V5 in 5 Days! Day 2: Library for Reading Comprehension and Fluency

4/9/2010 4:51:43 AM #

It is always exciting to see authentic text included in a reading intervention and 225 passages is great!  I do have a question:
I saw that the Level and Lexile are included on the passage itself.  Is this also available in the library before the student chooses or will students need to be trained to check the bottom of the page?

Jessica Cline

4/9/2010 6:57:18 AM #

I am glad that there are a lot of different activities on the software.  This will give students the chance to practice their skills in many different ways.  Research shows that struggling students need more practice on skills in order to master them.

It helps that students are able to take skills tests and skip those areas that they are already competent in.  This helps them to feel that the software is targeting their own personal skills deficits.  

Judy Thomas

4/9/2010 12:41:33 PM #

I think the addition of the New Library Component to the Reading Horizons V5 is profitable. It is the backbone that makes the software completely consistent. By providing 15 different genres and over 225 reading passages for readers to practice, the Reading Horizon’s New Library Component is just more than astonishing.

Carlo Milfort

4/10/2010 6:19:02 AM #

I agree that the library component is a good addition to this program.  Students are more likely to read and understand if the material is interesting to them.  It is encouraging to see components such as this added to reading programs because I teach struggling readers.  It is always a challenge to find material appropriate for them that fits their interest.  With the various levels available this should be a great help.

Deirdre Justice

4/10/2010 10:44:50 AM #

The new library component is fabulous.  I really like that students are able to choose the the topics that interest them the most and there are many selections with many genres.  I believe this will keep students more engaged.  Also, with any reading program, choice is crucial to success.

Jennifer

4/11/2010 3:12:48 PM #

Reading is a major part of the learning process and to have stories that will interest students is important. My student likes the fact that I try to present her with stories that will push her to read at a higher grade level. I like having a selection of stories for a specific grade level so I do not have to try to guess what level it is at.

Clarinda Ringeisen

4/11/2010 4:30:38 PM #

I particularly like the fact that the students get to choose which selections to read.  With at-risk high school students, that element of choice is important.  They are more likely to read something that they pick than they are to read something that they are told to read.  In allowing them a degree of independence while still being guided by level of performance, it empowers the students to take responsibility for their own learning.

Margery Bloom

4/11/2010 5:44:13 PM #

This software has the content and appeal that I need to reach my secondary special education students whose reading capability remains far below their peers.  I have been searching for software that would address their needs and appeal to their interests.  The program had to also be very student friendly allowing them to easily navigate through the material with minimum adult guidance.  I believe your new software fits those needs.

Lisa Coy

4/11/2010 8:08:21 PM #

Having this feature at their fingertips is a benefit to the student who is excelling faster than the rest of the class.  It provides content that will help them succeed in all classes and gets them ready for reading testing materials as well.

Vicki Day

4/12/2010 4:00:34 AM #

Every reading program must give students an ample opportunity to practise while enjoying themselves. This program not only gives them a wide selection of genres from which to choose, but it also helps them assess their progress and try to reach a higher level. Providing passages that are not as long as a book is also good as a stepping stone to try a book.

alice

4/12/2010 1:30:11 PM #

The Library component will be effective for my students/clients who already have some reading skills. However, the time sensitive passages will challenge my students who work at a slower pace and have very poor reading skills.I am looking forward to see how this works out.

Dianne Barry

4/15/2010 5:21:23 AM #

High-interest expository passages are valuable to my students because they need engaging, appropriately leveled texts to keep them motivated to read.

Natasha

4/15/2010 5:46:15 AM #

Exposure to skills alone will not make a successful reader. I am a firm believer in the benefits of practice to cement any new skill academic or otherwise. The library will make good reading materials readily available to readers that struggle to find their own. By allowing the students to make their own choices and providing selections from high-interest reading areas I expect students' motivation to read to be dramatically increased. Way to go Reading Horizons!

Cathy

1/19/2011 7:52:04 PM #

The Library component of Reading Horizons v5 software sounds interesting. I like the details that you have shared.

Mike | car advice