Subtext is an excellent resource that we have been using to boost comprehension. By downloading leveled books from Reading A-Z, we are able to insert questions for students to respond. These can be on the form of free response, multiple choice, or poll. Students can then view their group members posts only after answering.
We have found that this is a great way to support independent work during guided reading as you meet with a group. Students stay on task and engaged in their reading. It also allows them to think deeply about their text whether an adult is working with them or not.
One of the tricks to uploading a PDF into Subtext is to pull the PDF up on Safari and then use the Open With option to open with Subtext.
If you are looking for web articles, this is another great tool for reading. Web articles can be automatically downloaded from the web and then are presented in a clearer way for students to read. Unnecessary information like advertisements are removed. Reducing these distractions and making the font bigger in articles makes reading more accessible for all students.
One of my favorite features of Subtext is the ability to link websites and videos. Currently, a group is reading about the Voyager spacecrafts. They had questions about what it is like in space. Although they are reading about a spacecraft without astronauts on it, I wanted them to have a visual of what zero gravity is and how that affects astronauts. The students were blown away by what they saw: floating objects and even floating water! As one student said, "That was really amazing."