Reading+Strategies

Reading Strategies The National Reading Panel (NRP) reviewed over 100,000 research studies and published a report in 2000 on the effective components of reading programs. This report can be downloaded from the NRP web site. The 5 research based components that the National Reading Panel determined to be important in teaching of reading are phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension.

In Texas for many years the Texas Reading Initiative has supported scientifically-based reading instruction and systematic professional development for teachers. Materials developed for the Texas Teacher Academies and the Struggling Reader Institutes were developed by the University of Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts. You can access their professional development materials at the Vaughn Gross Center.

When looking at students with emotional and behavioral problems, one of the first curricular areas of concern tends to be reading. This is especially true with older students. We have seen middle school and high school students who would rather spend the day in the office, in in-school suspension or at home rather than have to demonstrate before their peers that they cannot read. Consider and identify reading strategies that will assist struggling students for all 5 areas of reading. The tools and strategies in this section will enable you to locate available technology resources that will assist struggling readers **before** they can act out in class.

No Tech Tools and Strategies

 * **Accommodate presentation format**
 * break large reading assignment into smaller chunks
 * remove unnecessary illustrations OR add illustrations to support reading
 * ensure handwriting or font are crisp and easy to read
 * look at allowable accommodations for the TAKS tests. You can download the accommodations manual from the TEA website by clicking here. Right click on the link and save to your desktop.
 * **Allow time**for practice
 * Present the student with his or her reading selection or question to be answered and allow time to practice before asking the student to read aloud
 * Teach **metacognitive strategies** - metacognition is defined as "Enhancing (a) metacognitive awareness of what one believes and how one knows and (b) metastrategic control in application of the strategies that process new information." This awareness is developmental and lies on a continuum. Proficient readers use one or more metacognitive strategies to comprehend text, understand sounds and how they can be manipulated within words and learn new vocabulary.
 * **Minimize distractions** - environmental sounds, movements, and even visual displays on bulletin boards can often distract a student with emotional and behavioral disorders to the point that he or she cannot focus on reading.
 * Account for **sensory issues** - see the section on **Sensory Input** in the wiki "ATConsiderations AUSpectrum"

Lite Tech Tools and Strategies
>> paragraphs can be color coded to relate to specific study questions (e.g., orange for number 1, green for number 2, etc.).
 * Removable **highlighter tape**
 * highlight key words or sentences pertaining to a reading comprehension question in the text
 * different colors of highlighter tape can be used to encode different significant concepts (e.g., red to mark dates, yellow to mark people, etc.)
 * different parts of speech can be highlighted with different colors (e.g., yellow for nouns, green for verbs)
 * Removable **adhesive** **notes and flags**
 * indicate a section in text that you want students to concentrate on [[image:109682866676326500.jpg width="93" height="62" align="right"]]when reading for understanding or studying for quiz or exam
 * used for vocabulary support with definitions, parts of speech, rimes, etc.
 * come in a variety of sizes, colors and formats (i.e., lined, index card-sized, to-do lists, etc.)
 * many companies offer a restickable glue stick that allows you to use any paper as a sticky note!
 * 3M Post-Its
 * Averyhas Note Tabs that are transparent and repositionable to highlight greater amounts of text in books. They also carry Hefty tabs that can be used a page markers for quick access to information and vocabulary supports
 * **Transparent color overlays**
 * Some students experience a significant improvement in their reading when the standard white background is changed to a contrasting color. Experts in the field recommend trying different colors to see what the impact is on reading.
 * The folks at Irlen started with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome
 * Onion Mountain Technologyhas several articles to help you make decisions on the use of color overlays. Scroll down the page. (PS. They also sell 'em.)
 * Don Johnstonhas an article called "Using Colors" that provides great information, too.
 * **Reading guides -**help students to maintain their visual place in a line of text
 * use index cards, sticky notes, rules
 * make your own reading guides and colored overlays with this [[file:atconsiderations-behavior/rdg guides template.doc|rdg guides template.doc]].
 * **Change the readability**of text
 * use Wite-Out® on challenging vocabulary and replace the words with easier synonyms can change the readability of the text.
 * summarize the text on the computer with easier vocabulary and fewer details. Paste the summary over the existing text so that the student’s book “looks” like their peers.
 * **Interactive Books**
 * create vocabulary cards with matching pictures [[image:atconsiderations-asd/interactive_books.jpg width="161" height="108" align="right" caption="interactive_books.jpg"]]
 * create character cards
 * add Velcro strips with picture, letter or word choices to match to appropriate spots on the pages
 * add sound, texture, or moving parts
 * Greenhouse Publications offers interactive print books for children in PK and Kindergarten

