Cart is empty
View Cart
Subtotal: $0.00

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /var/www/vhosts/3ip.eu/literacysolutions.3ip.eu/wp-content/themes/literacy-solutions/includes/view/blog/loop-index.php on line 48

Blog About and Share a Literacy Resource for Struggling Readers

  • Posted by Susan Ruckdeschel
  • On 28 June, 2015
  • 3112 Comments

Let’s take all this knowledge from our course Literacy Strategies for Struggling Readers and put it to productive good. Whether a new literacy resource, a differentiated resource, a resource for inclusive classrooms, or one focused specifically on struggling readers, let’s share a resource and talk about it in this blog.

  1. First, tell us why you chose the resource.
  2. Next, provide us with a link to the resource and a brief description of it.
  3. Explain how the resource works effectively, or has the potential to work effectively, with struggling readers.

CompareContrastBlendedLearningHappy Blogging!

3112 Comments

Holly
First, tell us why you chose the resource. I love to use graphic organizers such as K-W-L charts (https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kwl+chart+template&id=BA143D58B948505D0A3B9DC69A7E5FF42DAAACAF&FORM=IQFRBA) to activate prior knowledge, Bubble maps (https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=ws%2bWsXp6&id=D2D337C3DC85DB57C451F77F3C7A40996DF1177B&thid=OIP.ws-WsXp64Iq3DdwTMEFZ4QHaFP&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.efoza.com%2fpostpic%2f2012%2f11%2fweb-diagram-template-printable_21140.png&exph=1240&expw=1754&q=+bubble+web+template&simid=608045901901596030&selectedIndex=5) to organize text information and identify topic, main idea and supporting details, and Venn diagrams (https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=1IC1GNGM&id=6C80CF68E0FC3DC10C7C57F087B825A57AC05CD0&thid=OIP.1IC1GNGM2eTiWVU00_46vwHaFR&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fimages.template.net%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2015%2f09%2f19153805%2fVenn-Diagram-Template-With-Lines-PDF-Format.jpg&exph=427&expw=600&q=venn+diagram+template&simid=608015089860218178&selectedIndex=3) to compare and contrast information from 2 sources. They are great visual aids in finding and organizing information and helping students focus on key details. They can use the information in the graphic organizers to write a summary or a paragraph. Struggling readers do not have to jump right into writing, they can think, pause and organize their ideas first. I find these resources extremely effective in my classroom
Tammy Merrell
I like http://www.readingrockets.org/helping. It has an entire section dedicated to helping struggling readers. It contains articles for teachers and parents as well as research.
Holly S.
I love to use graphic organizers such as K-W-L charts to activate prior knowledge, Bubble maps to organize text information and identify topic, main idea and supporting details, and Venn diagrams to compare and contrast information from 2 sources. They are great visual aids in finding and organizing information and helping students focus on key details. They can use the information in the graphic organizers to write a summary or a paragraph. Struggling readers do not have to jump right into writing, they can think, pause and organize their ideas first. I find these resources extremely effective in my classroom Next, provide us with a link to the resource and a brief description of it. KWL template: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=TYnBJ7uL&id=C3E3BF60277FE52461E3FB838C5538B54240F9FC&thid=OIP.TYnBJ7uLED45SxwbUWw4BAHaFt&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timvandevall.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fKWL-Chart-Template.png&exph=386&expw=500&q=kwl+template&simid=608022026223422860&selectedIndex=1 Bubble map: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=rWe6wv0b&id=FABBFEA71C5D58F9F69FFD417E7B2CB3EA56A671&thid=OIP.rWe6wv0bvog3BzSTUCFcKQHaJl&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2f4.bp.blogspot.com%2f-spBrcKO3P_8%2fTaBnsca2KAI%2fAAAAAAAABXs%2fJ6wQZvio9Hs%2fs1600%2fMy%2bFlower%2bBubble%2bMap.png&exph=1035&expw=800&q=bubble+map+template&simid=608039017108539667&selectedIndex=9 Venn diagram: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=0n6ZLSdw&id=BE139A06FE19A11A5A77795AF9F3C4A69AEA34A5&thid=OIP.0n6ZLSdwpSilXSU9CWbv5wHaFu&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2ftemplatelab.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2016%2f08%2fvenn-diagram-template-04.jpg&exph=695&expw=900&q=venn+diagram+template&simid=608049372280980022&selectedIndex=1 Explain how the resource works effectively, or has the potential to work effectively, with struggling readers. Graphic organizers enable students to focus on key details by listing them, comparing and contrasting them, and activating their prior knowledge. They can use these graphic organizers to organize their thoughts and information before they begin writing a summary or paragraph. They have a visual aid to guide them as they become more familiar with the text.
Brittany Griffin
