Fluency Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately. Children who do not read with fluency sound choppy and awkward. What the problem looks like A kid's perspective: What this feels like to me Children will usually express their frustration and difficulties in a general way, with statements like "I hate reading!" I just seem to get stuck when I try to read a lot of the words in this chapter. A parent's perspective: What I see at home Here are some clues for parents that a child may have problems with fluency: He knows how to read words but seems to take a long time to read a short book or passage silently. A teacher's perspective: What I see in the classroom Here are some clues for teachers that a student may have problems with fluency: How to help
6 Ready To Go iPad Centers A few of the following iPad Centers/Stations I have posted before, however I thought it might be useful to post them again, at the beginning of the year so you know they are here if you want to try something new during your literacy or math block. All of the centers can be done using one or two iPads at the center and are actual centers that my students used last year. I hope you find them useful or they spark new ideas to try with your students. Writing Center: App Needed - Write About This Fluency Center App Needed - Audioboo, iPhone version Research Center App Needed - Pocket Zoo Math Center App Needed - Draw & Tell This one might be a bit confusing at first. App Needed - Explain Everything
50 Popular iPad Apps For Struggling Readers & Writers Whether you’re the parent of a child with a reading disability or an educator that works with learning disabled students on a daily basis, you’re undoubtedly always looking for new tools to help these bright young kids meet their potential and work through their disability. While there are numerous technologies out there that can help, perhaps one of the richest is the iPad, which offers dozens of applications designed to meet the needs of learning disabled kids and beginning readers alike. Here, we highlight just a few of the amazing apps out there that can help students with a reading disability improve their skills not only in reading, writing, and spelling, but also get a boost in confidence and learn to see school as a fun, engaging activity, not a struggle. Note: See also 15 Of The Best Educational Apps For Improved Reading Comprehension & 20 iPad Apps To Teach Elementary Reading Helpful Tools Speak It! Fundamentals Reading Writing Spelling
6 Must-Have Apps for Tech Leaders -- THE Journal IT | Features 6 Must-Have Apps for Tech Leaders These tablet tools will help technology directors and coordinators make the most out of their mobile devices. A school’s technology staff is always on the go, so they need a mobile ecosystem that is as flexible as they are. 1) Evernote Susan Bearden, who has worked in various technology roles throughout her career and is now the director of IT at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (FL), said, “I use Evernote because I can access my content wherever I am.” 2) Notability Allen Miedema, the director of technology for Northshore School District in Bothell, WA, relies on this note-taking mainstay, which he originally picked because it scored top marks in syncing up with the file-sharing sites he uses. 3) Hapara This tool works with desktops as well as mobile devices. Hapara also links up with other district systems to automatically enroll and drop students as they come and go.
Improving Fluency in Young Readers -- Fluency Instruction What is fluency? According the National Reading Panel (2000), fluency is the ability to read text with speed, accuracy and proper expression. Fluent readers: Recognize words automatically Read aloud effortlessly and with expression Do not have to concentrate on decoding Can focus on comprehension Why is fluency important? “Fluency is important because it provides a bridge between word recognition and comprehension.” Fluency doesn’t ensure comprehension, but comprehension is difficult without fluency. When students make gains in reading fluency, they are able to put their energies into comprehension and are able to analyze, interpret, draw conclusions, and infer meaning from texts. The 3 Components of Fluency Accuracy: Also known as automaticity, it refers to the person's ability to read words in a text. In order to implement fluency teaching into reading instruction, teachers need to be aware of the three components of fluency. Fluency Instruction Model fluent reading.
