4 Apps to Help Below-Level Reading

We round up the top apps to help students improve their reading.

In 2015, only 36 percent of fourth grade students performed at or above the proficient reading level in the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reading test.

In other words, 64 percent — or nearly two-thirds — of fourth grade students are not reading at the appropriate level for their age. Unfortunately, this score does not vary from 2013, which suggests that there are still changes and improvements required if our students are to have sufficient reading abilities.

Moreover, Arizona’s fourth grade students are performing below the national average with only 23 percent reading at or above proficiency.

We know we need to be doing more to improve our students’ reading abilities. There’s an app (or a million) for that! Below, take a look at some of our favorite reading apps for grade school students.

Comment below if you have any you would add to the list!

Reading Comprehension: Fable Edition

This reading comprehension app brings 10 of Aesop’s fables to life with a combination of reading and gameplay.

This blend of learning and fun will motivate your students to improve their reading. Plus, each story ends with a 10-question quiz, which helps with reading retention.

Not only does this app help with reading, but the use of Aesop’s fables will also help your students learn important ethical values. And don’t worry, if your students have too much fun reading, you can buy additional stories as in-app purchases.

Cost: $0.99
Additional Book Collections: $1.99/collection
Reading Level: Second to fourth grade

Jungle Journey Grades 4-5

Unlike Reading Comprehension: Fable Edition, this app looks and feels more like a traditional game.

In this game, players work their way through a jungle-themed game board. To accomplish this goal, they must correctly answer questions about sequencing and cause and effect relationships.

This app can be very useful since it allows up to six players, which enables more of your students to participate at once.

Cost: $4.99
Reading Level: Fourth and fifth grade

4th - 5th Grade Reading Comprehension Social Studies

Two subjects at once! Not only will your students be learning about social studies, but they will also be practicing their reading comprehension.

As they read about topics like making laws, the American Revolution, and the California gold rush, they will also learn new vocabulary and complete exercises that measure comprehension.

Cost: $2.99
Reading Level: Third to fifth grade

Reading Intro by Oz Phonics

Have a student who struggles with reading because of dyslexia? Thankfully, there is an app for that too.

Reading Intro by Oz Phonics is for younger readers, but it is also useful for students with dyslexia. If you find that it is too easy for a particular student, there are higher levels of difficulty for more skilled readers. In total, there are four different levels and you can buy them individually or as a bundle.

Cost for Reading Intro: $0.99
Cost for App Bundle: $7.99
Reading Level: N/A

These apps are just some of the ways to improve your students’ vocabulary and reading through technology. Learn more techniques at the Arizona K12 event Grow Vocabulary with Technology on Oct. 1.