My students are from a very low income area with over 95% qualifying for free/reduced lunches. They came to me in fifth grade far below level in reading. As the reading teacher, I was looking for an activity that would interest them that also offered the opportunity for differentiation. I also wanted activities that would align to the Common Core and that would offer them enough practice passages that they would be more comfortable when state testing arrived. We had been using Achieve 3000, and the school still uses this program, but my students were much more excited when they learned that they could have more interesting passages, some short answer multiple choice questions, and even earn rewards through ScootPad. My students never asked to do Achieve 3000, but are always asking to do ScootPad. Their scores have gone up on their benchmark tests during the year, and I attribute that to the extra practice they received through ScootPad.

I allow them to use ScootPad spelling as morning work, and I try to include spelling sentences that they will relate to. At least twice a week, when my class has access to the portable computer cart, we work on ScootPad lessons for at least 30 minutes. Many of my students use this when waiting for after school tutoring to start, and we always begin tutoring with 10 minutes of ScootPad. The few that have computers at home often log on during the weekends as well. The feature I like the most is that I can choose what CC path I want them to follow, and I am able to choose a different learning level for students that need it. My students LOVE being able to use their coins to buy rewards and they enjoy the avatars and the class wall.

I have noticed lately that my students have often said "Oh, I had a question like that on ScootPad" when we have been reviewing for our state test! They have also been improving in vocabulary and overall reading skills.  It is wonderful to be able to assign the lessons and have them working in a specific area that they need to review as I move from student to student assisting as needed.  It is a great timesaver when I can have them reading and responding to informational passages and they can see immediate results.  Their scores have climbed this year on benchmark tests and I know ScootPad is a big part of the reason why! We LOVE ScootPad in our classroom!