RAZ Kids

RAZ Kids

Created by: Reading A-Z

Raz-Kids is a website, as well as an application available on all iOS and Android devices. RAZ-Kids provides texts spanning over 29 levels of reading, in both fiction and nonfiction texts. The texts address different literary concepts, content area subjects, and prompt comprehensive responses. Within their account, students are prompted to read, listen to, or record themselves reading, and each text is followed by a comprehension quiz. The students are able to "Level Up" and earn stars for their work, so it is visually and motivationally engaging. 

For Students

RAZ-Kids is designed in an outer space theme where students can create and build their own robot. This automatically engages and excites the student to earn more stars so that they can personalize their robot. If their teacher already inputs their reading level, the student will be able to have full access to the book room, labeled by the yellow planet, where they will be exposed to books on, below, and above their reading level. To build fluency, RAZ will first read the text out loud so that the student is able to learn unknown words, and build familiarity with the text. It will also model reading fluency. Following the "listen", students will have the option to read and record their books at their own pace. This will allow them to practice and apply their learned reading skills, as well as demonstrate the fluency they have experienced. Each book also includes interactive reading tools, such as a highlighter or a space to make notes. When they take the quiz after having exposure to the text at least three times, they will be able to show their understanding of the text. Each quiz is linked to a Common Core Standard, as well as a comprehension skill to report to the teacher areas in which the student may need more support. If the blue plant is present, it means that the teacher has assigned the student either a reading, or an assessment, which can be teacher-created, or a running record. By having it's own planet, this makes the assignment clear and simple for students to locate. As students read more books, they will earn stars and progress towards their next level, which motivates students to remain engaged and continue reading. By allowing a wide text selection, students love this program because it gives them many different options, and they can choose texts that interest them. Within the article, Selecting Appealing and Appropriate Books, authors Cahill and McGill-Franzen state that online reading programs are effective for English as a Second Language learners. This is especially true for RAZ-Kids because there is an option where students can read a text in their native language, and then transition with that same text into English. 

For Teachers

For teachers, RAZ-Kids provides great tools for monitoring, assigning, and assessing students. Teachers are able to input their class data, as well as reading levels for each student. They can create "kid-friendly" log-ins, where the password can be in symbols for students still developing their reading and typing skills. Teachers have easy access to reports and student data that is easily organized in a way that teachers can gather data. The reports consist of time logged, texts read, concepts that the students struggle most with and succeed most in, as well as level progression. Teachers can also assign texts for students to read, as well as assessments such as running records. Teachers are also able to create and assign their own assessments to students. 

Response

Raz-Kids creates an effective tool for both teachers and students. It has multiple features that support student needs, and grow literacy growth. Through the consistent monitoring of "just right" and "level up" texts, students are pushed in their reading without feeling frustrated. There is a store where students can accessorize their robot, however, if it becomes too distracting, a teacher can deactivate a student's access to the store. Within reports, teachers can see the amount of time each student spends in the store, in order to maintain quality reading time. Since it is an ever-changing source, there are new texts being added frequently ranging a wide variety of concepts, as well as cultures. The students are encouraged to learn from illustrations, so the illustrations within the texts are detailed enough in a way that is not distracting.