TextProject formalizes the ongoing work by its founder Elfrieda H. (Freddy) Hiebert, to bring beginning and struggling readers to high levels of literacy through a variety of strategies and tools, particularly the texts used for reading instruction. TextProject’s three priorities in support of its mission are: creating products and prototypes for student reading programs, primarily based on the TExT model of text complexity; providing teacher support resources and classroom reading activities; and supporting and disseminating related research.
Text-to-speech (TTS) is a type of assistive technology that reads digital text aloud. It’s sometimes called “read aloud” technology. TTS can take words on a computer or other digital device and convert them into audio. TTS is very helpful for kids who struggle with reading, but it can also help kids with writing and editing, and even focusing.
Learn the basics about text-to-speech, what the research says about how well it supports comprehension, tips on how to get the most out of the technology, and a short list of recommended text-to-speech tools.
Children sometimes need reminders that big changes in our world often start with the small actions of just one person. Meet people whose passion for art or science or helping others just may inspire others. And who knows what special dreamers may read a book today!
From bugs to smelly trash to bad ideas, the world is full of really gross stuff! But just because it’s gross doesn’t mean it can’t be funny too. These books share gross tales the whole family is sure to enjoy.
What is wonderful to one may be gross to another. Take Duck, for example. He thinks pink soup is gross while his friends think it’s just grand. And while Oscar the wiener-dog thinks his costume is ghastly, his human feels it’s fabulous. Are pirates in need of an orthodontist endearing or icky? What about eating up a bad day — literally? You decide what is wonderful, wonky, or just plain gross as you read about things real and fantastic.
How do things move from one place to another? Lots of things — including people — travel by boat, airplane, truck, bus or train. We’re always on the go! So take a look at these books to laugh or learn about the way people and other things travel.
Today’s speech language pathologists (SLPs) play many roles in supporting the development of speech, language, communication, and literacy skills. Their roles often include screening, assessing, advocating, and programming/designing augmentative communication equipment in addition to providing direct intervention with students and indirect roles of consulting, coaching, collaborating, and training educators and families.
Children’s knowledge of letter names and shapes is a strong predictor of their success in learning to read. Knowing letter names is strongly related to children’s ability to remember the forms of written words and their ability to treat words as sequences of letters.
Author-illustrator and public-school art teacher Jonathan Roth (who created the space-themed graphic novel series Rover and Speck and Beep and Bob) shares some special memories and ideas for helping readers find beauty in bugs and connect with nature through art.