https://www.spellingtraining.com/ This website helps students with vocab,spelling, and other high level thinking. It can help any level of student. They are playing games while learning and it makes it fun for them. We need to use online resources for students, because they are driven with technology.
Carissa Berkely
I often use www.readtheory.com in my classroom as an alternative to inside recess on days that it rains. The kids love working on this because they each have a login and it tallies their class points. It's a series of short articles, stories, poems on their level and asks them challenging questions about the text. The kids like it because the articles are often on unusual topics that catch their interest.
Kelly
I have been using A to Z kids or Razz Kids for the last couple of years. It is a computer based reading program that offers students fiction and non-fiction books at their individual reading levels. Students receive about 18 books on a level. They read along with a voice recording, read independently, and take a comprehension quiz. I receive data about how each student is progressing, including detailed data about the types of comprehension questions they are mastering and struggling with. Students do not move to new levels until all three components are completed for each book. https://www.learninga-z.com/site/products/kidsa-z/overview
Erica
https://www.sumdog.com/ here is a great resource that can be used in your classroom. It tracks their progress as they are answering questions.
Andrea India-Hurrell
https://www.flocabulary.com This website has been EXTREMELY helpful and interesting to all my kids! We learn many new words, as well as words that we already know- but it is in a rap song form, with colorful story boards that go along with the song. It also has games, songs, etc. for the kids to practice with. I love that it has antonyms and synonyms for the words and the kids are eager to learn the song to sing along. I have noticed that when they are reading, the notice some of the words that we have learned through Flocabulary- and I love that it also encompasses science, social studies, math, literature, and the list goes on!
Leslie Deese
I chose ReadingRockets.org. This is a fabulous website. It has several articles with strategies to help stuggling readers, and it has a lot of information for parents as well. Parents can look at articles that will help them understand their child's difficulties.
Patricia Heijkoop
A program used for all readers is Accelerated Reader through Renaissance Place. Features in place for struggling readers include individualized reading levels based on STAR test, tests in English or Spanish, leveled books available in Spanish, a "read to me" feature for the test for students with that accommodation. The AR program does allow for individualized goal setting for points required based on student's reading ability. The AR program builds reading fluency and allows students to experience books in a range of reading levels. AR books are fiction and non-fiction allowing for a variety of text experience and comprehension.
Maureen Mannion
A great resource for struggling readers is Leveled Literacy Intervention (www.fountasandpinnell.com/lli). I use this with my reading intervention groups with tremendous results. I love that it incorporates so many components of reading including fluency, comprehension, writing, word work, and sight words. I have seen such growth in my struggling readers with this fabulous program.
Darnell McCallum
The resource that I’m choosing is IXL.com https://www.ixl.com/ela/topics?partner=google&campaign=1837&adGroup=Sight+Words&gclid=CjwKCAjwwZrmBRA7EiwA4iMzBGlGTOlVXlVfbiXsyDmwiUMT38hKddyGnXZZJxunjKv8slPwZuYK_RoC2FIQAvD_BwE The IXL site has the ability to assist struggling readers in numerous ways from grades K-12 by allowing students sharpen their word recognition skills via visuals and interactive question through its adaptive learning. Not only does it teach but it allows students to have fun while they are learning. The tool has the ability to heighten students’ ability of describing things with adjectives and adverbs along with strengthening students’ grammar skills by being able to decipher the appropriate preposition to utilize.
Darnell
The resource that I’m choosing is IXL.com https://www.ixl.com/ela/topics?partner=google&campaign=1837&adGroup=Sight+Words&gclid=CjwKCAjwwZrmBRA7EiwA4iMzBGlGTOlVXlVfbiXsyDmwiUMT38hKddyGnXZZJxunjKv8slPwZuYK_RoC2FIQAvD_BwE The IXL site has the ability to assist struggling readers in numerous ways from grades K-12 by allowing students sharpen their word recognition skills via visuals and interactive question through its adaptive learning. Not only does it teach but it allows students to have fun while they are learning. The tool has the ability to heighten students’ ability of describing things with adjectives and adverbs along with strengthening students’ grammar skills by being able to decipher the appropriate preposition to utilize.
Dee
I use reading a-z which is a great resource for high interest leveled books for readers of all levels. I work with tier 3 students on fluency and these have proved to be highly motivating for my students to take ownership of their learning.
