Define READING

Thoughts and Highlights from Assistive Technology Conference of New England 2015

Define "Reading"

I heard this in the last session I attended with Gaby Richard-Harrington who is an Instructional Technology Specialist in Western Massachusetts, and it stuck and resonated with me.  I remember at the beginning of the school year when my second grader brought home his weekly reading log, and I wondered to myself, well, does this count the Audio Books we read/listen to in the car? And I should have asked for clarification, but I didn't.  But now I wonder, WHY should I ask?  

Not being a reading specialist or a teacher, the WHY becomes evident.  You need to define READING.  Is the purpose for oral fluency?  Is it for the progression and speed of the left to right, bottom to top nature?  Is it to develop a love of listening to stories?  Is it for the social emotional aspect of reading with a parent or peer?  Is it for the comprehension of materials?  

Reading to me is not just the act of eyes and brain working together fluidly to decode and sound out characters.  I love reading.  I love stories.  I love learning.  But for someone who struggles with any of the above aspects, I doubt they LOVE it.  In fact, you ask a struggling reader and they probably say they HATE it.  And that is a strong word.  

So when assigning reading tasks, I challenge parents and educators to define clearly what is it that you are actually asking the student to do.  It is then I think that you can see what kinds of tools are out there to help them become engaged "readers".  

But first, just observe your reader(s).  Does the student/child rub his eyes a lot, squint, or get headaches?  Any of these should be red flagged and referred to an optometrist.  Can the child/student use his eyes together to scan across a page without jumping?  Do they have difficulty switching from the board to the book?  If acuity has been addressed, then maybe a referral to an Occupational Therapist or Development Ophthalmologist might be in order.  Is the student frequently reversing letters, missing letters or words, or just doesn't seem to be getting the whole picture?  Maybe screening for a learning disability may be in order with a Neuropsychologist.

And in the mean TIME of all of this, how is the child accessing his reading material???  Because, we know this ALL TAKES TIME!  So look at what you have available in the classroom, the district and the local library.  Perhaps providing the student/child with the audio version of the novel you are reading in class would be an easy option.  Do you have access to the digital format?  Using the built in options on the MAC or PC to use the text to speech options may help.  Does your district already have a site license for products like Read and Write Gold or Read and Write for Google?

I know this seems like a rant, but it is more of a challenge.  I challenge teachers, parents, and therapists to really LOOK at the student (or yourself even) and DEFINE READING.  It is only then you can begin to analyze how to really support the reader.

'Appy Hour Review: OverDrive Library App, A Free Way to Access Books in Alternative Formats

With summer fast approaching, reading lists are being compiled for work and leisure. But did you know that there is a free app for a variety of devices, including iOS, Android, and Chromebook, that provides you access to digital formats of tons of books? The OverDrive app does just that for those on the run, or those who need alternative formats.

Since I am an Apple user, I'd like to share how I use it on my iPhone/iPad.

After you download the OverDrive on your iOS device, it will prompt you to chose/add your library.  Search and select the library to which you have your library card.  For example, I live in Rhode Island so my digital library is through Ocean State Libraries E-Zone.

Once selected it will bring you to the home page on which you need to sign in using your library card number.

Now you can search digital and audio books to borrow and download for 14- 21 days at a time!
Digital texts are noted with an open book icon in the top right corner of the selection; headphones signify audiobooks.  Note, if the icon is gray, it is not available for instant gratification download.  If it is black, it is.

Tap on the book you want to download and select borrow.  This will prompt you to either read from your browser or into a format available for a Kindle Book or ePUB.  If you download to your browser, be aware if you have wifi or you may eat up your data.

If you read in the browser, you can scroll down to change READABILITY including text size, contrast, font, line spacing and justification.   Now you can swipe and read.

Audiobooks are selected the same way and are downloaded as an MP3.  To locate the file after you downloaded it, swipe the left hand side of the screen and select Bookshelf.  Select your downloaded title and start listening.  I like to use this feature when communting.  My husband enjoys it during his runs.  But people who struggle with reading may enjoy this feature as well to have access to more titles in a format that works for them.

There are a ton more features to this app that you can explore.  There is a great review of how people with visual impairments find its accessibility and compatibility from AppleVis, a forum for people with vision impairment who use Apple products.  And F.Y.I., the app requires iOS 6.0 or later to run.

If you don't have a library card from your local library, go get one.  You are missing out on a rite of passage as well as a free means to access books in tangible, digital and audio formats.  If you are looking for a local library, check out http://www.publiclibraries.com.  This site provides a listing of public libraries all over the United States.  