English and Language Arts Apps, Games, and Websites close(x) Don’t Miss Out You’re all set! Look out for our weekly updates soon. Connect with us Jump to navigation What we love "Best of" Lists "Best of" lists Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest: Poll Did this specific Top Picks list help you decide to do any of the following? Let your child watch/play/read/listen to a particular media title 41% (401 votes) NOT let your child watch/play/read/listen to a particular media title 14% (142 votes) Buy, rent, or download a particular media title 24% (234 votes) Did not impact my decision 22% (213 votes) Total votes: 990 About our rating system ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age. Find out more Learning ratings Share this List FavoriteSign In or Sign Up to add favorites English and Language Arts Apps, Games, and Websites Curiosityville csm_website Elmo Loves ABCs csm_app csm_game
How To Start Developing Your Own Apps Software development is going mobile, bringing applications to phones, laptops and tablets everywhere, including the classroom. - Gartner predicts that by 2015 mobile app development projects will outnumber PC application projects by 4 to 1. - Mobile app developers are reaping the benefits of 45 percent year over year employment growth, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek. - Dice.com reported a 100 percent increase in job posting for mobile app developers between 2010 and 2011. Developers with the right mix of skills can find boundless opportunity in the multibillion-dollar mobile app industry. The common piece of the puzzle is some sort of computer programming training, whether it’s a certificate in a specific language like HTML5 or a bachelor’s degree in software development. With the rapid growth of the mobile medium, some colleges and universities are adding specialized undergraduate degree programs in mobile app development. Sources
7 Ways to Creatively Ask Questions in the Classroom Using iPads! The Answer Pad I started using Go Interactive from The Answer Pad last year. I LOVE it! What I love most is that I don't have to change the way I teach, alter my curriculum, or jump through hoops to use the technology. I simply ask questions as I'm teaching and the students reply just like always. The only difference is instead of having children use their dry erase boards, erasers, and expo markers, we use our iPads. The Pros and Cons of Using Individual Dry Erase Boards: Receiving feedback during a lesson is important. Each of my students have their own board, marker, and eraser. Our Structure: I ask a question then put my hand to my forehead to model thinking. I enjoy using dry erase board in class because they offer a quick way for me to obtain feedback from my students. One downside of using the dry erase boards is the time it sometimes takes a long time for students to set up problems. Using iPads as "Dry Erase Boards" BUT with Pre-Created Templates It is Easy Peasy to Get Started a.
Fluency Practice Passages Why Use Fluency Practice Passages Fluency is a key foundational skill that helps students read complex text with greater understanding. When students read with accuracy and expression at an appropriate reading rate, their fluency supports their comprehension. Repeated reading practice with short passages improves word recognition and automaticity. How to Use Fluency Practice Passages Passages are provided from Levels F to Z. Timed Reading Procedures You will need: Two copies of the assessment passage—one for the student and one for the instructor Stopwatch or clock Pencil Clipboard (so students will not see what you are writing) Administer a one-minute reading, starting the stopwatch when the student begins the first word of the passage (student will not read titles). During the reading, resist the urge to correct mistakes. Follow along on your copy word by word with your pencil. Timed Reading Scoring Example:
48 Free Education Apps Sorted By Grade Level It’s hard to figure out the best education apps that are out there. Katie and I aim to do our best to sort them out but we certainly can’t keep up with the daily influx of interesting and useful apps that could have a spot in education. Emphasis on the word could. Many apps are complete bunk. So let’s assume that you want how do you quickly figure out which free apps work for your grade or skill level. This list is by no means complete but what apps would you add? How to make use of QR codes with your iPad (teachers & students!) It has been recognised for some time now that using QR codes can really support learning but what can you do? Well the fact that devices often used in schools such as the iPad have a camera built in makes it super-handy for working in the classroom with QR codes, but how can they be used to support learning, what methods can you employ in order to create them and then share them? A QR code (or Quick Response code) is like a bar code, in that it can be scanned with a reader and it will present some information based upon what is held within the code. URL (website address)Email addressPhone numberTextvCardSMSYouTube clipFacebook profileWi-Fi detailsTwitter profileMap coordinate Now the idea is that you have an app that will create the code and the information is held within it. One of my favourite QR code creation tools is one called QRReader. Here is an example of a text QR code: If you scan it, you can see that it includes a fair amount of text.
Apps to Support Diverse Learners in the Classroom Do you like apps? Do you use them in the classroom? Not every district, school, or parent has the ability to support apps in the day-to-day learning environment, but for those that can, there are some fun, effective, tried-and-true apps that can make a tremendous difference in the lives of diverse learners. Many states now require incorporating technology into standardized testing, so the number of systems with the ability and willingness to support apps and software is also increasing. Many teachers and parents enjoy apps just as much as students. Staying on Track EpicWin is an organizational or executive function tool that is great for keeping students on task, keeping them from procrastinating, and using gaming to incentivize their tasks. Picking Up on Social Cues Sōsh helps students develop social skills and cope with stress or anxiety. Relate Relax Reason Regulate Recognize Prioritizing Time Strengthening Math Sharpening Language What are your favorite apps for diverse learners?