Technology helps low readers!

Reading has seen a big push in our school district over the past four years. For our NCA accreditation we have started SSR (Sustained Silent Reading).  From 9:59 to 10:14 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the students, teachers and support staff are required to read.  Magazine articles, newspapers, and comic books are not allowed.  A book from the accelerated reading list is a good option.  Of course, the assigned books for a literature class is always a good choice. As a matter of fact, a very interesting option for our literature students has just been approved at our high school. Students are allowed to upload a book from http://www.loudlit.org/. onto their i pods. The story is read aloud and the words are shown so the students follow along. Most of the students find following along from their book while they listen is much easier on their eyes vs. following the words on their i pod screen. I had a great conversation with a few of my choir students today regarding this new technology that has just been approved for their use. The students really like this concept. They are really starting to see how technology helps to facilitate learning.  Our low readers are now able to keep up with the rest of the class through this new process.  Comprehension and retention is improved immensely.  I say Bravo!  I'm anxious to see how the reading skills come out in the MEAP Test results next week.