April 7, 2006
Early Literacy
First-grader Dillon Hayen, 6, concentrates as he listens, reads and writes during a lesson in his school's Writing to Read Laboratory at Hayden Elementary School (Blue Ribbon School) in Midway City California..
The Achievement Gap-According to the 2003 NAEP results almost 90% of first graders who struggle with a slow learning pace continue to lag behind in fourth grade. On target students typically start Kindergarten with 3000 hours of pre-literacy activities in the home. At-risk students however start with just 50-250 hours of the same activities (Adams 1990). The need to begin literacy teaching from age 3-8 is essential. The talking word-processor can make a difference for all young children. Writing to Read, Waterford Early Reading Program, Dr. Peet's Talking Textwriter and Write Outloud are all names of software products that can be used to bring early literacy to all children.
OceanView School District is a fine example. KidWorks Deluxe from Knowledge Adventure is the best talking word processor for ages 4-10. I am hoping to get it to be available with the revision of my Early Literacy books. Please comment here on how you have used the computer with speech with the children you have worked with.
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