Tuesday, December 27, 2022

IRA Newsletter Project: Effective Literacy Website #2 - by Pearl Hamada



            ReadWorks is an award-winning Ed-Tech Nonprofit Organization website (www.readworks.org) that is accessible for educators to access reading instructional tools, create an online literacy classroom through the ReadWorks platform, and improve reading comprehension skills through Scope and Sequence activities. ReadWorks collaborates with educators and learners to deliver quality tools and instruction based on current data and research. Their mission is to ensure that their website empathizes with students, listening to them and tracking student progress to make any needed changes to the website. 

An educator or parent can create an account on ReadWorks. The Teacher Guide section informs the user about ReadWorks and the “Pillars of Reading Comprehension.” ReadWorks believe students must build background knowledge, learn strategies for essential reading, and build their vocabulary to improve reading comprehension. Users can use ReadWork guides to ensure the online passages and activities are used effectively for student success. As a “Class Admin”, the user can create an online literacy class. The ReadWorks “Assignments and Progress” classroom platform contains four sections for reading: Assignments, Class Book of Knowledge, Reading Mindset Snapshot, and Student Progress. 

The Reading Mindset Snapshot survey collects information about individual student perception of reading and what topics interest them. This information is helpful to the user when choosing passages or books for their students, keeping their interest in learning. The educator or parent can search content for grades Kindergarten to 12th Grade. Reading passages or articles may include topics that integrate Social Studies, Science, or the Arts. Nonfictional, fictional, or poetry text can be found in the “Special Collection” section which include: Social & Emotional Learning, Holidays and Events, or Featured Partners. A Lexile level search bar can be used when searching for student text. These articles or passages can be collected and saved in the “Class Book of Knowledge” section. 

The “Assignments” section is divided into the following: Past Assignments, Current Assignments, and Future Assignments as website users can track or prepare literacy activities for their students. Examples of the online assignments include Open-Ended Question Sets on an article about “Sea Turtle Rescue”. Students can read about “Preparing for Natural Disasters” and complete an Article-A-Day Vocabulary activity. A user can review the Reading Mindset Snapshots for individual students as they choose passages that will encourage students to enjoy reading as well as show growth through targeted reading comprehension skills.

Student progress may be tracked as ReadWorks provides data on the following: Overall Reading, Reading Passages, Paired Text, and an Article-A-Day. Online activities are automatically scored as users can access differentiated support tools. The Article-A-Day tool provides text that help English Language Learners to develop their vocabulary and background knowledge. “StepReads” provides scaffolding in text for an emerging, beginner, or struggling reader in 2nd to 12th grade. E-books are available for all reading levels. Read-alouds may include audio and the option to highlight words. ReadWorks offers opportunities for their users to meet some of the illustrators of the online text. 

ReadWorks is a website that believes in providing easy-to-use technology for educators and parents to support reading comprehension for students of different socio-economic backgrounds. Their organization believes in providing up-to-date, quality reading tools. Their mission is to continuously improve their website through collaboration with the community, especially by listening to students to meet their literacy needs. 

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