Reading A-Z

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Second Grade Teachers Chatboard

Reading A-Z

by Charliethecow

Jun 16, 2012

I am a Kindergarten teaching jumping up to 2nd grade.I taught 2nd grade from 1988-1990, so I know things are very different. I have been teaching K for the last 10 years, and I find I use many of the same methods/concepts I used when I taught 2nd grade. I do use Reading A-Z, but I only use Levels aa and A and then move on to Rigby books. I don't think the books are leveled very well, so I use the Rigby books since they match the DRA2 text levels. We have a book room filled with books, but I'm thinking I should use a variety of reading material. Do you use Reading A-Z with your students? Can you give me some advice on your perspective of the levels so I can begin downloading and printing books? Thanks!

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kathyb2ndia retired I was at my last assignment - 2nd Grade for 8 years and loved every minute of it. My school used Accelerated Reader, but I had many books that weren't in the tons of purchased comprehension tests. Therefore, when the three of us started using Reading A-Z it was a lifesaver!

The Benchmark books were very useful, even endorsed by the school ...See MoreI was at my last assignment - 2nd Grade for 8 years and loved every minute of it. My school used Accelerated Reader, but I had many books that weren't in the tons of purchased comprehension tests. Therefore, when the three of us started using Reading A-Z it was a lifesaver!

The Benchmark books were very useful, even endorsed by the school district, until they got enough money to purchase Fontas-Pennil (sp). Reading A-Z Benchmark books are much easier to use than F-P. I purchased CHEAP orange two pocket, three prong folders and ran off what I needed with the nonfiction booklets in one pocket and the fiction booklets in the other pocket. The prongs were set up for personal use, so I could keep track of my students in my class. I set the pockets on their side and put in a convenient tub for easy access. I marked the levels, so I could quickly thumb through to find what I wanted.

So, I used leveled running records for partner reading. I ran off several copies, backed on same colored cardstock and laminated it. I didn't actually use it as running records, as my Title I Reading teacher did the same with other materials. I just needed same leveled reading materials. Reading A-Z was a big help.

REading A-Z also has test questions that you can run off. Reading A-Z also has teaching lessons for many of their booklets. Reading A-Z also has Common Core listings of the standard, then what booklets in their series that teaching to that Common Core standard by level.

We didn't really get into Writing A-Z, nor Raz Kids. Our district had other materials for us to use.

We ran off several books that were multi-leveled with the same topic.

I think you will be happy with Reading A-Z.

On 6/16/12, Charliethecow wrote: > I am a Kindergarten teaching jumping up to 2nd grade.I > taught 2nd grade from 1988-1990, so I know things are very > different. I have been teaching K for the last 10 years, > and I find I use many of the same methods/concepts I used > when I taught 2nd grade. I do use Reading A-Z, but I only > use Levels aa and A and then move on to Rigby books. I > don't think the books are leveled very well, so I use the > Rigby books since they match the DRA2 text levels. We have > a book room filled with books, but I'm thinking I should > use a variety of reading material. > Do you use Reading A-Z with your students? Can you give me > some advice on your perspective of the levels so I can > begin downloading and printing books? Thanks!

Jun 27, 2012

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Charliethecow I have used Reading A-Z with my Kindergarteners, and the PTA has provided an account for me. My principal isn't thrilled with it, and the word on the street is she is going to cut it. I am thinking I need to print like mad before my access is cut. I have copied everything from aa-B; my kids used Rigby books after B since the K team had leveled read...See MoreI have used Reading A-Z with my Kindergarteners, and the PTA has provided an account for me. My principal isn't thrilled with it, and the word on the street is she is going to cut it. I am thinking I need to print like mad before my access is cut. I have copied everything from aa-B; my kids used Rigby books after B since the K team had leveled readers. The 2nd grade team has nothing. Our new principal is buying Math materials, but I assume everything else is up to me. If I read your response correctly, you are recommending F-P for 2nd grade.

On 6/27/12, kathyb2ndia retired wrote: > I was at my last assignment - 2nd Grade for 8 years and loved > every minute of it. My school used Accelerated Reader, but I > had many books that weren't in the tons of purchased > comprehension tests. Therefore, when the three of us started > using Reading A-Z it was a lifesaver! > > The Benchmark books were very useful, even endorsed by the > school district, until they got enough money to purchase > Fontas-Pennil (sp). Reading A-Z Benchmark books are much > easier to use than F-P. I purchased CHEAP orange two pocket, > three prong folders and ran off what I needed with the > nonfiction booklets in one pocket and the fiction booklets in > the other pocket. The prongs were set up for personal use, so > I could keep track of my students in my class. I set the > pockets on their side and put in a convenient tub for easy > access. I marked the levels, so I could quickly thumb through > to find what I wanted. > > So, I used leveled running records for partner reading. I ran > off several copies, backed on same colored cardstock and > laminated it. I didn't actually use it as running records, as > my Title I Reading teacher did the same with other materials. > I just needed same leveled reading materials. Reading A-Z was > a big help. > > REading A-Z also has test questions that you can run off. > Reading A-Z also has teaching lessons for many of their > booklets. > Reading A-Z also has Common Core listings of the standard, > then what booklets in their series that teaching to that > Common Core standard by level. > > We didn't really get into Writing A-Z, nor Raz Kids. Our > district had other materials for us to use. > > We ran off several books that were multi-leveled with the same > topic. > > I think you will be happy with Reading A-Z. > > On 6/16/12, Charliethecow wrote: >> I am a Kindergarten teaching jumping up to 2nd grade.I >> taught 2nd grade from 1988-1990, so I know things are very >> different. I have been teaching K for the last 10 years, >> and I find I use many of the same methods/concepts I used >> when I taught 2nd grade. I do use Reading A-Z, but I only >> use Levels aa and A and then move on to Rigby books. I >> don't think the books are leveled very well, so I use the >> Rigby books since they match the DRA2 text levels. We have >> a book room filled with books, but I'm thinking I should >> use a variety of reading material. >> Do you use Reading A-Z with your students? Can you give me >> some advice on your perspective of the levels so I can >> begin downloading and printing books? Thanks!

