Get Students Started

Technology

Make sure you have the right tools.

• Internet connection broadband is best
• Current browser with Adobe Flash
• Headset with microphone (best, but alternatively, use a microphone and speakers)

In addition to a desktop or laptop computer, make sure students using Raz-Kids, Raz-Plus, Science A-Z, or Headsprout have the right tools to access the Kids A-Z app.

• Wifi connection
• Current app from your device's app store
• Built-in microphone and speakers

See our System Requirements FAQ or our Audio Recorder FAQ for more detailed information.

Student Placement

Check your Roster or Assignment pages in our easy-to-use Kids A-Z management hub to designate each student's developmental level.

You can use various assessments to help you determine where to start students. You can also use the previous year's performance or your instincts regarding students' performance to place them. This ensures that students can get started immediately.

Future data may reveal that you should adjust a student's placement.

Learning A-Z Placement Recommendations:

• Raz-Plus and Raz-Kids
  Assign and score a Benchmark Assessment to find a student's instructional or independent reading level in the Learning A-Z Text Leveling System.

Independent Practice Time

You can use classroom computers or the computer lab in your school to schedule independent practice time, or have students access the Kids A-Z learning environment from any computer with an Internet connection.

Recommendations for Student Practice and Pacing:

• Raz-Plus and Raz-Kids
  Provide independent reading practice in class for 15-20 minutes a day 3-4 times a week as a reasonable goal to set for your students. Students with Internet access outside of school should strive for even more independent reading practice. Students can practice using desktops, laptops, or our free Kids A-Z app for iOS or Android devices.

Send Home Information

Personalized Student Login Cards and a Letter to Parents found on the Roster page have all the log-in information that students and parents need.

Incentives & Awards

Turn on the Reading Room to motivate students with free-choice reading and turn on the Incentives that allow students to spend earned stars to personalize their Robot avatar and to purchase items for their Raz Rocket. You may disable the Reading Room, Raz Rocket, or Robot Builder for the class or an individual student if enough time is not being spent on assignments.

• Raz-Plus and Raz-Kids
  Give students access to the Reading Room to motivate them with a vast collection of books they can choose to read. Students earn stars for each book read and for each book-related quiz they pass.

Audio Recordings

Provide headsets for the best sound quality and to minimize disturbance and distraction resulting from students listening to books, responding to instructions, or from making recordings.

Types of headsets include:
Plug-in USB (recommended)
Plug-in mini-jack
Wireless

Our users report success with Logitech's ClearChat headsets.