How I Drive Instruction With Raz-Kids & An Ah-Mazing Giveaway!
I am soo excited to tell you about a great giveaway that I have the opportunity to offer you!!
This past week, I had the wonderful pleasure of talking to and “meeting” the product marketing manager of Raz-Kids from the Learning A-Z company. You all I know I *adore* Raz-Kids and I have been using it for about 5 years now with my students. You can read a little about how I use Raz-Kids in the classroom by clicking HERE.
If you’re not familiar with Raz-Kids, in a nutshell, it is a virtual library where your students can access hundreds of books that are on their guided reading level. It allows them to listen to the book, read the book on their own, and take a comprehension quiz on the book. In the meantime, they earn stars to build a virtual rocket as they read more and more books.
Lately, I’ve started to really take a look at all of the features “behind the scenes” in Raz-Kids. In a world of data, assessment, and data-driven instruction, anything that can give me information on my students’ progress is a huge perk in my eyes. I have my formal observation coming up and I’ve been taking a look at all of the ways I gather information about my students to drive my instruction. My students use Raz-Kids DAILY so I figured this was a very valuable source of data for me.
One of the neat features Raz-Kids has is the ability to look at many different reports about your students on the site. The one I am obsessed with right now is the skills report. After my students take quizzes on the independent books they read, it calculates percentages and breaks down each comprehension skill to give me a quick snapshot of which skills my students’ are mastering and which skills my students just “do not get.”
This weekend, I randomly looked at a skill report from three students, each in a different guided reading group.
Student A
Student B
Student C
Do you see the pattern? Some of their lowest skills fall in drawing conclusions and making inferences. Guess what I’m going to be teaching after Thanksgiving?! Yup. Inference and Drawing Conclusions.
And, it gets even better. Those were individual student reports from Raz-Kids. I can also pull up a whole class report of my students’ skills and see where their needs lie as a whole.
The data shows that drawing conclusions and making inferences is a skill that a majority of my class needs. (I found it interesting that 100% of my students are mastering genre and theme, and that prior knowledge is very high since that was a BIG portion of our first nine week assessments and instruction on our curriculum maps. Very cool to see! We are currently diving into main idea, recall, and summarizing in the second nine weeks so I expect to see those start to take off next.)
I’m going to sound like an infomercial in a minute. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! (Can you just hear my infomercial voice?!) 🙂 It also breaks down how your students are doing in each of the Common Core standards. I know. You’re jumping up and down right now. Don’t feel embarrassed…I did it too.
Pretty cool, huh? So that, my friends, is how I am using Raz-Kids as a piece of data to drive my reading instruction with my students. Any program that can lay out that kind of information for me quickly and effortlessly is one I adore.
Now…. I get to share some FUN with you!! The wonderful people at Learning A-Z have generously offered to give away two three month subscriptions to my Sugar and Spice followers! One lucky winner will receive a 3 month subscription to Raz-Kids and one lucky winner will receive a 3 month subscription to Reading A-Z (another fab resource that I’ll share with you soon!). I’m soo thankful to the wonderful people at Learning A-Z for allowing me to share these products with you!! 🙂
Enter the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway will end next Saturday at midnight (EST) on November 23rd. Good luck!!
Sending lots of prayers to the families of Oklahoma and the students at Plaza Towers Elementary School. Please give your little ones an extra hug tomorrow…
I love this site. I use Reading a-z everyday in my classroom. It has too many great resources to list here. Love this giveaway. Thank you for having it.
Ooooh! Thank you for the giveaway! I used to have RAZ, but our school can't afford it anymore. 🙁 I really need it this year, because a) I love their stories and non-fiction and b) I have an accelerated class of kids and there just isn't much for them to read that we have access to at school. Thank you for the chance!
I have been wanting to try Raz-Kids for a while now. I know my kiddos would love it and it would help with their reading comprehension. The ability to track their data would be fantastic. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
I didn't realize that their skill strengths/weaknesses could be tracked so easily! I would love to try it out. I think this could be very useful at my school! mrsjprince
I would love to use RazKids again. It is a great tool for individualizing instruction using great stories and articles that the kids are interested in. They are self motivated to improve their scores as they progress! I love it! kferretti@peachtreeacademy.com
I found the app a few weeks ago and have been debating, but I think it would be AMAZING for differentiating reading–I have such a diverse group of readers. This would be TERRIFIC!!! pcolagal1963@gmail.com
I would love to use Raz-Kids in my classroom! We have laptop carts that we can "reserve" and use in our classroom, and this would totally be beneficial for getting my students to the next level where they need to be. Our school is always looking for new ways to collect data on our students, and this would be one great way for us to do that. I would love to test it out and get my school to buy a subscription!
