it to understand each child’s unique speaking voice.

After children finish reading the story, the AI tutor also will ask them questions about what they read. This is how the program helps measure comprehension. What if children don’t exhibit mastery of the story’s plot or show an understanding of what they read?

If children struggle to understand a story, the program will not advance them to a harder reading level. Children only move ahead in the program when they can show that they have mastered both reading proficiency and comprehension.

Readability ensures that each child progresses at their level. Some children may need to stay at a level for a longer period of time. That’s ok. Progress doesn’t have a time limit.

How do parents know that their child is improving? Readability includes a portal just for parents called the Parent Dashboard. This area is only accessible to parents and shows all the reading data for each child. Parents will see how many words their child is reading per minute, their reading level and how long they read during lessons.

Parents also can compile all this reading data into a report to send to their child’s teacher. This can help parents and the school better understand a child’s reading progress at home and how it compares to their classroom proficiency.

Interested in exploring Readability? Parents can sign up for a free-seven day trial for access to all the program’s features including the AI tutor. Download Readability for Android on Google Play and sign up for a free trial today!

Many school districts across the country utilize one-to-one computing; this means that each child is provided with a laptop or, in many cases, a Chromebook. According to a 2018 market brief by EdWeek, Chromebooks represented 60 percent of school computer purchases. Kajeet reported that in 2019 the majority of schools and districts—85 percent—use a Chromebook program.

Students use Chromebooks to complete and turn in assignments, they use them to do research, and, during downtime, they may use them to play educational games in class, too. What are the best educational apps for Chromebook?

Here are lots of app options for Chromebook to keep children entertained and learning.

Downloading Apps on a School-Owned Chromebook

If a child has been issued a Chromebook to use for school assignments, parents need to understand that this is a school-owned device. The Chromebook is not a personal toy. In fact, districts might have set restrictions on these devices to ensure that malware or inappropriate apps cannot be downloaded.

Before downloading educational games or apps onto a school-owned computer or device, parents need to understand district rules, regulations and restrictions and abide by them. Parents might want to check with the network administrator about what apps are permitted to download onto the device.

Other school districts might be a bit more lenient about educational apps. They may allow students to download games and apps to the device as long as they meet certain guidelines. Some apps may even be downloaded onto the device for children to use.

If the Chromebook is a personally-owned computer and not a school-issued device, parents may want to set their own restrictions on what their child can and cannot download via the Chrome Web Store.

Using Google Play to Access and Download Apps

On Apple devices, apps are downloaded via the App Store. Android and Chromebook users can download apps via Google Play. Some apps may be exclusive to Apple and/or Google devices.

Although Android and Chromebook are both Google-based devices, they can’t always access the same app experiences. Some Chromebooks aren’t compatible with Google Play. In addition, Google explains that some districts might not allow Google Play.

While Android users can experience augmented reality apps like Floom that lets them dig a virtual hole in their world and see on the other side, Chromebooks might not be able to access Google’s Android-based virtual reality experiments.

Best Apps for Math Enrichment

Children in all grades may have access to a Chromebook, and there are many apps that can help them with math and grade-appropriate math skills. Here are some of the best educational math apps available via Google Play:

Prodigy Math Game

This math game is designed like a traditional video game; it offers adventures, missions and more. Students can compete with friends. However, game play means that children need to answer some math questions. Prodigy is used by many schools, and students may already have access to the game via their Chromebook.

As Prodigy is educational and great for different grade levels, parents could reach out to the network administrator to inquire about downloading it.

Coolmath Games

Coolmath also is used by many districts. What’s cool about Coolmath is that the app features lots of different games for math practice, but some of these games also offer fun mind challenges for children. Children can even play checkers. They will have fun exploring all the unique games, solving puzzles and even practicing math.

Math Kids

This app offers puzzle activities to help children with addition, subtracting and comparing. They can take quizzes, too, so parents can determine how they have progressed. The app is free to download.

Multiplication Ninja

Some school districts have ditched the skill and drill exercises and tests to ensure children have mastered their multiplication facts. The responsibility for times tables proficiency may be up to parents; with Multiplication Ninja, children can practice their times tables to gain proficiency and speed. Take Time Trials or do a 30-Second Duel!