Jun 28, 2012

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John Jorgenson My name is John Jorgenson and I work at Learning A-Z. I just wanted to clarify that Reading A-Z (a product of ours) uses a comprehensive leveling software to level our books. This robust software looks at over a dozen attributes that contribute to text difficulty (unlike most leveling systems that look at only vocab and sentence length). To learn m...See More

Jun 29, 2012

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kathyb2ndia retired It was not a choice to change from Reading A-Z Benchmarks to Fontas- Pinnell Benchmark Assessments.

Originally, the district paid for Reading A-Z Benchmark membership, as well as, provided training, compiling and actually gave us subs, so we could learn to use it with Reading First funds. We were already using Reading A-Z Benchmark booklet...See MoreIt was not a choice to change from Reading A-Z Benchmarks to Fontas- Pinnell Benchmark Assessments.

Originally, the district paid for Reading A-Z Benchmark membership, as well as, provided training, compiling and actually gave us subs, so we could learn to use it with Reading First funds. We were already using Reading A-Z Benchmark booklets, so we were thrilled. However, after using Reading A-Z for two years, then the district purchased the F-P Benchmark Assessment Kits and provided training and provided subs for testing. That quickly ended. We were required to use the F-P kit, but no more subs to help figure out when you are going to give these benchmarks tests, which are involved a great more with little or no difference in results. I felt the Reading A-Z gave just as good results, easier to use and teacher-student friendly.

F-P is expensive.

Of course, I sure don't miss this part of the teaching world. I am very bored with retirement, but my legs made is necessary for me to start taking care of myself and retire. I hate missing school and writing SUB Plans, so teaching and getting help for my legs at the same time was not possible for me. Last year I volunteered some, but only in math. We had a new math program for our district with big changes (Everyday Math). Students were afraid of the vocabulary change and thought they couldn't do it. So, I worked with them until they could see that they could do it. Big rewards to my personal feelings about retirement. We have a foster Grandparent program, but most won't work on math, but are great listeners with any reading level.

On 6/28/12, Charliethecow wrote: > I have used Reading A-Z with my Kindergarteners, and the PTA has > provided an account for me. My principal isn't thrilled with it, > and the word on the street is she is going to cut it. I am > thinking I need to print like mad before my access is cut. I have > copied everything from aa-B; my kids used Rigby books after B > since the K team had leveled readers. > The 2nd grade team has nothing. Our new principal is buying Math > materials, but I assume everything else is up to me. > If I read your response correctly, you are recommending F-P for > 2nd grade. > > On 6/27/12, kathyb2ndia retired wrote: >> I was at my last assignment - 2nd Grade for 8 years and loved >> every minute of it. My school used Accelerated Reader, but I >> had many books that weren't in the tons of purchased >> comprehension tests. Therefore, when the three of us started >> using Reading A-Z it was a lifesaver! >> >> The Benchmark books were very useful, even endorsed by the >> school district, until they got enough money to purchase >> Fontas-Pennil (sp). Reading A-Z Benchmark books are much >> easier to use than F-P. I purchased CHEAP orange two pocket, >> three prong folders and ran off what I needed with the >> nonfiction booklets in one pocket and the fiction booklets in >> the other pocket. The prongs were set up for personal use, so >> I could keep track of my students in my class. I set the >> pockets on their side and put in a convenient tub for easy >> access. I marked the levels, so I could quickly thumb through >> to find what I wanted. >> >> So, I used leveled running records for partner reading. I ran >> off several copies, backed on same colored cardstock and >> laminated it. I didn't actually use it as running records, as >> my Title I Reading teacher did the same with other materials. >> I just needed same leveled reading materials. Reading A-Z was >> a big help. >> >> REading A-Z also has test questions that you can run off. >> Reading A-Z also has teaching lessons for many of their >> booklets. >> Reading A-Z also has Common Core listings of the standard, >> then what booklets in their series that teaching to that >> Common Core standard by level. >> >> We didn't really get into Writing A-Z, nor Raz Kids. Our >> district had other materials for us to use. >> >> We ran off several books that were multi-leveled with the same >> topic. >> >> I think you will be happy with Reading A-Z. >> >> On 6/16/12, Charliethecow wrote: >>> I am a Kindergarten teaching jumping up to 2nd grade.I >>> taught 2nd grade from 1988-1990, so I know things are very >>> different. I have been teaching K for the last 10 years, >>> and I find I use many of the same methods/concepts I used >>> when I taught 2nd grade. I do use Reading A-Z, but I only >>> use Levels aa and A and then move on to Rigby books. I >>> don't think the books are leveled very well, so I use the >>> Rigby books since they match the DRA2 text levels. We have >>> a book room filled with books, but I'm thinking I should >>> use a variety of reading material. >>> Do you use Reading A-Z with your students? Can you give me >>> some advice on your perspective of the levels so I can >>> begin downloading and printing books? Thanks!

Jul 3, 2012

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kathyb2ndia retired John, thank you for explaining why I, as a teacher, was so comfortable with using Reading A-Z program. It is teacher- student friendly with results in the leveled readers that were best for our students. Yes, Reading A-Z has a membership fee, but nothing like what other programs cost with much more uses in addition to the benchmark testing aspect. ...See More

Jul 3, 2012

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