Language Arts- Read Me Stories Review

Read Me Stories is an application that reads through stories for children who are learning how to read. Students can choose between having the story read to them or they can read it themselves. Within the application users can buy series of books or they can preview one free book from each set. The sets are continuous, so users will probably want to buy the sets. These books are interactive, after reading the text on the page users can click on certain characters and speech bubbles will appear sharing the character's personal thoughts. Within this application the stories are about different animals and their adventures. The language in this book is good for beginning readers. It is also good to follow along with, because as the application is reading the words the word being said is highlighted.

I would use this application in a lower elementary level classroom. I think that it is a good tool to use for readers who are beginning readers. These books are interesting and can be used for students to listen to and follow along with independently. I think that students would enjoy getting to click on the different characters as they are reading, because it is something different than reading a paper book. Students should be exposed to books in many different ways, and this application allows them to see that books and reading can be done using ipads or tablets.

The biggest downside to this application is that it could become pricey. In order to have a complete set of books teachers would have to buy the sets. One set would not be a lot of money, but after getting several sets the cost would add up. Paper books cost money as well, so teachers just have to decide what if they want to have a lot of digital books as well. Digital books such as ones in this application are useful, because they provide a different type of interaction. They allow students to be read to individually, which might be good during a centers time. While the teacher is working with a smaller group other students could listen to a digital book on an application such as Read Me Stories.