Dee
The resource I use is reading a-z which is a great resource for high interest leveled books for readers of all levels. I work with tier 3 students on fluency and these have proved to be highly motivating for my students to take ownership of their learning.
Darlene Curran
This year I have used Flocabulary with my student writers. https://www.flocabulary.com/ At the end of every lesson, students have to demonstrate understanding of the skill by writing a rap about the topic. It is fascinating to watch them "play" with language as they share ideas using rhythm and rhyme.
Kristen Ropke
I use the Pebble Go database with my students for research. It is a great resource for younger elementary students as it has information about many different topics. Pebble Go is very user-friendly and includes simple text and great pictures. There is a read-aloud button, so students who are unable to read the text on their own can have it read aloud to them.
Katharine Spohr
I love using the Six Minute Solution. It is wonderful for working on fluency with students, and really makes a difference if you are consistent with it! I used it when I taught in Michigan, and my students loved watching their scores, confidence, and fluency improve! https://www.voyagersopris.com/literacy/six-minute-solution/overview
Alexis Pizzulo
The resource that I chose is Discovery Education. Discovery's "Techbook" and other resources can be easily differentiated by reading level and language. Throughout the text there are embedded interactives, demos, and other visuals. Its effectiveness is due to the engagement it promotes, its accessibility, and its ability to connect to students' personal interests. https://www.discoveryeducation.com/
Ashley
A resource I find useful for ENL students is https://www.readinga-z.com. This is a great website because it provides leveled books for all types of readers. There are a variety of texts you can choose from that meet the needs of your students. I always ask my students about topics they are interested in and find stories that are relatable to them and that they will be fully immersed in. I use these books for guided reading so I can work on different strategies with these students and help them become successful in reading.
Michele Urda
The bells and whistles was a very refreshing resource to read. It explains how to mesh the old school of thought with the new ways of teaching. It truly feels like it is the best way to prepare our students for college. I felt that each section addressed different types of learners and different types of class styles that students will see in college. I think we tend to spend too much time preparing students for small class college environments, but this resource gave activities and ideas for preparing students for online college courses and even lecture or large class culture. Struggling readers will be better prepared with they have these types of tools that they are already familiar with before entering college
Kristin O'Brien
I really like to use BrainPop and BrainPopJr to encourage my readers with high interest articles. We can adjust the the lexile level of the article to the reader as well as give and modify reflection questions on the test. There are great visuals and even games that reinforce specific standards. https://jr.brainpop.com/
Britni
For younger students that struggle I really like starfall.com. It helps students with learning phonics all the way to emergent readers. It makes learning a little bit more engaging for repeated instruction. For students that struggle with math I really like sumdog or Prodigy.
Tara
I like to use Epic for my readers. I can assign collections of books (they have all levels), but it also allows the option of reading books to students. Students love it!
Tara
I like to use Epic for my readers. I can assign collections of books (they have all levels), but it also allows the option of reading books to students. Students love it!
Tara
I like to use Epic for my readers. I can assign collections of books (they have all levels), but it also allows the option of reading books to students. Students love it!
Tara
I like to use Epic for my readers. I can assign collections of books (they have all levels), but it also allows the option of reading books to students. Students love it!
Tara
I like to use Epic for my readers. I can assign collections of books (they have all levels), but it also allows the option of reading books to students. Students love it!
Allicia Gould
The resource that I would like to share is called Common Lit. It can be found at www.commonlit.org. Although you, (and your students) must create an account, the website itself is free. There are literally hundreds of articles posted and the assessments and (loads!) of data are built in to the site. I love this resource because it gives struggling readers the ability to have their work returned to them so that they may make the requisite corrections and earn higher grades. This gives them a unique opportunity to truly learn the material. A great source!
Barbara