I teach a group of students with language processing deficits. I would use either of these products for fun comprehension lessons and leveld readers ….. and tracking the student's progress!
My students are reading 1 + years below grade level and I would love to use Raz Kids to check their progress and work on essential skills. I work at a Reading Renaissance school but due to their intensive reading placement my students are not permitted to participate in AR like their peers. This often has them feeling left out. I think the use of Raz Kids, and having their very own program, would make them feel special and give them the confidence they need.
I have also been using RAZ for about 5 years. The kids love it and I love being able to monitor their progress. I have not turned on the Rocket Room yet this year. I have found that once I do they really focus on the room. After the first of the year I will turn it on and it will be a 'Friday' extra activity. 🙂
I would love to use this in my classroom. I would love to see how it breaks down into the common core standards. That is exactly what my principal is looking for.
I use both of these programs in my classroom and have the kiddos using RAZ Kids at home. I had one student who was a reluctant reader but put her on the computer and she has moved a complete reading level. I love that you can track kids strengths and weakness so you can direct your instruction to their needs. Would so love to win this!!!!! In a private school funding for this type of "extra" is very limited!!
I am always on the lookout for daily computer resources that students can use on their own. I love the informational feedback that you get from this program. Thank you for your insightful blog post.
I had no idea I could break it down by Common Core standard! Thanks for this tip, Christina! Is this under reports? I have been looking around for it and am having trouble finding it! Thanks for this awesome review and for your help this. I learn new things every time I read your blog! 🙂
This sounds FANTASTIC! Has anyone used raz kids with 5th graders? The site says it goes up to 6th, but most of the A to Z resources are geared towards lower grades. Thanks for sharing 🙂 ~Kristen Chalk & Apples
I was just discussing Readinga-z and RAZ kids with a co-worker when I saw your post on facebook. I have a wide variety of readers in my room this year, however, I do not have a wide variety of materials to use during small group instruction. clbolding42@students.tntech.edu
This would be so great for all my kids but esp. my group of low babies! My principal bought usReading A to Z this year and I love it!! I was looking at Raz but just an not swing it on my own at the moment…
I've been bugging my media specialist to purchase this program for K-2 at my school. All of the surrounding area schools have purchased this program with their Title 1 funds, and after speaking with those teachers I know it's made a difference in their classrooms. I am hoping to use this program to gather more data during my small group time. I am currently only able to pull data from the time they are with me, but it would be nice to actually teach while they are with me and not always have to assess! 🙂 FINGERS CROSSED!
Our first and second graders already have a subscription to Raz-Kids, but I would LOVE one to Reading A-Z. I asked our principal at the beginning of the year and he said that he didn't believe it has enough authentic literature. I think he is a little loopy 🙂 I know it would be perfect for my guided reading groups, close reading, and writing prompts.
I would use Raz A-Z to make Take Home Packets for my class. As a new teacher I need something to get the parents involved. I also want the parents to be excited about what their child is learning.
I am a college student but I know this wonderful teacher who is struggling to get her kids interested and understand literacy this would help her a ton so if I won I'd give it to her.
I already have district access to Reading A – Z, but have never used Raz-Kids. I love how it tracks data. As a special education teacher that is so important. Thank you for the chance to win.
We just got our fall state test results back so one way I would use this is with those students who were so close but just didn't quite pass. Plus, I'm excited about anything that gives data!
I believe this is a resource that I could use with my RTI students. I would definitely research how to use this program for all my students. There are so many ideas going through my head. Thank-You starla.willis@yahoo.com
We love Reading A-Z, and the other grades have other data tracking programs, but K doesn't. This sounds like it would be wonderful for my wide range of ability little ones!
