Spellcheckers

Spellcheckers

Spellcheckers can be lifesavers!  Even as adults, none of us are perfect spellers.  Using a spellchecker is a convenient tool for correcting misspelled words before sending a document.  I often use the spellchecker on Microsoft word before sending emails or spelling something on the board for students to see.  Another way I use the Microsoft Word spellchecker is when I need to submit something such as a blog point or discussion board post.  In this case, I often like to type out what I want to say on Microsoft Word document (as I am doing to type this post) and allow the spellchecker to find any misplaced words. 

However, there is debate on whether students should be allowed to use spellcheckers.  Johanna Sorrentino, author of Is Spell Check Creating a Generation of Dummies? suggest that students aren’t mastering the fundamental principles of how language works.  “In a world where almost everything is automated, there's a heightened concern that kids aren't mastering the fundamental principles behind the way things work—from levers to locks to the written language.” (Sorrentino, 2008)  Sorrentino also related one study conducted by a team of doctorate students from the University of Pittsburgh in which spellcheck was used to proofread papers by two groups of students: high scoring SAT students and lower scoring SAT students.  “… results were significant, especially when you consider that the experiment was meant to show that spell checkers were more effective for those with high verbal abilities. Instead, their results showed that both groups were worse with the spell checker on.” (Sorrentino, 2008)

All in all, a spellchecker is a great tool for anyone to use but students of all ages should still learn the fundamental rules and patterns for spelling words correctly (this is an absolute must.  Therefore, parents and teachers, especially for younger students, should be cognizant of when and how students use this tool. 

Sorrentino, J. (2008, January 11). Is Spell Check Creating a Generation of Dummies? Retrieved December 1, 2012, from Education: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/spell_check/

E-Textbook Suggestions for Reading Instruction

E-Textbook Suggestions for Reading Instruction

·         Words Their Way: Word Study for Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling Instruction / Edition 5

By Donald Bear, Marcia Invernizzi, Shane Templeton, Francine Johnson

This textbook is designed to improve reading and word comprehension skills that focuses on phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction.  Teachers can use this book as a detailed reference for implementing this type of instruction in K-5. 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Words-Their-Way/Donald-R-Bear/e/9780132825108?itm=3&usri=vocabulary

·         Sound It Out! Phonics in a Comprehensive Reading Program / Edition 4

By John Savage

This textbook covers an instructional phonics program that teachers can use in the classroom for helping children who have trouble learning basic phonics skills.  It is intended to be read and utilized by a teacher in a primary grade level, but it can also be a reference for teachers in intermediate grades whose students may need additional support. The content of this book also integrates technology with phonics instruction.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sound-It-Out-Phonics-in-a-Comprehensive-Reading-Program/John-Savage/e/9780077433642?itm=1&usri=reading+comprehension

 

·         Classroom Reading Assessments: More Efficient Ways to View and Evaluate Your Readers

By Frank Serafini

This textbook contains multiple reading assessments for teachers to use in a K-8 classroom setting.  These assessments measure various skills that will ultimately improve students’ reading skills.  With the instruction provided in this textbook, teachers can effectively pinpoint student weaknesses and target them with the right instruction.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Classroom-Reading-Assessments/Frank-Serafini/e/9780325030593?itm=23&usri=language+skills

·         The RTI Daily Planning Book, K-6: Tools and Strategies for Collecting and Assessing Reading Data & Targeted Follow-up Instruction

By Gretchen Owocki

This text is designed to give teachers insight on reading assessment and instruction by guiding teachers through planning for the RTI (Response to Intervention) process.  K-6 teachers can also target and follow-up their instruction based on data from reading assessments. 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rti-Daily-Planning-Book-K-6/Owocki/e/9780325030630?itm=59&usri=language+skills

 

·         50 Literacy Strategies: Step-by-Step / Edition 4

By Gail Tomkins

This textbook is intended for teachers in grades K-5 who would like to implement more literacy strategies in class.  Literacy does not have to be limited to reading only but is cross-curricular in math, science, and social studies.  This book also includes information writing and language skills.  Additionally, this text covers differentiating instruction, technology integration, and National Common Core Standards.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/50-Literacy-Strategies/Gail-E-Tompkins/e/9780132945431?itm=3&usri=literacy

