Reading+Supports

= // Reading Supports // =

= =


 * "In the early grades, the primary focus of schools is on reading instruction, on children 'learning to read', whereas it is said that in grades 4 and up, the focus shifts to children 'reading to learn'".** (Dell, 58)

//**Definitions:**// (Dell, 88)
 * Learning to read includes: "learning to identify letters and sounds, decode words, and glean meaning from printed text"**
 * Reading to learn includes: "relying on printed text to gain contextual understanding...improving comprehension"**

**5 Essential Areas of Reading Instruction**
 * 1.) Phonemic awareness **
 * 2.) Phonics**
 * 3.) Fluency**
 * 4.) Comprehension**
 * 5.) Vocabulary**


 * Possible Problems for Students with Disabilites **
 * **difficulty focusing on text**
 * **losing their place**
 * **having to reread same sections over**
 * **"some reading experts believe that decoding or 'phonological processing is the core deficit in dyslexia'"** (Dell, 60)

**Tools to Assist with Phonemic Awareness and Phonics**
 * The computer and iPad have a variety of options to guide students. These applications have the ability to present material visually as well as audibly to educate. **

Does it highlight patterns?
 * When selecting a reading application, consider:**
 * Does it provide multiple opportunities for practice?
 * Does it engage students through interactive activities?
 * Does it contain interesting displays that motivate?
 * Does it allow for customization?

Starfall is a completely free public service which was created as an "educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children" (Starfall.com) CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE OFFICIAL STARFALL WEBSITE!
 * SPOTLIGHT ON...... **
 * STARFALL: **

**Tools to Assist with Fluency** (Dell, 61-62)
 * Strategies from the //National Reading Panel Report://**
 * modeling fluent reading and then having students read aloud
 * providing students with opportunities for repeated oral racing with support and feedback
 * using audio recording
 * using peer readers
 * providing students opportunities to practice with a high degree of success

This application is geared towards students at the K-6 reading levels. It is an online guided reading program available on a computer or iPad. It has interactive and downloadable books, as well as reading quizzes. Raz-Kids contains over 190 books as well as poetry, songs, and nursery rhymes.
 * SPOTLIGHT ON...... **
 * RAZ-KIDS **


 * Raz-Kids overview video **

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE OFFICIAL RAZ-KIDS WEBSITE!

//** Tools to Assist with Vocabulary **// (Dell, 62-63)
 * "The most effective vocabulary instruction includes direct instruction on vocabulary items related to a specific text students will be reading" **
 * "however, they (commercial and freeware applications) do this in isolation rather than in relation to authentic reading reading task as recommended by the National Reading Panel" **

ClozePro v.2 is designed to create cloze activities. A cloze activity is a test to determine a students reading level, or the readability of any text. The student reads a text which is missing words, and is asked to replace the words. Traditionally cloze tests have either every fifth or tenth word missing. If needed, students can utilize a word bank but traditionally one is not used. Doing these activities supports the building of vocabulary.
 * SPOTLIGHT ON...... **
 * ClozePro v.2 **

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE OFFICIAL STARFALL WEBSITE!

//**Tools to Assist with Reading Comprehension**//
 * "The ability of the computer to manipulate text, read text aloud, provide a range of supports, and maintain records of performance is now being put to use in applications that model and explicitly teach strategies for reading comprehension" **


 * SPOTLIGHT ON...... **

**Thinking Reader**

With Thinking Reader, students can
 * "(1) listen to the story...
 * (2) read along with a visual display...
 * (3) observe on scene characters model reading comprehension strategies
 * (4) quickly access definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary, and
 * (5) practice using reading comprehension strategies"

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE OFFICIAL THINKING READER WEBSITE!

**//SOURCES://** //Clozepro software//. (2012). Retrieved from [] Dell, A. G., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2011). //Assistive technology in the classroom, enhancing the school experiences of// //students with disabilities//. (2 ed.). Pearson education, Inc

//Interactive ebooks for children//. (2012). Retrieved from []

//Starfall's learn to read//. (2012). Retrieved from []

//Thinking reader//. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?sku=THITHI