Readworks, 99Math, Epic

                                 

https://www.readworks.org/

What is it? ReadWorks is a research-based digital tool that provides content, tools, and support for reading comprehension. ReadWorks is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide free resources with a national reach.

Is it easy to use? Yes! Teachers sign up for an account and can add students or sync with Google Classroom. If syncing with Google Classroom, students simply click the sign-on with Google button and select their class. If students are signing on using a code, simply enter the code and click on the class.

ReadWorks also provides guidance for educators!

Is it practical? Yes! Students need more background knowledge, especially second language learners. Providing strategic vocabulary development and exposure to texts, especially nonfiction, is essential for students to increase reading comprehension (Kaefer et al., 2015)

How much does it cost? Free! There is no paid subscription. The non-profit's mission is to provide free access to materials nationwide.

Is it user-friendly?  Absolutely! Teachers can create a "class" through Google Classroom. ReadWorks will sync students automatically. Students log on through Google Classroom and then sign on using their Google sign-on. Students select the teacher, and they are in! Teachers can create assignments and assign them to the entire class or specific students. The process of choosing articles is easy. The teacher selects the grade, lexile, skill, or type of article, and then a list of articles meeting that criterion pops up. ReadWorks also includes a scope and sequence for "Article of the Day." The teacher can assign a piece of the day's topic and post it in Google Classroom. Students simply log on to Google Classroom and start reading! There is a "Book of Knowledge" component where students write a response to what they read. Teachers log in to their teacher accounts and quickly can see which students read and how they responded to the articles.

Can it be used across the curriculum? Yes! Articles on math, science, social studies, art, social-emotional learning, and more are available. The program also has matched text sets with many books used in book studies. 

Why and how should I use it? ReadWorks allows students options when reading. Students can listen, read, or both. The site incorporates comprehension questions, writing, and differentiated articles. Students become independent readers because the program is simple to access, and students have the option to choose from a library of articles. It can be used as bell work, rotation, or homework. Students who prefer to read print material rather than digital have access to a printed copy of the passage and questions.

https://99math.com/

What is it? 99math is a math quiz game. Students can play a live match against each other or play a solo practice game. The program is a fun way for students to practice math skills.

Is it easy to use? Yes! It only takes a minute to sign up and set the game up. Teachers choose math skills based on general categories and can select the grade level, making differentiating easier. Teachers give students the code, and students join the live game. There are 3 rounds. Students get to see the highest ranking as well as the most improved. Teachers have access to the most common mistakes and how students did individually.

Is it practical? Yes! Students can practice math through assigned practice during math stations. Digital math games positively affect students by increasing engagement, motivation, and participation (Alkan & Korkmaz, 2021).

How much does it cost? It is free for teachers and students with a code. Parents can access the program for free also. A paid option for a math pass is $9.99 per month.

Is it user-friendly?  Yes! When using it in class as a live game, the teacher selects the content creating the game code. Students simply go to the website and enter the code. When assigning solo work, the teacher chooses what to work on and simply clicks to assign. Students log on and see the assignment. 

Can it be used across the curriculum?  Unfortunately, no. 99math is only for math.

Why and how should I use it? Students can practice math computation skills in a high-interest way. The grade level can be adjusted to decrease frustration. Students have the opportunity to work solo on their individual assignments or can work as a team for the competitive play.

https://www.getepic.com/

What is it? Students can access thousands of books, videos, and quizzes on Epic's digital platform. Students can choose audiobooks, picture books, read-aloud books, chapter books, reference books, etc.

Is it easy to use? Very! The teacher sets up a class and is assigned a class code. Students can be inputted through Google Classroom or manually. Students log on and input the code. They select their avatar and start reading.

Is it practical? Very! Classroom libraries can be expensive and hard to keep up with. Epic provides a digital library that they can access throughout the day. Students can use the site for independent reading minutes or to conduct research. Access to a digital library provides a diverse range of books, allowing more choice in student selection (Kucirkova, 2019).

How much does it cost? Epic is accessible to students and teachers during the school day. Parents can purchase access to Epic for $59.99 per year or $11.99 per month. 

Is it user-friendly?  Very! Students can quickly search for books using a search bar or Explore tool. Teachers can assign books to students individually, in groups, or as a class. The quizzes can be edited by the teacher to create new questions. The teacher can quickly look up books by Lexile and assign them to students.

Can it be used across the curriculum?  Yes! There are books on every subject, nonfiction, and fiction. Students can find books to use for research projects.

Why and how should I use it? Epic can be used anytime throughout the school day. Students can use it for research, independent reading time, or any time there is silent reading time. Students can choose the genre, method of reading, and purpose for reading. Choice and availability provide children with an active role in their reading. As a digital reading site, books cannot be lost or destroyed. Students do not lose their library privileges because of lost books and therefore have access all the time.

Alkan, S. çuk, & Korkmaz, E. (2021). Analysis of Digital Games Related to Mathematics Education with Deconstructing. World Journal of Education, 11(2), 46–55.

Kaefer, T., Neuman, S. B., & Pinkham, A. M. (2015, April 15). Pre-existing Background Knowledge Influences Socioeconomic Differences in Preschoolers' Word Learning and Comprehension. Reading Psychology, 36(3).

Kucirkova, N. (2019, December). Children’s Reading With Digital Books: Past Moving Quickly to the Future. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES, 13(4).