Fractions for Kids

Fractions can be difficult for some children to master. Fractions for Kids helps children practice wholes, halves and thirds. Children also can practice fraction identification, compare fractions, adding fraction and the game helps children understand fractions via a number line.

Reading Apps for Chromebook

While there are a number of different math apps via Google Play for children to enrich their skills and help with proficiency and perhaps mental computation speed, too, parents also may look for apps for children who struggle with reading. As with the App Store, many reading apps are designed as games; these apps may focus on phonics, letter identification, and sight word mastery.

For reading comprehension and fluency, though, apps might require a subscription. Lesson-based apps may be designed to help guide children as they read; these apps may be fine to use at home, but downloading them on a school-owned device might be a different story.

Schools may have their own reading apps that they use to guide instruction and to help children who may be struggling. Districts also could have programs that are used across all elementary schools to help develop literacy skills.

Common reading programs that children may have access to at school include Raz-Kids and Accelerated Reader. These programs may be accessed via a Chromebook; some children also could be provided with their account information so that they can use the programs at school.

Raz-Kids may be a popular program that schools allow children to access at home. With Raz-Kids, children read books and take quizzes over what they read on the app. As they finish assignments and pass quizzes about the books that they’ve read, they move up to another reading level. Reading levels via Raz-Kids are denoted by letters of the alphabet.

Accelerated Reader, though, may be limited to in-school use. This program quizzes children about the books they read and can help schools understand how much children are reading and how much they comprehend, too. Some schools offer prizes to children when they gain a certain number of AR points; for this reason, schools may limit AR use to school only. That way, children don’t have any temptation to look back at the book.

For children who need more help with reading fluency and comprehension, a reading app with guided reading lessons could be beneficial. Parents can download Readability via Google Play. Readability offers a built-in AI tutor that helps children as they read stories aloud; the tutor also tests comprehension by asking questions at the end of each story.

While the app is free to download, Readability requires a monthly subscription to access all the features. However, parents can sign up for a free seven-day trial to better understand how the program works and to see if it’s a good fit for their child.

While parents may decide to use Readability at home, they should request permission from the school’s network administrator before downloading it onto any school-owned device. Since Readability is compatible with Apple and Android devices (and PCs, too!), parents should focus on installing the app on privately-owned devices.

Parents who want to provide their child with additional reading enrichment at home can sign up for a free Readability trial period today!

In kindergarten, children are learning the basics of reading. They are exploring sound blends, memorizing sight words and reading easy text. By fifth grade, students will be preparing for middle school. Their reading is likely focused on chapter books, and they are learning more abstract concepts.  

The years between kindergarten and fifth grade represent an accumulation of reading knowledge. Each year offers different milestones and unique academic benchmarks. When a child struggles with reading at any grade level, however, parents may need to offer help. How do parents find the best elementary school reading apps for their child’s grade level?

Determine a Child’s Struggles

A child’s reading struggles may be focused on reading fluency or decoding or comprehension. Some children may struggle with both decoding and comprehension. Finding the best tools to help a child who struggles with reading may depend on identifying their specific challenges.

 Parents also may take a step back and review data from the school related to their child’s reading mastery. Many schools will communicate with parents about their child’s reading progress. Schools may test children’s reading abilities throughout the year; these scores can provide a snapshot of both the child’s reading abilities and their progress, too.

A child could have been hitting reading benchmarks in lower grades but suddenly began to struggle as reading expectations became more difficult. Other children might have been making literacy gains but were still reading below grade level.

Reviewing reading scores and tests from the school can help parents better understand the areas in which their child is struggling. Contacting the child’s teacher to discuss reading concerns also can help open up a dialogue about how best parents can help at home. Teachers may offer suggestions. Sometimes teachers can provide parents with educational sites that children use at school that also can be used for at-home enrichment.

Finding the Best Elementary School Leveled Reading Apps

There are a number of ways that parents can help their child with reading at home. For younger children who struggle, parents may read with them and help them sound out words or ask them questions about the story as they read. In early elementary grades, comprehension usually focuses on the basic w/h questions: who, what, where, when, why and how.

