Element of Interactivity: Improving Reading Comprehension with the See-N-Read Tool

The element of interactivity I chose is highlighting text by using the See-N-Read tool. This tool is part bookmark and part highlighter. You can highlight important part of the text one line at a time by using the tool. The tool is a thin plastic piece that has a hole cut out in the center so that you only see one line of text at a time as you read. All you have to do is place the See-N-Read over the passage or page you are reading. When you have finished reading one line, move the tool down slightly to read the next line. The website for this helpful tool features See-N-Read products in many different sizes and styles, as well as other products. Some styles even make it easier for you to highlight the text yourself, because the yellow film in the center cut out has been removed. Below is the list of some of the many benefits of this useful tool:

• Read faster
• Improve concentration
• Remember what you've read
• Enhance spelling and academic vocabulary
• Improve learning strategies 

To purchase the See-N-Read tool or other products, visit the website: See-N-Read

Ashley's Visual Processing Disorders

Ashley, (a false name to respect the student's privacy), is a 4th grader at River City Elementary School. She was recently diagnosed with a visual processing disorder and given an IEP. She has been classified as learning disabled by the ESE teacher. Every day, Ashley sits in the front of the room in her class. Her assignments are printed in large font by each of her 3 teachers. The ESE teacher works with her for 30 minutes every morning on her assignments. In addition to sitting up front in class and having her assignments printed in large font, Ashley's teachers give her the accommodations of reading questions/text aloud on tests, extra time on tests and assignments, having key words highlighted in questions, and the option of small group or individual instruction.

5th Grade Social Studies/American History Textbooks

One of the biggest topics 5th graders learn in Social Studies is American History. They learn about how our country came to be the way it is today from the time it was founded to the present. Below is a list of appropriate etextbooks for this topic:

1. We the People
2. Native American History for Kids
3. Cooking Up US History
4. The United States Cookbook: Fabulous Foods and Fascinating Facts from all 50 States
5. The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents
6. The Everything Kids States Book