Interactivity: Benefits of Highlighting Text

 Interactivity: Benefits of Highlighting Text

Highlighting is a great strategy for reading and retaining information from a text.  Whether a student highlights specific text on his own or uses a highlighting tool on the computer, highlighting proves effective for reading comprehension and retaining information.  In a study on highlighting from digital interfaces and eye-tracking, authors Ed Chi, Michelle Gumbrecht, and Lichan Hong of the chapter Visual Foraging of Highlighted Text: An Eye-Tracking Study found that “Readers’ attention is directed to highlighted areas, regardless of their appropriateness to the task.” (Chi, Gumbrecht, & Hong, 2007)

Highlighting can be used by students digitally, with a highlighter or marker, or clear tape.  Students can also use different colors to categorize information so that it is easy to remember.  In my 2^nd grade classroom, I typically use several different highlighting techniques so that my students can retain information better.  One technique that I like to use is to present the lesson’s information on a word document and followed by projecting it on the screen; I then use different highlight colors on Microsoft Word to show students specific parts of the text.  This technique allows for interactivity because students can then take turns highlighting details on the screen by using a mouse controlled from their desk.  Another technique for highlighting I use is not computer-interface interactive but it is a great strategy for younger readers to find and locate information.  This technique involves using colored lens filters to locate information in the text.  I like this because it not only gives students visuals but also a “hands-on” feel. 

Chi, E., Gumbrecht, M., & Hong, L. (2007). Visual Foraging of Highlighted Text: An Eye-Tracking Study. In J. Jacko, Human-Computer Interaction. HCI Intelligent Multimodal Interaction Environments (pp. 589-598). Beijing .

American History Text Set

Social Studies: American History, Elementary Text Set, Grades 2-5

Children's Encyclopedia of American History (non-fiction)

 

David C. King

The Children’s Encyclopedia of American History is a non-fiction text published by the Smithsonian Institute.  It has engaging text and colorful pictures to grab students’ attention when reading about factual events from the history of America.

Purchase on Amazon.com

 

Jacksonville Public Library

The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History (non-fiction/biography)

Jennifer Armstrong

The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History is a collection of stories about prominent people in the history of America.  This book contains full-color illustrations and guide questions about the stories.  

Purchase on Amazon.com
 

Jacksonville Public Library

Liberty Kids: The Complete Series (Animated TV Series- DVD)

Liberty Kids is an animated TV series on PBS that chronicles events in American history as told through a kid’s perspective.  Each television episode is approximately 30 minutes long and in full-color.  This would be a great resource to watch at any time during a lesson or as a lesson in social studies.  

Purchase on Amazon.com

Jacksonville Public Library

The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (non-fiction activity book)

Janis Herbert

The American Revolutions for Kids: A History with 21 Activities, is a non-fiction activity book created specifically for children as an interactive tool to help them learn about American History.  

Purchase on Amazon.com

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States  (non-fiction)

David Catrow

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, is a richly illustrated book drawn specifically so that kids understand the words of the Preamble.  This book is both engaging and entertaining.  

Purchase on Amazon.com

Jacksonville Public Library

John, Paul, George & Ben (fiction)

Lane Smith

John, Paul, George, and Ben is a delightful, brightly illustrated story about the founding fathers of the United States.  It is a fun read, narrated from the perspectives of the young versions of Paul Revere, John Hancock, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. 

Purchase on Amazon.com

Jacksonville Public Library

 Digital Text @ Audible.com

Revolutionary War Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes

David C. King

Revolutionary War Days, is a fun color-illustrated activity book about the American Revolution.  It is an easy read that students and/or teachers can use as a resource for their social studies lesson.

Digital Text @ Amazon.com

 

 

Storybird: An Unlikely Mouse!

An Unlikely Mouse! on Storybird