In later elementary grades, children may be reading chapter books. Parents may still read with children, tackling the book chapter by chapter, and then talking about events and characters.

However, as books are longer and as literacy expectations become more complex, it may be more difficult for parents to zero in on their child’s struggles. In later elementary grades, comprehension may be focused on ‘interpretive’ understanding that requires deeper thinking. Interpretive comprehension involves inferencing.

 Some parents can help children who struggle to read between the lines of a story to make predictions, but other parents might not know how to explain these more abstract comprehension concepts. Inferencing requires children to dig deeper and pick up on clues and insights in the text. This type of comprehension isn’t black and white.

Reading apps can help bridge the gaps between what parents know how to explain and maybe what they don’t. Reading apps can be used by children in all grade-levels, but parents need to find the best apps to meet their child’s needs and provide the tools to help them.

Free Apps and Subscription Reading Apps for Elementary School

Parents can search for reading apps via the App Store or Google Play—depending on the type of device they use. Searching for reading apps, though, will bring up a long list of results. Many of these apps are free to download, but, when parents start researching and exploring each app, they may realize that full use of the app requires a subscription.

Other apps are offered in a game format. These might not require any subscription, but these apps might offer in-app purchases. This means that children can make purchases in the game. Phones let parents turn off this option, and parents might consider deactivating the in-app purchase option. Otherwise, they may end up with surprise charges.

Are subscription apps better than free reading apps? Typically, subscription apps are designed with a lesson-based approach to reading. These apps may provide more one-on-one help for children who struggle with reading.

Free apps can be a good choice, though, when parents need to help their child practice sight words or learn letters and sounds. Free apps may have more basic offerings, but children may find the game-based approach to be a fun way to master key concepts.

Are Subscription Reading Apps Designed for all Grade Levels?

With subscription apps, parents may have a lot of different choices. Are subscription-based reading apps designed for all elementary school grade levels? The answer really depends on each particular reading app.

Parents should know their child’s reading struggles when researching the best app for their child. They also might look for reading apps that will grow with a child? What does this mean? If a child is in first grade and is struggling with reading, parents may research apps that can be used to help them throughout elementary school. In this situation, parents may prefer reading apps that can be used through fifth grade.

Subscription reading apps will include the age or grade-level range for which the app is designed. If a program can be used throughout elementary school, the app will note this.

Some reading apps may be designed for younger children but most are focused on the elementary school years. This period is a crucial time for literacy development, and many apps will provide help for children until fifth grade. Readability can be used from preschool to fifth grade!

Finding the Best Reading App for the Money

When reading apps require a subscription to use, parents may be cautious about the investment. How much does a reading app subscription cost? Each different reading program may have its own monthly subscription price. Some may even offer one price for an entire year.

Parents who are worried about committing to a monthly payment might choose to explore the app via a trial period. Before paying for an app, parents will want to ensure their child likes it and that it will help address their child’s struggles.

Many subscription-based reading apps will offer a free-trial period. Typically, the free offer extends for seven days. When looking at the monthly price of a subscription, though, parents also might take into consideration how many children can use one account. Readability allows up to three children per account.

When multiple children can use one subscription, the cost per user is then minimized.

Explore an App that Grows with a Child’s Reading Needs

All reading apps may be designed differently and may focus on different literacy challenges. Readability offers a comprehensive approach to literacy, providing help for children who struggle with fluency and comprehension.

Readability offers a built-in AI tutor that guides the reading lessons. Children read stories aloud, and the tutor will provide help when a child stumbles or struggles. At the end of each story, the tutor also asks questions to test comprehension.

Readability also offers a Storytime function; this lets children listen to the story. Some children learn better when they read a story and hear it, too. Storytime provides another tool to support readers on their journey to proficiency.

For parents who might be unsure if Readability is the best choice for their child, sign up for a free seven-day trial to explore all the features! Children can work with the AI tutor and explore different stories on the app. With a subscription, parents can use their Readability account for up to three readers. Start exploring Readability today, and sign up for a trial!