Blended Learning for Young Children

Vinci Learning features digital devices and programs for early childhood learning. The devices are 7” Android tablets specifically designed for our youngest learners. Apps for the tablets include Play and Learn studies in mathematics, science, and language arts & literacy. While playing with Vinci apps, student profiles are developed; learning activities are recommended based on the assessment. Information about the suggested activities is sent to teachers and parents, and teachers can adjust the program, as needed. This cloud-based analytical tool follows a blended learning approach that is structured to differentiate learning to fit individual needs.

textHelp: Lots of Great Resources for Reading, Writing, & Speech

Dedicated to the development of innovative software for those with reading, writing, speech, and language difficulties, textHelp provides excellent products that students can use with Macs, PCs, and mobile devices. The software is especially designed for students with literacy problems and those learning English as a second language. New to the textHelp library of resources is Read&Write for Google and the iPad app, Reading Champion. Read&Write for Google works with Google Drive in the Chrome browser making Google Docs, PDF files, and ePubs all available on PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. The Reading Champion app gives students the impetus to practice and enjoy their reading. (You can try the $6.99 app free for 30 days.)  Other products offered by textHelp include Read&Write, Fluency Tutor, BrowseAloud, English Hero, Lexiflow, Read&Write app, and SpeechStream.

Achieve 3000

Achieve 3000 is all about believing in students and reaching them at their own levels. It’s about making sure students believe in themselves and know that they can go on to the next level of learning. Achieve 3000’s products provide differentiated instruction in both literacy and science. In reading, individual student levels are determined and are continually assessed as students move through the program. Science instruction through eScience3000, a core science program, and The World of Biology, a supplemental curriculum for middle and high school students, are designed to help teachers “produce the forward-thinking scientific minds that will meet the demands of the 21^st century.” Case studies and implementation models are available on the Achieve3000 site.

7th Grade Technology Curriculum

Structured Learning has published 7^th Grade Technology, a tech learning teaching guide. It’s available in print for $30.99 and digitally for $25.99. The work includes lessons aligned with Common Core Standards and National Technology Standards.  Written by a group of teachers, who call themselves “Ask a Tech Teacher”, the book is another in the series of technology books published by Structured Learning.  The other books, for the most part, address Common Core Standards in the elementary grades.  The 8^th Grade Technology book will be out soon.

Digital Storyboards

The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) book Serious Comix: Engaging Students with Digital Storyboards, by Eydie Wilson, shows how struggling learners progress by creating their own comic books. Wilson used the technique when teaching students with special needs in New York City; her book details how it helped them improve in reading, writing, and analytical skills. “Illustrating a story,” according to Wilson, “helps students with visual literacy, which in turn helps them express their thoughts” and create their storyline.

Creating Comic Storyboards

ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) has announced the upcoming publication of Serious Comix: Engaging Students with Storyboards by Eydie Wilson. The book ($31.95, $19.95 members), which will be available this month (March 2013), features cross-curricular learning that strengthens language arts, critical thinking, and creative skills. With Wilson’s guidance, you can add the motivation of comic creation to any subject area. If you are interested in using comic creations in your lessons, you should also take a look at Plasq’s Comic Life 2, a super way to bring student’s comics to life through technology.  The Plasq software is available for Mac and Windows for less than  $30.

Information Literacy for K-3

How do you teach research skills to your students in K-3? PebbleGo offered by Capstone Digital is a K-3 database targeting reading and research. It includes level texts, reading scaffolds, narrated text, and simple-to-use research tools. There’s PebbleGo Animals and PebbleGo Earth and Space, which have interactive content to help students with reports and projects. With the program students research topics, cite sources, and use video clips, sound effects and vocabulary highlighting to learn. Take a look at the free demos if you are interested in this emergent reader research station.