I chose a book by Camen McGuiness titled Reading Reflex because it addresses phonics and spelling issues. Going back to basics is often necessary even in third grade. https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Reflex-Foolproof-Phono-Graphix-Teaching/dp/0684839660/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=reading+reflex&qid=1557063197&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Stacey McLain
I choose this resource because it gives ideals for helping with reading comprehension. The site is http://www.pandora.com/reading. It gives ideals on Building background knowledge, Teaching vocabulary and how to check for comprehension.
Jean Feuerstein
I chose Smarty Ants, a data-driven, computer program that was recommended by a mentor teacher. Kids LOVE the games and the exercises work on the student's individual needs. They can work on it at school and at home and there are motivational awards for time spent and levels gained. It works well with struggling readers because it appeals to their interests in games, so they want to use it (it's a station in my class and a REWARD for good behavior/completing work). It helps to close gaps while working individually, if I am meeting with another group. According to the website: Smarty Ants is a comprehensive program of systematic, explicit, and spiraled instruction in foundational literacy skills that personalizes learning to meet students where they are and accelerate early literacy success. The link is dashboard.smartyants.com
Stacey McLain
I choose this resource because it is very helpful for struggling readers. The website is: www.readingrockets.org. It gives ways to target the problem and finding help. It also explains why some kids struggle more than others and strategies to use with struggling readers
Lisa
A resource that I have utilized (it is not free but it is such an effective resource for its cost) is the Great Leaps reading program. This program is helps struggling readers. It includes/focuses on phonics, prosody, phonemic awareness, sight phrases, and builds fluency. Students I have worked with ALL make large "leaps" in their reading. More recently they have released a digital program which the students look forward to using. In order to use this program with fidelity it does need to be done 3-5 times a week but the sessions only last up to 10 minutes maximum. I've included a link to the website. https://greatleaps.com/
Darlene M Henry
I chose mobymax.com for struggling readers or any reader.I chose it because it starts with an assessment to see where the student is to start. Mobymax.com is a literacy resourse that covers many topics such as science, social studies, vocabulary, reading comprehension and so much more for students. It always starts with an assessment in order to know where to start a student so it works great with any reader. I really like it because it has the ability to read it to the child if needed and if they don't need it read to them then the student can read on their own. after reading, there are questions to check for understanding. I also send home the user name and password for each of my students so they can work on it at home and during the summer.
David Biserni
https://www.imaginelearning.com Imagine learning is a research based and aligned to standards that helps ELL students improve their reading and academic language.
Chanda Leon
I chose www.quizlet.com (particularly quizlet live) because of the interactive vocabulary review. I typically have students use quizlet to create their own vocabulary study set complete with the definition for each term and a content related image. Once students have created the study set, they can utilize the games, review, and test options within the program to study the vocabulary and definitions. In the classroom, I use quizlet live to help facilitate review. The students are randomly selected by quizlet to form teams and they have to collaborate with one another to choose the correct term being displayed across all of their devices. It works best with 1:1 devices (cell phones, tablets, laptops work best), but students can be paired together if devices are not available.
Kathryn Compton
One of my favorite sites is www.teachyourmonstertoread.com It is a play-based reading program developed in the UK that teaches phonics and sight words in an interactive story game. Students beg to go on it and dont even realize they are learning. Be aware due to it being developed in the UK there are some accent differences on some phonics sounds.
Kathryn Compton
One of my favorite sites is www. teach your monster to read.com. It is a play-based reading program developed in the UK that teaches phonics and sight words in an interactive story game. Students beg to go on it and don't even realize they are learning. Be aware due to it being developed in the UK there are some accent differences on some phonics sounds.
Caitlyn Bartello (Ruegger)
I chose IXL. It is a new tool that we have been using. I enjoy it because you can assign students the work that they need. This can help close deficiency gaps. IXL is a teacher tool that allows you to give students the extra boost that they need in certain areas. This will give them the needed remediation when the teacher can't always give them that one-on-one time that they need.
