The pull to go “back to basics” when it comes to reading instruction has been growing stronger and stronger among many teachers, especially those who work with our youngest learners. We know our students get excited about using technology and engaging apps, but without a solid foundation in the core principles of reading instruction, many of the newer resources can end up feeling like a lot of flash without much substance. So when we come across a new app that manages to blend these two ideas together, we get excited to talk about it. Modern kid-friendly technology meets the Science of Reading in Reading.com‘s app, which is now launching a teacher edition just in time for the back-to-school season.
Who is Reading.com for?
This app was designed with younger students in mind. Perfect for pre-K through grade 2, the app engages children through its interactive and engaging content, which includes phonics instruction, decodable books, and reinforcement games. With the newly launched teacher edition, the app provides all of the essential tools housed in a user-friendly dashboard. You can manage classrooms, track student progress, and deliver individualized instruction. Additionally, you can assign your entire class a particular lesson or customize lesson placement for individual students. For students, the app provides engaging graphics, targeted literacy instruction, and a multimodal learning experience. The co-play aspect of the lessons and scripted format make learning both fun for kids and less stressful for adults, making this app a win for both students and teachers.
What sets Reading.com apart from other reading apps?
With 99 scripted direct instruction lessons, 60 interactive and decodable books, and a collection of fun videos and games, the strong content is the first thing that truly stands out when you begin to investigate Reading.com. The research-based lessons build from phonemes and graphemes to reading comprehension in a kid-friendly way. But one of our favorite aspects of the Reading.com program is the importance it places on students using the app together with a trusted adult. Experts agree that the best reading instruction happens when young learners and their trusted adults read together. By making this an integral piece of the literacy instruction puzzle, Reading.com sets itself apart from other programs.
How are teachers using Reading.com in the classroom?
Since Reading.com‘s lessons are done in a co-play style with an adult guiding children through the learning, many teachers use it in small-group instruction or as part of a reading intervention lesson with individual students. It’s great for students who are struggling to make progress in their reading skills. It would be perfect for supplemental reading instruction like tutoring or after-school as well. Finally, since the lessons are scripted, Reading.com is a perfect tool to encourage parents to support their child’s learning at home. Teachers can use the app in partnership with families, making it a wonderful tool for building strong collaboration between parents and teachers as they work together with students to help them learn to read.
Ready to have fun while getting back to the basics of reading in your classroom?
To sign up and start using Reading.com in the classroom, follow these steps:
- Visit Reading.com and click “Teacher Edition” at the top of the page.
- Click “Sign up & Log in.”
- Create an account by entering your email and choosing a password and a PIN for the app.
- Follow the prompts to set up your classroom and add students.
- Explore the dashboard to see the scope and sequence of lessons, onboarding materials, and printable activities.
- Download the app on an Apple or Android phone or tablet and log in as a teacher to view the 99 scripted lessons, 60 interactive books, reinforcement games, and more.
- Your free trial is for 30 days for three students, but you can request more time or more student licenses for your trial.
Reading.com offers a research-backed curriculum designed to make reading instruction engaging and effective. With features that allow for real-time progress tracking, personalized learning paths, and interactive content, Reading.com significantly boosts student outcomes. The Science of Reading supports Reading.com in the “back to basics” method, which emphasizes systematic, explicit instruction in the early grades. Most importantly, Reading.com provides teachers with the resources needed to foster a love of reading in young learners.