Mid Tech Tools and Strategies

 * **Electronic spellers**and thesauruses (thesauri for purists!) support poor readers with voice output for a word typed into the device. Many of these also read definitions and example sentences. Costs range from $50 to $200.
 * Franklinhas an entire series of talking dictionaries
 * Merriam-Webster® Speaking Dictionary & Thesaurus
 * Speaking Language Master™
 * Children's Talking Dictionary & Spell Corrector (allows for phonetic spelling correction)
 * Talking Spanish-English Student Dictionary (great for English Language Learners [ELL] students)[[image:reading_pen.jpg width="124" height="85" align="right"]]
 * **Reading Pens** have some use for poor readers because they provide auditory support for unknown words. These are also good supports for ELL students. **Be aware**- the student shouldn't need too much support (i.e., shouldn't be too far below reading grade level,) since the pen is actually a hand-held scanner, the student needs fairly good fine motor control, and it doesn't work with all fonts or font sizes.
 * Wizcom Reading Pens
 * Lightwedgecomes in a variety of sizes and types to provide focused light from an LED source on a reading surface.
 * **Tape recorders**- This is a fairly "outdated" technology at this point with the advent of books on CD-ROM and .WAV and MP3 files, but it is still a viable alternative for younger students.
 * Students with reading problems can work around their problems by listening to recorded text (books, journals, newspapers) rather than reading it. Most public libraries and many bookstores sell books-on-tape.
 * **Audio books**
 * Lit2Go is a free online collection of stories and poems in Mp3 (audiobook) format. You can: download the files to your Mp3 player and listen on the go, listen to the Mp3 files on your computer, view the text on a webpage and read along as you listen, and print out the stories and poems to make your own book.

