Most of Xyza's short articles are at a middle school reading level, and they can be used to consistently engage reluctant readers on subjects that interest them, like science, technology, or sports. Since there's limited free access, teachers will likely want to use their own account to print articles out to share with their classes. Many Xyza stories end by posing a question; use these prompts as a starting point for an in-class discussion that helps gauge reading comprehension and helps students grapple with important issues. Students could also access Xyza on a classroom computer station, find something they find interesting, and then write and share weekly critical responses to news articles that interest them. As an extension, challenge students to find articles related to their Xyza articles from a curated set of trustworthy news sources. What new info do these related articles provide? Finally, teachers could lean into the fact that Xyza articles usually don't cite an author or a source. Talk with students about how they can determine the reliability of a story and how they can investigate online to learn more; check out our News and Media Literacy Toolkit for resources that can help.
Continue readingEditor's Note: Xyza News for Kids is no longer available.
Xyza News for Kids is a subscription-based website that features kid-appropriate news articles on a range of timely topics. Users create a free trial account (kids will need permission of a parent) and then select news topics they'd like to read (choices include science, technology, world, and government) and whether they would like to browse the website online or receive a snail mail or email newsletter. Kids can also become "Junior Reporters" after a 30-day free trial that features a limited number of daily articles. Subscriptions range from $15 to $50 annually or in three- or six-month intervals. While the site is tuned to parents and at-home use, teachers can create an account and then share the resources with their students.
Xyza's goals are admirable; it's important to encourage kids to get in the habit of reading about current events and issues, and it's convenient that kids can sign up for an email newsletter to get a more customized feed of news stories that match their interests. Purely as a reading platform, Xyza is an option teachers will want to consider, given the elegant design of the site and the wide range of interesting articles on offer. However, the articles and features of this site, while great for developing a passion for reading and news, aren't as great of a match for developing strong media literacy skills. There aren't classroom-specific resources like discussion guides (although there are some question prompts), lessons, or adjustable reading levels. Moreover, most articles don't feature an author or a source, so it's difficult to understand where these stories come from and who wrote them -- whether from Xyza staff, journalists, or even kids, since there's a Junior Reporter program. (This Junior Reporter program, however, could be useful for teachers looking for authentic writing opportunities for news-junky students.) Plus, while it's good to connect kids to stories that match their interests, teachers will want to emphasize that students shouldn't limit their reading and information intake only to things they already know and like.