Cindy Sands
I don't know if this is even allowed because it is not "a program" but a valuable go to resource for me is https://thisreadingmama.com/free-printables-learning-activities/. Becky was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor and has 1,000's of free materials to use to teach reading. The materials are quick and easy to grab and are very engaging. I hate recreating the wheel and she has done a brilliant job creating materials and has them organized in such an easy to use way.
Shelby Whidden
Discovery Education is an excellent resource for educators, especially in the sciences. I also use it occasionally to pair with informational texts. Students can work with content in history and science in a visual way with subtitles and transcripts of the text. https://www.discoveryeducation.com
Iris Comegno
I use iReady as a resource to help my struggling readers. At the beginning of the year, students take a iReady Reading Diagnostic test to assess their strengths and their weaknesses in Reading. Then the program gives the students lessons focused on what they are the weakest at to help them improve in their reading skills. I also group my students using iReady data in groups of needs for: comprehension, vocabulary, etc. 91% of my class has improved in reading due to their use of iReady 45 minutes a week. Two other iReady Diagnostic test are given in January and then May and I adjust my small groups accordingly. Resource: http://i-readycentral.com/articles/understanding-i-ready/
Andrea
https://thisreadingmama.com/12-incredible-resources-for-struggling-readers/ I stumbled on this blog while searching for resources to help my striving readers. She provides a comprehensive list of even more helpful resources!
Chanda
I chose www.quizlet.com (particularly quizlet live) because of the interactive vocabulary review. I typically have students use quizlet to create their own vocabulary study set complete with the definition for each term and a content related image. Once students have created the study set, they can utilize the games, review, and test options within the program to study the vocabulary and definitions. In the classroom, I use quizlet live to help facilitate review. The students are randomly selected by quizlet to form teams and they have to collaborate with one another to choose the correct term being displayed across all of their devices. It works best with 1:1 devices (cell phones, tablets, laptops work best), but students can be paired together if devices are not available.
Sydney Hitt
I chose this resource because it is very fun and interactive. Website: https://www.funbrain.com. On this site, students of any levels or developmental abilities have access to interactive games, videos and books that teach them new concepts.
Tanner Thomas
I chose this resource because it has been available to me and my students this year, and it has proven to be a great resource to assist in reading comprehension. https://snapandread.com/ Students can use the snap and read Chrome extension in a variety of ways. One of the biggest ways it has helped my ELL students is the ability to translate any text by the click of the button. I encourage them to translate what we are reading to Spanish when they are struggling to understand the English within. They can do the entire passage or just a word. Students can also have the text read to them via snap and read. It also allows students to annotate and make notes on the text they are reading. Another nice feature is changing the lexile level of any reading, it can be become less challenging or more, depending on the level of the student.
Melissa Cunningham
I use EdHelper because you're able to differentiate instruction according to the grade level and abilities of my students; working with ESE students requires work for high level, mid-range, and low-functioning readers. With EdHelper I can find effective classwork for students at all ranges.
Kristin O'Brien
I like using teach your monster to read in the computer lab. The first game is great for my youngest students who are just learning to associate letters and sounds. From there is moves into letter blends, and later words. They just released a new level this year that has a lot more reading involved. The graphics make it entertaining for the students and the diagnostics attached help me create small groups for instruction. https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
Holley
I really like spellingcity.com. It is a great resource when you pay for it. I have used it with my class and it has shown great improvement in students skills. It has all different levels for a classroom that needs to be differentiated for students. It has great games/activity for lower level students. It will read the words to them, it has them do different activities with the sounds. With the paid subscription, you can assign activity that the students must do and then they can choose items they like after. This can be done anywhere with computer access with their specific username and password.
1 … 20 21 22 23 24 … 62

Leave Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *