IRA Newsletter Project Effective Literacy Websites #1: Raz-Plus

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Raz-Plus is a reading program designed for readers from kindergarten through fifth grade. It does require a paid subscription and is quite pricey ($216.00). It is intended for purchase by school districts and not individual teachers. This program can be accessed from home by the students on cell phone, iPad, tablet, or computer. Raz-Plus is one component of the Learning A-Z family of programs focused on literacy. It offers over 50,000 leveled books for students to explore. It also provides option to print or project books and materials for whole group, small group, or individual instruction. This feature sets this program apart. Being able to use the materials and resources through whole group instruction provides teachers with the flexibility to meet students where they are.

Each student added to your class is initially brought to their dashboard which depending on their reading level could be a space landscape where the students simply click on planets or for higher readers a more structured control board. Teachers have the option of assigning a placement test when they create their student list. The placement test is assigned by default, but this feature can be turned off and the teacher can determine the level of the students themselves. The placement test consists of short passages and several comprehension questions. Students do find the process tedious and will need encouragement to do their best. After completing the placement test students will be assigned a reading level from aa-Z. Their dashboards will include a “Level-Up” portal that they can open to find between fifteen to twenty books at their reading level. Each book offers star rewards for completing each task: listen, read, quiz.

Star rewards can be used to purchase accessories for their avatars, personalize their backgrounds, or build their rockets. Students also earn badges for their accomplishments such as “Listen Up!” for listening to one book a day for five days straight; or “Level Up!” for completing a reading level. Students are very proud of their accomplishments and enjoy earning and spending their star rewards.

Assessments include comprehension quizzes for each book and one of my favorite features, Running Records. Teachers assign the running record assessment in either passage or book form, whichever is appropriate. When students log in to their Raz-Plus account they cannot interact with any other feature until the running record assessment is completed. Students can complete the assessments independently as the prompts provided from the program are kid-friendly and easy to understand. Teachers have full control of the level each student is in and can change the level as they feel the need. This program offers reports on usage and progress as well as the student’s mastery of the Common Core Standards for literacy.

Raz-Plus has a lot to offer and it does take time to familiarize yourself with the features and resources as there are just so many versatile ways to use this program. Each year I discover something new and am excited to show my students.

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