Michelle's Blog: Class # 7

Video of the Night: Life on iPad

This video helps to really let us think about the wide world of possibilities that the i Pad has to offer.

Here is a Wordle I created containing all the reaction words we had as a class following the video:

Here is our class PollEV when asked "Share different ways you as a teacher can REPRESENT information to students to reach ALL learners."

READING Software & READING WEBSITES TREASURE HUNT:

Our task was to go on an online Scavenger Hunt in search of 5 Websites and 5 Software Products that offer Reading Remediation (aiding students to read).

Below are some examples of what Nicole & I found, what they have to offer and who would benefit from them, in other words, what reading difficulty is addressed.

Word Makerprovides phonics instruction through activities, including: matching, sorting, making and finding words, games, and progress tracking for teachers. This is sound, research-based practice, but with a price.

Into the Book is an interactive site for developing reading comprehension strategies. Users are not required to download software or create an account...all they have to do is choose "kids" on the main page, enter their name, and they are ready to learn and practice a variety of strategies on pieces of text on the site. The text can also be read aloud. Students who may need to widen their repertoire of comprehension strategies could benefit from using this site. Responding to some of the prompts may require support.

Click here to see a short overview video of Lexia

Lexia Reading Core5 provides personalized learning on foundational reading skills for students of all abilities in grades pre-K–5 and delivers norm-referenced performance data without interrupting the flow of instruction to administer a test.

Merit Software Solutions

Reading skills software can be a great tool to accomplish these tasks. Particularly if the programs offer students constructive feedback and provide teachers with measurable results. Merit Software reading skills programs were designed with these features in mind. Many teachers have reported that they have been effective in helping them teach critical reading in classroom and lab settings. Some of the programs they offer are: Intensive Reading Web Suite, Complete English Web Suite, English Basic Web Suite and focus on a variety of skills such as reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing all in a fun engaging format for a variety of learners.

Reading Horizons

Why Does it Work for Beginning Readers in Grades K-3?

What Reading Skills Are Addressed?

By including exercises, activities, and games that build phonics, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension skills, this time-tested, research-driven approach helps students master decoding skills and grow in every area needed for reading success.

Simon Sounds It Out is a package, which provides phonics, practice for students who have learning disabilities. It assists in children learning the alphabet, letters sounds and words. Children can practice and work independently, concentrating on upper and lower case characters and phonics.

Here is a Video that describes the Computer Assisted Technology "Simon Sounds it Out"

The BBC Schools website has many free games and activities linked to the main page of their site. Students of all different ages can access activities to reinforce reading skills. I really like the Magic Key and Bitesize Literacy links as these are fun, engaging and can be differentiated for a range of ability levels. Some of the activities, however, are not available outside of the UK and it can take several clicks to get to an activity.

This website is so kid appropriate because it's funny and so engaging..

you can also purchase the software, Earobics but this is the free online game area called Game Goo different levels so can be tailored to the student... letter sounds, poetry are part of the games covers a variety of skills...word sounds, sentence structure, following directions

phonetics, decoding skills and fun, so kids want to use it!

ABC Mouse

Starfall

Compensatory - "Strategies that provide alternate access to information"

Also introduced during Class #7 were:

i Book - Life on Earth - UDL Enhanced Textbooks that provide different settings to access tailored to all students →can read to students (text to speech), built in interactive dictionary simply by selecting the word, interactive images, zoom feature, note maker option with voice to text using SIRI, interactive quizzes, study guide & cards option in addition to pre-made study cards, study options are available → great for students with ADD, decoding, visible impairments.