I would definitely use this as a way to give my kids more selection and opportunities to read! Of course the data would help drive my instruction as well since I could see what kids are struggling with and what they've already mastered. Eickejn@gmail.com
I would definitely use this as a way to give my kids more selection and opportunities to read! Of course the data would help drive my instruction as well since I could see what kids are struggling with and what they've already mastered. Eickejn@gmail.com
WOW! This an amazing prize! I love raz-kids and reading a to z… never thought to track the data this way! Thank you for such great ideas! 🙂
…andtheyallfalldown…
I love this site. I use Reading a-z everyday in my classroom. It has too many great resources to list here. Love this giveaway. Thank you for having it.
Ooooh! Thank you for the giveaway! I used to have RAZ, but our school can't afford it anymore. 🙁 I really need it this year, because a) I love their stories and non-fiction and b) I have an accelerated class of kids and there just isn't much for them to read that we have access to at school. Thank you for the chance!
I use A-Z books but have never entered data like that. Raz-Kids looks great.
I have been wanting to try Raz-Kids for a while now. I know my kiddos would love it and it would help with their reading comprehension. The ability to track their data would be fantastic. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
~Laura
luvarbon2@sbcglobal.net
Thanks for sharing.
I already have Reading A – Z and use it in my small groups! I would love to use Raz-Kids with my kiddos to see how well they are comprehending!
Christina 🙂
Apples, Books, and Crayons
applesbooksandcrayons@gmail.com
I would use it during Daily 5 and help to inform my instruction
I would love to use these in my classroom to help drive my instruction. Thanks for a great giveaway .
I use Raz-Kids currently but would LOVE the Reading A-Z Subscription! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I am in the middle of my 7 day free trial. Seeing the results posted above, I am considering purchasing this program. Thanks for sharing!
I didn't realize that their skill strengths/weaknesses could be tracked so easily! I would love to try it out. I think this could be very useful at my school!
mrsjprince
Awesome product and giveaway, Christina. I would use Raz Kids just as you are, to determine where my students weaknesses are and drive my instruction.
I would use this to drive instruction!
I have seen other teachers using this in the past and they love it. I may have to join them, would love a trial run 🙂
This is another amazing resource for using data to target the specific needs of your students. LOVE! Thank you, for sharing.
Hope
Teaching With Hope
I would love to use RazKids again. It is a great tool for individualizing instruction using great stories and articles that the kids are interested in. They are self motivated to improve their scores as they progress! I love it!
kferretti@peachtreeacademy.com
I found the app a few weeks ago and have been debating, but I think it would be AMAZING for differentiating reading–I have such a diverse group of readers. This would be TERRIFIC!!! pcolagal1963@gmail.com
I love to be able to use this again in my classroom. The students loved it! kathylu1@sbcglobal.net
Wow!
This would be great to see how my students are doing in each of the areas. I love how the reports break it down.
This is great that they have so many books at different reading levels. Great for differentiation!
Some of the teachers in my school use this, but I haven't had the opportunity, so I know it would benefit them.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
I would love to use Raz-Kids in my classroom! We have laptop carts that we can "reserve" and use in our classroom, and this would totally be beneficial for getting my students to the next level where they need to be. Our school is always looking for new ways to collect data on our students, and this would be one great way for us to do that. I would love to test it out and get my school to buy a subscription!
These are both really great programs. I would love to have either of them!
Patti 🙂
A Series of 3rd Grade Events
Our grade level uses Reading A-Z. I'd love to use RazKids to be able to collect the data you are gathering…done for me 🙂
tania
My Second Sense
I never knew I could track comprehension using Raz Kids! Love the post! Thanks for sharing!
I teach a group of students with language processing deficits. I would use either of these products for fun comprehension lessons and leveld readers ….. and tracking the student's progress!
My students are reading 1 + years below grade level and I would love to use Raz Kids to check their progress and work on essential skills. I work at a Reading Renaissance school but due to their intensive reading placement my students are not permitted to participate in AR like their peers. This often has them feeling left out. I think the use of Raz Kids, and having their very own program, would make them feel special and give them the confidence they need.
I have also been using RAZ for about 5 years. The kids love it and I love being able to monitor their progress. I have not turned on the Rocket Room yet this year. I have found that once I do they really focus on the room. After the first of the year I will turn it on and it will be a 'Friday' extra activity. 🙂
I would love to use this in my classroom. I would love to see how it breaks down into the common core standards. That is exactly what my principal is looking for.
I've never heard of this program. I would definitely LOVE to try it out!
