News-2-You

Common Sense Media says

One-of-a kind tool uses symbols to make news accessible.

Age(i)

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Quality(i)

 

Learning(i)

(i)
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News-2-You gallery

What parents need to know

Ease of play

Very easy to use, especially for kids who are already using Proloquo2Go and who will recognize the symbols. Even for kids new to the symbols, the symbols are clear, and the voice recordings and kid-friendly topics create a very accessible newspaper experience. Options include different male and female voices, voice personalization (deep, normal, high), rate of speech, pronunciations, and speaking content by word or by complete sentence.

Violence & scariness
Not applicable
Sexy stuff
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

While the app is free, users have to purchase each newspaper edition for $1.99 or an annual subscription for $49.99. Some brand names and media titles are mentioned in articles.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable
Privacy & safety

The developer's Privacy Policy can be found on its website. The app's "administrator" (the parent or teacher who purchased the editions and helps kids use it) can lock certain editions so kids can only access specific editions.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that News-2-You is the app version of a symbols-based newspaper for kids with special needs. It includes the symbols system and voices used in the augmentative and alternative communication app Proloquo2Go. The app benefits kids who have difficulty reading the written word. Picture symbols and voice help kids hear and see text and visuals. There's a new edition for every week of the typical U.S. school year, and it covers current events topics like popular movies, sporting events, holidays, environmental issues, and more. The app is free but each newspaper edition is a $1.99 in-app purchase; an annual subscription is $49.99. Recent editions include main topics like "Endangered Animals," "Edible Schoolyard," and "Mario Brothers." In addition to the articles, you can find recipes, jokes, games, puzzles, related comprehension questions, and more.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Language & Reading

  • following directions
  • reading
  • reading comprehension
  • vocabulary

Social Studies

  • cultural understanding
  • events
  • geography

Hobbies

  • cooking
  • sports

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • solving puzzles

Engagement, Approach, Support

Engagement

The symbols system (the same one used in the augmentative and alternative communication app Proloquo2Go) helps make learning about news understandable and fun for most kids.

Learning Approach

As kids complete the extension activities and answer discussion questions, they gain cultural awareness and deepen their understanding in each topic. Kid-friendly topics help kids learn that current events can be interesting. 

Support

Great extension activities. Customizable voice settings help kids learn at their own pace, in their own way. The app succeeds in making news accessible and enjoyable for kids with learning differences.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Language & Reading

  • following directions
  • reading
  • reading comprehension
  • vocabulary

Social Studies

  • cultural understanding
  • events
  • geography

Hobbies

  • cooking
  • sports

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • solving puzzles

Kids can learn about kid-friendly topics relevant to current events, geography, animals, science, and social studies, as well as related to vocabulary. Kids can also explore the articles' topics from different angles with the extension activities on News-2-You, such as jokes, recipes, games, and more. Kids new to these symbols will also learn them, adding an element of learning how words and ideas are organized into a symbols system. News-2-You is a remarkable way to help kids expand literacy skills, learn about the world, and get involved in the topics with discussion questions and activities. 

This Learning Rating review was written by Dana Villamagna

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What's it about?

Choose one of the editions of News-2-You to download from the main list. The first page appears with symbols and words. Tap the headline and see words highlighted and underlined as they're spoken, or press the play tab at the bottom of the screen and the entire page plays automatically. Tap on the right arrow to move to the next page, and so on. A list icon connects users to all options in that edition (a recipe, joke, games, discussion questions, and more). Tap on one, and the app flips to that page. Accessible articles, great activities.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

News-2-You brings current events and other newsy tidbits to kids through an easy-to-understand system of symbols and voice recordings, which you can adjust to fit your kid's unique needs. Since many kids love categorizing and organizing, this symbols system provides structure and predictability to words and ideas presented in the news stories. News-2-You may seem pricey, but its content is substantial and fun. Extra extension activities like recipes, jokes (not always easy to explain in terms of symbols, but this app does it), games, discussion questions and more, elevate this weekly news app to a truly one-of-a-kind, accessible, useful resource for kids with special needs, kids who are struggling with reading, and for kids who may not like reading about current events but love symbol systems. Along with Proloquo2Go, it's a powerhouse combo that can help all kids learn about current events, develop comprehension skills, and express themselves.

Families can talk about...

  • Review the list of editions and start with one that is most aligned with your kid's current interest.

  • Encourage your kid to choose one of the extension activities related to the article, such as a recipe or discussion questions, and complete it with your kid.

  • Encourage kids to answer "WH" questions from the article they have read.

  • Have kids write 2-3 sentences about the story.

App details

Device:iPad
Price:Free (in-app purchases)
Pricing structure:Free, Free to Try
Release date:June 5, 2013
Category:Education
Size:240.00 MB
Publisher:AssistiveWare
Version:1.0
Minimum software requirements:iOS 5.1 or later

This review of News-2-You was written by

Dana Villamagna

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

Find out more

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