**High Tech Tools and Strategies**
>>> New and Glossary Maker and Quiz Maker. (free)
 * **Text-to-speech**(TTS) has been linked to improvements in students’ reading and writing skills [Letter reading fluency (Dawson, Venn & Gunther, 2000); Improved comprehension (Elbro, Rasmussen & Spelling, 1996; Elkind, 1998; Higgins & Raskind, 1997 and 2005; Montali & Lewandowski, 1996); Faster reading speed (Elkind, Black & Murray, 1996); Increased vocabulary (Herbert & Murdock, 1994)]
 * **Aurora Echo** from Aurora Systems allows you to scan documents and then highlight words you want read aloud. It also works with word processing documents and web pages. ($ but you can download a free trial version)
 * **WYNN** by Freedom Scientificis a full featured literacy and study skills program ($)
 * **Read & Write Gold** from TextHelp is another literacy support software tool that assists with writing & research ($)
 * Don Johnstonoffers **Write:Outloud** and **Read:Outloud**. You can also purchase a software suite containing these programs and others for literacy support in their product **Solo.** ($)
 * Premier Literacyhas accessibility suite that can be individually configured to meet needs. It is also available on a USB flash drive so that the 10 software programs can be loaded on any computer and the student's files travel with. ($)
 * Kurzweil 3000 In addition to providing a number of reading comprehension, study tools, and text-to-digital conversion tools, this program supports transcription and editing. Transcription legibility and spelling accuracy are supported with word prediction and spell check tools. Word fluency supported with an e-dictionary and thesaurus along with the support of third-party picture dictionaries. ($)
 * **Classroom Suite 4** by Intellitoolsis a unique intervention tool that combines direct instruction with a flexible tool environment to help students in grades Pre K through 5 achieve mastery in reading, writing and math. Classroom Suite 4 provides students with explicit instruction, constructive practice and embedded assessments to allow teachers to gauge progress and individualize instruction for their students. ($)
 * Microsoft Reader is a free reader to create a library of e-books to provide reading supports through spoken text as well as a variety of other study features (annotations, highlighting, dictionary, bookmarks). Can convert any digital text or students' Word documents into an e-book. Cover images can also be added. (free)
 * Natural Readerhas a free version that will read aloud any text . They also offer the software in personal and professional versions. The professional version will allow you to convert text to MP3 format for listening to text on an MP3 player or your computer (free or $)
 * Readpleaseoffers the similar free and for cost versions as Natural Reader. They also have Reading Bar which enables you to have text in web browsers read aloud and convert to WAV or MP3 formats (free or $)
 * DSpeech is an opensource TTS software (free) [[image:dspeech.jpg width="332" height="238" align="right" caption="DSpeech screenshot"]]
 * WordTalk is a plug-in for Microsft Word (free)
 * Balabolka is another free TTS software. The on-screen text can be saved as a WAV, MP3, OGG or WMA file. The program can read the clipboard content, view the text from DOC, RTF, PDF, ODT, FB2 and HTML files, customize font and background color, and control reading rate. (free)
 * CLiCk, Speakis an open source, freely available TTS extension for the Firefox web browser. It features a mouse driven interface, and it reads web pages (free)
 * Verbosetext to speech application is designed to assist in listening to text. It can be used to read aloud any text, then save it as mp3 or wav files for future listening. (free)
 * TTSReader is a full-featured, text-to speech software package that allows reading text aloud as well as to wav or mp3 files. (free)
 * BrowseAloudfrom the Text Help people reads websites aloud and highlights the words as it reads them (free)
 * Rewordify.com is a free text simplification tool. Students may copy and paste any text into the box and it is instantly simplified.
 * **Interactive Learning** (software or online) or **e-books**
 * Software
 * Edmark titles available at Riverdeep
 * Bailey's Book House (PreK - 2)
 * Sammy's Science House (PreK - 2)
 * Destination Reading (K - 12)
 * Scholastic
 * **WiggleWorks** software (grades PreK-1 and grades 2-3) provides each student with a scaffolded learning experience. Each WiggleWorks title is available on the computer with support options for every child, no matter what his or her instructional needs. Built-in tools and activities support children’s developing phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. The 84 WiggleWorks titles include realistic fiction, nonfiction, and folktales. The program contains a software manager that helps teachers monitor student progress and adjust student access, teaching plans, a teacher's guide and assessment tools.
 * **Thinking Reader** can be used with middle school struggling readers to read the same grade level trade novels as their peers. Prompts, hints, model answers, and immediate feedback, are embedded to provide differentiated instruction and individualized support. ($)
 * **Expert Space** is for middle school grades and is a digital learning environment for science **and social studies content**. Includes multiple reading scaffolds to ensure that all students can access content. All articles are leveled according to the Lexile Framework of Reading. Spanish translations and read-aloud tools are also available. ($)
 * Earobics (PreK - 3)
 * Attainment titles
 * Story Town - teachers create talking, animated stories
 * My Own Bookshelf - teachers create multimedia stories
 * Show Me Spelling
 * Don Johnston titles
 * Start-to-Finish Literacy (gr. 5-12)
 * Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters (all ages - pre-emergent to conventional)
 * Incite! (social studies gr.6-12)
 * Simon S.I.O. - phonics instruction for gr. PK - 8
 * Wordmaker - vocabulary instruction for gr. K-8
 * **Soliloquy Reading Assistant** by Soliloquy Learning uses speech recognition to listen to students read text aloud from storybooks. The computer acts as a reading assistant, identifying words on which the student has difficulty. Extensive progress monitoring features. (elementary grades)
 * **Cloze Pro** by Crick Softwareuses the cloze technique to explore topics of syntax, vocabulary, and comprehension on vocabulary you add to the activity. This program allows you to control which words are masked. Can be used on screen or printed as worksheets. Software is switch compatible. (all ages and grades)
 * **Reading Horizons**is an individualized, interactive reading solution for students with varying needs and learning styles. Reading Horizons offers the independence and autonomy older students want in a multi-sensory format that appeals to the visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic learning modalities. (gr. 6-12)
 * **Online ebooks**
 * Reading Bear is a new free site to teach young children how to read using phonics [[image:atconsiderations-asd/reading_bear.png width="85" height="38" align="right" caption="reading_bear.png"]]principles presented in short video segments. After each video is a quiz and, occasionally, review videos fall in the sequence of instruction.
 * Starfall(Preschool - 2) - phonics, phonemic awareness and vocabulary development
