Apps for Reluctant Readers

Lee and I spent time scouring the app store and websites looking for quality apps that would appeal to older reluctant readers. We were stumped for a while, but eventually found a good mixture of apps that we think are beneficial to reluctant readers (and likely most of your secondary students). The apps you will see are a combination of supports for readers that foster independence in the reading process, games/activities that reinforce concepts, and apps that offer more variety, accessibility, and engagement to both age appropriate and reading level appropriate texts.

 

Merriam-Webster
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/merriam-webster-dictionary/id399452287?mt=8
This dictionary app that can act as a support for students while reading. When they come across an unfamiliar work, they can quickly look it up. This ap also has a daily category that features a word of the of day with a definition, example, and a fun “did you know” fact and background on the word. This part can be used to hook and challenge strong readers and strengthen their vocabulary. The app works for reluctant readers in junior regardless of reading level.

 
Parts of Speech
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/grammar-express-parts-speech/id368018817?mt=8
Students identify the different parts of speech in sentences. It is set in a quiz format and unlocks higher levels and the student progresses. This app would be beneficial for junior high English students who need a challenge. They can use this app to practice and develop their understanding of the different parts of speech (noun, adjective, pronoun, verb, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection) and increase fluency and comprehension.

 
Pic Collage

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/pic-collage/id448639966?mt=8


This app is one that all students can use to tell  a story through images in texts. It may motivate reluctant readers. Students can create a collage that represents the text that they just read to demonstrate comprehension or to assist solidifying concepts. This app lends itself nicely to all subject areas and across grade levels and encourages engagement in material. Students can take it a step further and make collages to use in their books they create using the app, book creator.

 
Book Creator
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/book-creator-free/id661166101?mt=8
Students can use this to demonstrate understanding and comprehension of texts they have read. They can recreate or highlight the important parts of the text to solidify concepts. This could also be used to create a vocabulary book. Students can create pages about the words from a specific text that they did not know to increase vocabulary. Students can define, include a picture and/or video of the word, and include a sound clip of them saying the word and/or using it in a sentence. This is beneficial not only to reluctant readers, but can be beneficial to fluent readers to demonstrate knowledge and use of reading strategies that active readers use (summarize, visualize, synthesize, question, predict, etc.)

 
Mad Libs
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/mad-libs/id326885152?mt=8
Just like the original Mad Libs, this app allows students to create a funny and unique story. They can choose the title and then are prompted to put in certain types of speech. This would be great for reluctant readers, especially those that say they do not like to read or those that never seem to like their book. They can also try the same story again if they want and use different words. They will love rereading and making the silly story, which secretly encourages reading and increases fluency.

 
Reading Machine
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id368974482?mt=8

This app is a tool for struggling readers. At the junior high level they can use this independently while reading. It has an extensive database of words that students can tap into. When they come across a word they do not know, they can type it into this app and it will not only tell the student what it means, but it shows them how the letters and sounds go together.

iBooks
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8
Perfect for use in a junior high English class (especially used in conjunction with google drive). With easy students can have text read to them, unknown words pronounced and defined, highlight, and input notes directly into the text, all without leaving the app or screen. This is ideal for students who struggle or are reading below grade level so they do not stand out with a "childish" book. It also gives them the opportunity to engage in the same texts as their classmates if they use the speak feature.

 

Newsstand (Free and usually already preloaded on apple devices)
This app is great for the nonfiction readers in your class. Students can stay up to date with current events (global and local issues, arts, sports, technology, etc.). You can download the papers that interest you and your students or have students find a paper or subscription that they are interested in. It encourages reading for knowledge. Students can use this app on their on device or on a classroom iPad during silent reading. It motivates students, and just as ibooks, it has the option to use the “speak” or “define” feature right in the app to help with comprehension and foster independence.


National Geographic
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/national-geographic-magazine/id418671597?mt=8
This app will engage reluctant readers through images and text. This is another great app for students that enjoy nonfiction. The visual supports assist in comprehension and synthesizing the information and storing it in their memory. This is a great option for all students to use, and can be used as across subject areas. 







1000 Weird Facts
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/weird-facts-1000/id383552199?mt=8
This fun app encourages reluctant readers with short random facts. This is an option for students to ease them into the reading process. The short weird facts are not only engaging, but they are brief as to not overwhelm the reader and is more manageable to comprehend and access the information. It encourages independent reading and is a great choice or starting place for those reluctant readers for silent reading time. 


