Week 5: Reading A-Z

 This week's post brings you another well known resource in the field of education and one that I use frequently. Reading a-z offers a plethora of resources. The website is easy to navigate and find what you need. They have leveled books as well as leveled benchmark passages with plenty of options to choose from. Their leveled system uses letters but easily compares to grade levels and other well-known leveled systems such as DRA and Fountas & Pinnel. As you drag your mouse across the letter system, the website displays these comparisons and clicking on a letter will bring up texts at that level. I have found that some Reading A-Z texts can be a little more difficult than what the listed level is but for the most part, the leveling system is accurate. Benchmark passages (which are shorter; 1-2 pages) have four options at each level while the leveled books have anywhere from about 80-100 books per level. 

                                                Pictured above: Benchmark Passages at Level K


What I find extremely useful is their sorting capabilities. You can sort between fiction, non-fiction, and a few other options (pictured below).


You can also find texts that are multi-leveled. Two or three texts have the same information, story, or plot but have adjusted words that stay within each students reading level. This makes differentiation a breeze. Along with multiple levels of the same text, there are several other resources paired with the text to support learning. 


I use the leveled benchmark passages the most as I have several students that I complete a running record with bi-weekly to monitor their progress. There are several other awesome resources as well (pictured below). I have used many of them and can say they are definitely worth checking out! 




One caveat is that Reading A-Z does require a membership. It's cost is $118 per year for one license. Your school may be willing to buy a subscription for you! Even if you are purchasing it on your own, it is definitely worth the money to have these resources at your fingertips!They have additional products such as Raz-Kids and Writing A-Z that can be added on to your subscription at an additional cost. 



Click Here to go to their website!









Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 10, 2021 at 5:44 AM

    Hi Evan,

    Your post gives a great overview of Reading A to Z! I use Reading A to Z in my classroom as well. I typically use the level texts, however you sparked my interest in using the benchmark passages. I also bi-weekly progress monitor my students and sometimes struggle to find passages at their level. I like how the passage are much shorter than the books so progress monitoring won't take up an entire session. Thanks for sharing! - Angela Zurales, Week 5

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