Using a Reading Toolkit within the classroom
•Who are these tools for? (e.g. age, learner)
The materials in a reading toolkit are for students who need more assistance with word sounds, pronunciation, word identification, reading comprehension, or general focus while reading. Many of the tools are helpful for early learners but will also strengthen skills of all reading levels.
•What are the common challenges these devices help to overcome?
The common challenges that new readers face are widespread. Staying focused can be difficult for learners that are easily distracted. Hearing sounds more clearly can be helpful for students with limited hearing or trouble with pronunciation. Direct instruction or streamlined information can be helpful for students needing to strengthen comprehension. Many of the tools include audio that allow readers quick access to words and sounds. In general, paying less attention to the sounds and details of the words frees up space for students to focus more directly on comprehension and increasing literacy skills.
•What tools are in the Reading Toolkit and what others are available and not displayed?
Tools in the kit include:
· Phonic Phones: Device that allows the words to be clearly heard by projecting the speakers voice directly into the speaker’s ear
· Saddleback Education Publishing Magazines: Topic based magazines with clearly organized information on each sub-topic relating to the main topic. The topics in the Think Green series are related to environmental subjects.
· Reading Helpers and/or The Lightwedge: Tools that allow students to focus directly on the line being read because it covers up other words or magnifies only the writing of the current line.
· Textbook holder: Cardboard structure that keeps the book steady and in front of reader without needing reader support.
· Word Wheels: Making phonics easier by focusing on the specific sound that two vowels produce when next to each other. (ie, oa, ai, etc.)
· Talking Pen: Used specifically with Hot Dot products to help students with vocabulary and concepts through flash cards, phonics cards, or reading comprehension cards.
· Quicktionary Reading Pen: An electronic pen that will read text to provide instant definitions or translations to allow readers to maintain their flow even when encountering unfamiliar words.
Other tools can be included based on individual or group needs within the classroom.Word banks are helpful for all learners for quick recognition of key vocabulary or high frequency words within a subject. Letter flips, audio books, self-evaluation tools, or any other resource that help students to increase their reading or literacy skills are also appropriate to include in a reading toolkit.
•What resources are available for more exploration of matching AT from the kit with student needs (e.g. resource lists from the GPAT site)?
According to the Georgia Department of Education, difficulty in reading can be due to tracking, visual perception problems, vocabulary deficits, or physical restrictions. The following list provides resources that are recommended for assistance with reading.
· Positioning Aids
· Page Turners
· Contract Aids
· Alternate Format Books
· Talking Word Processing Software
For a more comprehensive list and explanations of assistive technologies that are available for reading, please visit the following link to the resources provided by the Georgia Department of Education:
Specific software related to a Reading Toolkit:
Lexia Reading Software
This software is useful for primary levels learning and practicing to read, spell, or comprehend meanings of words. It provides individualized practice for students that aids in increasing literacy. The Lexia Software presents five different ways to practice. The five activities are called: Word Hunt, Sight Word Search, Word Stairs, Pirate Ship, and Group it. Through this interactive software, that includes audio, students practice various aspects of reading.
Word Hunt: Students fill in the missing words for a short story from a word bank that is provided. As the correct words are entered, a piece of the puzzle showing the picture appears. The reward is to build the entire picture and then read the story. Students are encouraged to read the complete story out loud or can choose to have it read to them.
Sight Word Search: Students become more familiar with three specific words, such as: goes, went, been. The words are show in a scrambled spelling that the student has to fix. When a word is fixed properly, one-eyed aliens begin to appear on the page. Once each word has been unscrambled correctly two times, the six aliens cheer and the student moves on to put the vocab words into complete sentences.
Word Stairs: Students are given several letters and a few vowel pairs and are asked to spell specific words that they hear. Each time the student spells the word correctly, the slinky moves up one step. After six words have been spelt, the student is rewarded by the slinky falling back down the stairs.
Pirate Ship: Students word to spell words that they hear by choosing the proper combination of vowels. For example, the students must choose from the following combinations, [oi, ay, ow] to spell specific words (coin, jay, throw etc.). The pirate throws coins into the treasure chest as the words are spelt and once the whole list is made, the student must identify the words from a list as they are read before a shark eats all the coins.
Group It: The student is given a list of words that they must categorize into two categories. For example, the words will be inside words (sink, desk, rug) or outside words (trail, tent, hose). Once all the words are in the proper location, a series of fireworks celebrate student success.
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