I explored the Early Childhood Corner in the Chapter 2 Integration Corner. I discovered a few websites that have virtual books to help children learn to read. Storybook Online (http://www.storybookonline.net/) tells a story with audio while the words are on the page. The child could follow along while the narrator is reading the text. There are numerous books and poems to choose from.
I found the “Between the Lions” website (www.pbskids.org/lions/index.html) the most beneficial for assisting children with their reading. They have a stories link on the homepage where you can choose from a list of stories to view. The book comes to life with animation and character voices. The words in the book are highlighted as the characters are speaking. This helps students recognize the visual spelling of the word while it is being spoken. There is also a link for games. All of the games are focused on teaching basic English skills such as, definitions, opposites, pronunciation, and letters. This website is fun for kids while assisting them with their reading skills. It also has a link for parents and teachers that gives suggestions on teaching children about letter sounds and other basic English skills. This website is important to me because I believe that teaching children to read is the most important lesson they will ever learn. I plan on introducing this website to my children when they are old enough to start reading and also integrating it into my classroom. This website would be interesting to anyone who has young children or who plans on teaching children how to read.
I went to the pbskids website. It has some really cute stories and you can pick from different genres. I like the fact they highlight the words as they read along. It will get the students to follow and recognize words as the story progresses. I might try it with several students who are having a difficult time reading now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome are all of these websites? Why couldn't they have this stuff when we were kids? It is absolutely amazing the stuff kids have access to now. That is why our kids are so smart!
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like the kids today are more advanced at an earlier age.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that teaching children to read is one of the most important things they will learn to do. I checked out these websites and especially liked the pbskids one. I think a child would find it to be lots of fun, and they get to learn while they are having all that fun.
ReplyDeleteI love this website you found. The books are very easy to read and I think they could help children learn to read very well too. The lighting up of the words as the characters are speaking is a good way for the children to recognize the words with the sounds they make. Great website.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found the website to be useful.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing that "Between the Lions" show before- my little sister used to watch it after school. Now that I think about it more, I really think that the creators of that show and website are really helping in the education of young children- the kids are so eager to learn when it's so interactive and fun like that!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that they have the sites to help kids learn to read! That is definatley something that I will be using in my classroom!
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