 * Ghost Forest- interactive stories in many languages (not Spanish)
 * Raz-kids(K-6) - interactive, leveled readers. Must be a member of [|www.learninga-z.com] at $80/year
 * Accessible Book Collectionanother for-fee subscription service at $50/year providing books in accessible formats for students with motor/print disabilities
 * Tarheel Reader interactive story books written by educators and students. Books can be downloaded in PowerPoint format foruse on classroom computers or read online. If read online, you can select to have the book read outloud with a synthesized voice or no sound
 * Awesome Library’s Awesome Talkster, an animated online talking character for e-books, provides visual synchronized highlighting so students of all ages can follow the text
 * Bookbuilder by CASTcan be used to create digital books
 * Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic [RFB&D] provides services to individuals who cannot read standard print because of visual, perceptual, or other physical disability; how to access RFB&D services, and information on the collection of audiotape books maintained by RFB&D
 * Bookshare has an enormous collection of electronic text for those with a print disability; membership required
 * Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, and Book Ragshave online free summaries, character analysis, essay suggestions, and important quotes for thousands of books
 * Internet Public Libraryincludes links to picture books, short stories, poetry, myths, fables, magazines, and information about authors
 * Project Gutenbergincludes e-text files of popular literary works
 * **Software -**There are numerous software programs available that can focus on a variety of skill areas such as language skills, attending skills, problem solving skills, fine motor skills, academic skills, as well as provide appropriate leisure time activity ideas. This is not a comprehensive list of all software available.
 * **Picture Word Processors**
 * Picture It and Pix Writer by Slater Software
 * SymWriter and Writing with Symbols 2000 by Mayer-Johnson
 * Clicker 5 by Crick Software but available at Mayer-Johnsonin the U.S.
 * Symbolmate is a new symbol-based software from Tobii
 * EdWord is a talking word processor that allows you to combine text with symbols. It is a free download from the good folks at Deafblindonline in the United Kingdom.
 * **Reading Programs**
 * Edmark Reading Programs by Riverdeep
 * Survival Signs by Attainment
 * Read, Write, Grow! by Ablenet incorporates literacy, writing and assessment. It allows students to read and write using non-traditional methods including switches, picture-symbols, speech generating devices like BIGmack and a variety of software access options
 * **Vocabulary Support**
 * My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary Helps children recognize and spell their first words and provides children with fun and exciting activities where they can collect reward stars as they play. (elementary)
 * **Ultimate Talking Dictionary** by Premier Assistiveis a comprehensive talking dictionary with any software program or website to immediately look up any word. Hear the word spoken aloud in a sentence as well for a better understanding of its meaning. (all ages and grades)
 * Visual Thesaurusis an interactive dictionary and thesaurus which creates word maps that blossom with meanings and branch to related words. Its display encourages exploration and learning. Available both as a desktop version and a web version. Additional features of Visual Thesaurus include Spelling Bee and Vocab Grabber. Spelling Bee: User is challenged by a series of words, with the spelling difficulty adapted to the user's individual skill level. Vocab Grabber: VocabGrabber analyzes any text you're interested in, generating lists of the most useful vocabulary words and showing you how those words are used in context. (all ages and grades)
 * Laureate Learning Systemshas First Words, First Words II, and First Verbs to develop core vocabulary and introduce word combinations through these interactive software programs which encourage choice making. Young children enjoy selecting a picture directly on the screen when using a touch screen. Switch access is also available. (early elementary)
 * Encarta by Microsoftis an online multi-media encyclopedia to look up any topic and read or hear about it. It offers 3-dimensional tours and original voice recordings for authentic learning. Additional learning and homework tools are available with subscription. (free)
 * Visual Dictionary Onlineoffers audio support for vocabulary as well as definitions, and visuals for words across a range of themes for all grade levels.
 * Word Web a comprehensive dictionary and thesaurus that includes definitions and synonyms, proper nouns, related words, 5000 audio pronunciations, 150 000 root words, and fixed web reference tabs (free)
 * CleverKeys is free software that provides instant access to definitions at Dictionary.com, synonyms at Thesaurus.com, facts at Reference.com and more — from almost all Windows or Mac OS programs, including word processors, Web browsers and most e-mail programs. With CleverKeys, the answers are just a click away.(free)
 * Wordsmyth not only has dictionary and thesaurus support, they also offer tool set includes a Fill-in-the-Blank Quiz Maker that uses Wordsmyth example sentences or, at your option, sentences that you write yourself!
 * **Confusing Words**is a collection of **3210** words that are troublesome to readers and writers. Words are grouped according to the way they are most often confused or misused.
 * **Flashcards**
 * Create your own flashcards at Quizlet(free)
 * Flashcard Machineis a free web application that enables users to create interactive web-based study flash cards and share them with others. (requires registration)
 * **Hardware Devices** - portability of audio books is an important factor for students who need that accommodation for their studies. There are many devices available that support a variety of needs.[[image:Victor_Wave.jpg width="125" height="125" align="right" caption="Victor Reader Wave"]]
 * **Victor Readers** by **HumanWare** **-** Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) have encoded files (DAISY format) that can only be played on these devices
 * Also from Humanware is the Classmate Reader. It is designed to improve reading skills, developing and understanding vocabulary, while promoting phonetic recognition and fluency. Includes an SD card with sample content reading material. Plays DAISY 2.x, DAISY NISO, NIMAS, MP3 WAV, ogg Vorbis, unprotected WMA, Txt, RTF, HTML, and XML file formats
 * Intel Reader available from Don Johnstoncombines a high-resolution camera with the power of an Intel® AtomTM processor that converts printed text to digital text, then reads it aloud. You can purchase a capture stand separately that allows you to take images of text with ease. It will play most content, including MP3, DAISY books and even text transferred from a PC, as well as MP3 or WAV music files. It can also generate audio versions of printed materials, such as MP3s, that can be played on most digital music players or computers
 * MP3 players** - use your favorite search engine to find MP3 players or visit your favorite electronics store. Three of the most popular with greater compatability are listed here.
 * Microsoft ZUNE
 * Apple iPod
 * SanDisk Sansa Fuze