Karen Rowland
Adventures With Firsties
karenrowland112677@yahoo.com
So good for the every kid. We should follow the diet according to this chart to our kids. It is very good for our kids.
Regards,
Hydraulic Installation Kits
I use both of these programs in my classroom and have the kiddos using RAZ Kids at home. I had one student who was a reluctant reader but put her on the computer and she has moved a complete reading level. I love that you can track kids strengths and weakness so you can direct your instruction to their needs. Would so love to win this!!!!! In a private school funding for this type of "extra" is very limited!!
I am always on the lookout for daily computer resources that students can use on their own. I love the informational feedback that you get from this program. Thank you for your insightful blog post.
I love raz-kids. I never thought of using the skills reports 🙂 Glad you showed me where to find them 🙂
delting01@yahoo.com
I use Raz-Kids and sometimes I wish there is a printable version of the books cos we don't have enough computers for the kids!
I would love to try out Raz-Kids because we are in desperate need of leveled readers at my school. This would help to meet their needs! :o)
I had no idea I could break it down by Common Core standard! Thanks for this tip, Christina! Is this under reports? I have been looking around for it and am having trouble finding it! Thanks for this awesome review and for your help this. I learn new things every time I read your blog! 🙂
Teacher at Heart
teacheratheart123@gmail.com
Yes it's under reports! 🙂 You can go down to the bottom of the screen and click Skills and then Common Core standards. 🙂
This sounds FANTASTIC! Has anyone used raz kids with 5th graders? The site says it goes up to 6th, but most of the A to Z resources are geared towards lower grades. Thanks for sharing 🙂
~Kristen
Chalk & Apples
This sounds absolutely AWESOME! What a great resource for gathering data to drive not only instruction but also developing IEP goals!
I was just discussing Readinga-z and RAZ kids with a co-worker when I saw your post on facebook. I have a wide variety of readers in my room this year, however, I do not have a wide variety of materials to use during small group instruction. clbolding42@students.tntech.edu
This would be so great for all my kids but esp. my group of low babies! My principal bought usReading A to Z this year and I love it!! I was looking at Raz but just an not swing it on my own at the moment…
This would be great I have 9 kids on RTI and I would love to be able to serve them according to their needs…Especially my ESE kids 🙂
I've been bugging my media specialist to purchase this program for K-2 at my school. All of the surrounding area schools have purchased this program with their Title 1 funds, and after speaking with those teachers I know it's made a difference in their classrooms. I am hoping to use this program to gather more data during my small group time. I am currently only able to pull data from the time they are with me, but it would be nice to actually teach while they are with me and not always have to assess! 🙂 FINGERS CROSSED!
Leigh
The Applicious Teacher
Our first and second graders already have a subscription to Raz-Kids, but I would LOVE one to Reading A-Z. I asked our principal at the beginning of the year and he said that he didn't believe it has enough authentic literature. I think he is a little loopy 🙂 I know it would be perfect for my guided reading groups, close reading, and writing prompts.
I would use Raz A-Z to make Take Home Packets for my class. As a new teacher I need something to get the parents involved. I also want the parents to be excited about what their child is learning.
I am a college student but I know this wonderful teacher who is struggling to get her kids interested and understand literacy this would help her a ton so if I won I'd give it to her.
I already have district access to Reading A – Z, but have never used Raz-Kids. I love how it tracks data. As a special education teacher that is so important. Thank you for the chance to win.
We just got our fall state test results back so one way I would use this is with those students who were so close but just didn't quite pass. Plus, I'm excited about anything that gives data!
I believe this is a resource that I could use with my RTI students. I would definitely research how to use this program for all my students. There are so many ideas going through my head. Thank-You
starla.willis@yahoo.com
We love Reading A-Z, and the other grades have other data tracking programs, but K doesn't. This sounds like it would be wonderful for my wide range of ability little ones!
This would be an AWESOME prize!!!! I would SOOOO use this!!
I would definitely use this as a way to give my kids more selection and opportunities to read! Of course the data would help drive my instruction as well since I could see what kids are struggling with and what they've already mastered. Eickejn@gmail.com
I would definitely use this as a way to give my kids more selection and opportunities to read! Of course the data would help drive my instruction as well since I could see what kids are struggling with and what they've already mastered. Eickejn@gmail.com
This would be amazing for my students! The data tracking is so beneficial and having a consistent program to use would be amazing! 🙂