CBC Hockey
Hockey news as it happens. Students can read articles, follow players, analyze statistics, and view scores using this all Canadian app. In this country if you don't know your hockey news you can miss out on a lot of conversations. This app is highly engaging for students—it may not meet any outcomes, but it will get them reading (and more importantly loving reading). Students can also access the text by using the “speak” accessibility feature.

Google Drive
Google Drive is on online storage drive that you can use to store files, pictures, video, or documents.This app is very useful as a way for teachers, schools, or school boards to share resources. Once resources are digitized, they instantly become more accessible to all students. Google Drive is a way for teachers to share those resources with their students and each other.

Tools4Students and Tools4Students2
Price: $0.99 each
Ready made graphic organizers that students can use to organize their learning.
Many students have a hard time remembering and synthesizing what they read. Tools4Students is a great way for them to organize their thoughts and to keep a record of what they are reading. Can also be used as an assessment tool by teachers.


Gutenberg Pro

This app gives readers FREE access to over 40,000 books and more than 6,000 human-read audiobooks (some students like this feature better than Siri reading to them).
Especially at the secondary level, students are expected to learn massive amounts of content. Often they are expected to read novels for various classes and the Gutenberg project gives students free, digital access to some of the materials that schools (and universities) use. This is an app that learners can use throughout their life.


Sporting News

A customizable sports magazine that allows students to read about their favourite teams, leagues, and up to date sporting news. The magazine is fully customizable and has a visually stimulating layout. Often, trying to get boys to read can be a challenge. Usually this is because they do not see the purpose of reading something that they are not interested in. A lot of boys LOVE reading about sports—I am convinced that they would do it all day if they could! Sporting News gives students (and not just boys) access to interesting and current sports news, scores, and statistics. The app is also accessible because you can use the “speak” accessibility feature.

Marvel Comics
Price: Free (but you can pay for extra comics)
This app gives students access to high-interest reading materials. Marvel characters are incredibly popular right now and this app gives students the opportunity to read about these characters in the way that they were originally intended to be viewed—as comic books! Some students who have no interest in reading traditional novels may come across as being weak readers. In reality, we just need to find content that engages them. Graphic novels and comic books are usually high interest and visually stimulating.


Duolingo
When I think of reluctant readers, I actually think of a group that is usually forgotten; I would use this app with my International students. The program is fun, easy, and very visual. Categories and vocabulary are current and can help with the academics in school as well.


SwipeSpeare
Modern Shakespeare
Price: Romeo and Juliet is free, but you can purchase other plays.
This app allows you to read Shakespeare as he wrote it, but gives readers easy access to a modern translation with the swipe of a finger. There is also a built in Shakespeare dictionary, biography, study guides, and lesson plans. Romeo and Juliet is free, but other plays are available for purchase. One of the most feared English units is always Shakespeare. However, using some of the technology that we have available to us can actually make it fun and easy to understand. In addition to “Shakespeare in Bits” I really like this app. Students can read the play in either the original version or the modern version or both. This app also uses the “speak” accessibility feature which will help all students access the text.

  
ITunesU and IBooks

These two apps allows students to access digital content. Digital books are more engaging and accessible than the traditional paper print. Although I am sure that everyone knows about these apps, their power may not be fully understood. Students can gain access to millions of high interest novels, graphic novels (such as the super popular “Walking Dead” series), textbooks, magazines, etc. through these apps. itunesU is also a great resource for finding enrichment materials that are engaging for students. Once materials are accessed through ItunesU or Ibooks, students can access the materials by using the various accessibility options available through the Ipad.

 
Science360

An app created by the National Science Foundation provides viewers with easy access to articles, news stories, videos, and various content about engaging science topics. For any student who is interested in Science, this app is heaven. It has a highly engaging interface and amazing content. There are thousands of videos and you can use the “speak” accessibility feature. There are links to current and interesting science stories all over the world. It almost acts as a interactive textbook for students!


News360

This personalized news filter allows its readers to personalize the content that it gathers from all around the internet. This is the ultimate way to gather content that students want to read. Students choose categories that suit their interests and the app organizes the content in an easy to view format. Students can share stories or save them to read later. This app also uses the “speak” accessibility feature.