Minecraft: Inspiring Kids to Work Outside the (x)Box

If you don't know what Minecraft is, be thankful.  I consider it Mine-Crack because my kids are addicted to it.   It reminds me of old-school Duke Nukem with its pixelated graphics.  Though I find it visually nauseating to watch, I know tons of children and adults who enjoy it.  So I choose to embrace it as a motivator to work on other skills, without them REALLY noticing. 

Pixel Paper Crafts
This is a great site in which you can search craftable mobs, creepers, withers and more.  Once chosen, print them out.  Once printed, the child works on cutting, folding, pinching, glueing, etc. There are a variety of easy and difficult block designs.  You can differentiate skills and needs by pre-snipping, adding directions and numbers, or coloring.  Also, check out the Minecraft Fortune Teller, to build in intrinsic hand strength and coordination!

Legos
There are tons of sets dedicated to Minecraft. Following directions, bilateral tasks and fine motor development are always addressed with the use of legos!  Or the children can create their own.

Block Art
Using snipped up sponges, paints and square pieces of paper, the children can design their own mobs.  Challenge them by using clothespins to pick up the sponges.

Looming
Here is an example to make a Creeper Loom Bracelet.  Looming is a great activity to build attention and spatial awareness.

Minecraft Bingo
Scanning and visual discrimination skills can be supported during Minecraft Bingo activities.  Language concepts such as Same and Different can easily be integrated into the activities as well. 

Slime
Make Minecraft more sensory challenging with fun do-it-yourself Glitter Slime using colors common to the game.  Bonus, if you happen to have Minecraft figurines, hide them in the goop!

Learn to Draw Tasks
Step by step copying or imitating tasks to build Creepers are based on many basic prewriting strokes. And if you really want, you can always sing a Mat Man inspired version like "Creeper has one head, one head, one head...."

Self Regulation Chart
Here is an amazing way for kids to learn how to identify feelings and actions using a 5 point scale, all relating to Minecraft characters.

Graphing Fun
Plotting squares, coloring in small spacing, or using it to inspire Perler bead activities or bead lacing keychains.

Word searches
Meet Penny has a whole printable pack of 50 activities, including word searches.  But you can always create your own using free websites like Discovery Education

Building Literacy Skills
There are tons of books about Minecraft.  If you have a struggling reader or one that shows little interest, try offering reading selections like Minecraft Hacks.  Many of the sections are short so they are not overwhelming to the readers.  And when they do finish the book, the reader can feel accomplished.

There are tons of activities available on the internet inspired by Minecraft.  Just search Minecraft crafts and you will be amazed with what is out there.  Hopefully this gives you a little taste of what is available to get your students and children off the virtual crafting table and onto a real one.

Five Bucks or less: Homework Helper

Do you or someone you know find it difficult to attend to homework assignments because it gets visually overwhelming?

I found these Avery See Through Sticky Notes at the Recycling for Rhode Island Eduction Center, and immediately thought of a variety of uses because of a couple of unique properties. First, they are sticky notes and are easily removable, no real left over tack noted. Second, they come in a couple of colors and shapes, so depending on the preference of the child, you can accommodate pretty easily. Third, you can write on them. Note, if you write or erase vigorously, the color can come off. And depending on the writing implement you use the ink may rub off onto your hands.

So here are some quick uses for homework:
1. Place it on the math problem you need your child or student to focus on or copy.  The highlighting color draws attention to the problem and helps to alleviate some of the stress when there are multiple problems to complete.

 2. The child can then either write directly on the highlight sheet to complete the work, then copy it over if neatness is an issue.

3. Use the highlight to make a reading assist.  Trim the sticky note to the size of the font/spacing in a book the student is reading. Then the child can focus on the line(s) at a time and can follow the left to right, top to bottom reading, without skipping lines.

There's a Fly Guy in my Soup by Tedd Arnold

4. Same theory as above, teachers could stick these highlight papers in the big books they read to children as a cue for a new word.

Now I found them at an educator's discount place, noted above, so I paid 10 for $1.  But if you don't have access to a place like that, then these sticky notes can run anywhere from $3.50 and up for a package of 50 sheets.  But it may be a small price to pay to increase confidence and decrease stress during those pesky, and visually overwhelming assignments.

If you have more ideas on how you can use these See Through Sticky Notes, please post them on the blog response or my Facebook page.  I would love to add more ideas to my mental rolodex!