Epic!

Christina Sablan Toves
ED638 Intercession 2017
Dr. M. Rivera
IRA Newsletter Project: Effective Literacy Website #2 

    Epic (www.getepic.com) is a virtual library where students can explore an abundance of books, from literature to expository texts. Geared towards children 12 and under, the website provides children the opportunity to have a resource hub for books in almost all the subjects you can possibly think of.
    In January of 2013, Epic began with a few friends realizing that kids spend a vast amount of their time on their tablets or computers, and much of that time is not spent on reading. They saw how easily accessible games could be for children on these devices and decided it was time to make reading just as convenient! Suren Marksman and Kevin Donahue, the founders of Epic, have opened a door of opportunity to many students who may not have access to books as well as teachers who need an abundance of resources when teaching children to read or integrating literacy into all the other subject areas. The website now holds 25,000 digital books, including read-to-me, audio books, and videos.
    One thing that makes Epic so great is it is completely free for elementary school teachers and librarians. To sign up, all you need is your school email address and you automatically get your free membership! There are many different ways teachers can utilize Epic in the classroom, from whole group reading to individualized profiles for each student. Teachers can assign students books into their profiles and can create tests at the end of each book they read. The books assigned can be based on the skill the teacher is currently working on, a student’s interests, or reading level. Epic also provides lexiles to help teachers as they search for books that will fit the level they are teaching or for individual students. Classroom codes can also be given to students to ensure that your account is being used by your students only.
    The website is easy to navigate and the colorful front makes it appealing to young children. The read to me option is great for beginning or struggling readers. Individualizing lessons for students has never been easier. Teachers can assign books to students, view their activity on the site, assign tests and assignments, and view the results. Teachers may also create tests for any book they choose on the website, or may use the ready made quizzes on the books that provide them.
    Epic is offered on both mobile devices and computers. It is a great resource to use during centers in the classroom because students will need little to no assistance when navigating the site. Teachers can also project books on their projectors to read to students or do whole class reading.
    One of the cons of the Epic education website is students are only allowed to access the books in the classroom or library. The free membership enables school setting access only. However, parents do have the option to buy a subscription and pay a $7.99 month fee.
    Overall, the website is an awesome resource for educators and students. Epic can give you access to stories you may never have had access to before. The creators kept their audience of young readers in mind when creating the website, making it fun and appealing for all ages to explore.