Category Archives: Reading Tools

Reading Tools

Assistive Reading Tools for Special Needs

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and explore the wonders of reading. However, for children with special needs, this journey can be filled with unique challenges. Fortunately, the digital age has ushered in a wealth of assistive reading tools that not only open up the world of literature but also cater to the diverse needs of these exceptional young learners. See-n-Read is an accessible online platform designed to enhance the reading abilities of children with special needs. This platform offers evidence-based tools that can improve focus, comprehension, and fluency, all within the comfort of your own home. It serves as a user-friendly resource for individuals seeking effective reading assistance.

The following are some assistive reading tools created by a team of experts at See-N-Read:

MemoryMark

See-N-Read’s primary product is a specialized reading strip designed for readers with special needs. It maintains straight lines and proper spacing in workbooks, tests, and printed documents. This reduces eye strain, enabling extended reading. The slim, transparent plastic strips guide the reader’s eyes, improving speed and comprehension. The tool helps prevent readers from skipping lines or jumping back and forth between lines, improving their reading speed and comprehension. They also reduce glare and enhance contrast for easier reading. These strips are helpful for individuals with special needs.

eSee-n-Read

eSee-n-Read is an electronic reading aid that uses technology to highlight text, monitor reading progress, and offer feedback on reading speed and understanding. Tailored for students with special needs, it eases the challenges of reading digital content like web pages, digital documents, and standardized tests. Available in various formats, including software, apps, and digital devices, eSee-n-Read provides interactive assistance. Readers facing eye strain and fatigue can personalize font sizes, colors, and backgrounds for a more comfortable and accessible reading experience.

See-n-Spell

See-n-Spell is a valuable asset for individuals with special needs seeking to improve their spelling and vocabulary skills. This user-friendly reference manual encompasses an extensive compilation of around 300 frequently utilized American English words. Its organized and easily accessible format across 40 pages makes it an indispensable aid for writers of all ages who may require additional support. Whether you are a student striving to strengthen language skills or a professional writer aiming for improvement, See-n-Spell emerges as an outstanding resource to assist you in attaining your linguistic goals.

ColorTag

ColorTag is a carefully designed memory aid aligned with educational standards like the Common Core and STAAT, specifically tailored to the unique requirements of students with special needs. This reading tool utilizes transparent overlays in various colors to support reading and comprehension. It’s a vital asset for individuals with special needs. Through a strategic color-coding system, ColorTag simplifies text, helping readers identify and remember crucial information. In the world of assistive reading tools for students with special needs, ColorTag stands out as a transformative resource, promoting improved retention, comprehension, and learning.

To maximize the benefits of See-N-Read tools for students with special needs, it is crucial to promote a consistent usage pattern. Encourage students to make regular use of these tools to enhance their reading and comprehension abilities. The key is introducing See-N-Read Tools gradually, allowing students to feel empowered as they develop their skills at their own pace. Begin with a single tool and gradually incorporate additional tools as necessary. To learn more about See-n-Read tools, visit 2533 Sutton Lane | Aurora, IL 60502-9461, or call 630-236-5592.

blog, Reading Tools

The Benefits of Using See-N-Read Tools for Individuals with Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects an individual’s ability to read and process language. Individuals with dyslexia may have trouble with decoding words, recognizing sight words, and understanding the meaning of written text. However, with the right support and interventions they can achieve great success in their academic and personal lives. See-N-Read tools are reading aids that can help individuals with dyslexia improve their reading skills and comprehension. These tools are designed to enhance visual tracking, reduce distractions, and improve focus, making it easier for individuals with dyslexia to read and understand written text.

Listed below are some key benefits of using See-N-Read tools for individuals with dyslexia:

Improves Visual Tracking
Our research-based tools help individuals with dyslexia with better visual tracking and reduced word skipping. Visual tracking refers to the ability to follow a line of text from one word to the next. It is an essential skill for reading, as it allows readers to move their eyes smoothly across the page and process written text quickly and accurately. The reading guides feature a tinted window that highlights the line of text being read, while also reducing the contrast of the surrounding text, making it easier to focus on the current line.

Reduces Distractions
See-N-Read tools like Memory Mark can help reduce distractions by helping the reader isolate the line of text being read and underline or highlight key text. It is a great tool for helping readers of all age groups to improve focus and comprehension. The tool makes it easier to read for longer durations by reducing eye strain and fatigue.

Improves Reading Speed and Accuracy
Individuals with dyslexia may struggle with reading speed and accuracy. Reading can be a slow process for them and this may also reduce comprehension levels. See-N-Read’s reading strip can help improve reading speed and accuracy by guiding the reader’s eyes across the page and reducing distractions. This can help improve the speed and accuracy of reading, making it easier to process and understand written text.

Enhances Reading Comprehension
Another significant benefit of using See-N-Read tools for individuals with dyslexia is that they can help enhance reading comprehension. Tools like the ColorTag Study Recall System can help enhance reading comprehension by helping the reader to retrieve key information while reading while distinguishing between essential and non-essential information.

Improves Confidence and Self-Esteem
Finally, using See-N-Read tools can help improve confidence and self-esteem for individuals with dyslexia. The tools can provide a sense of support and encouragement by making reading a more accessible and manageable task. By improving reading speed and accuracy, and enhancing comprehension, individuals with dyslexia can gain confidence in their abilities and feel more positive about their reading skills. This can have a ripple effect on other areas of their lives, leading to increased self-esteem and a greater sense of accomplishment.

See-N-Read tools can provide numerous benefits for individuals with dyslexia. The tools are U.S. Patent Awarded and made of toxic-free materials. They can be used with any reading material/curriculum. To know more about the See-N-Read tools, you can visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL 60502-9461 or call at 1-630-236-5592. You can also browse the learning tools at www.see-n-read.com or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and YouTube.

Improve Reading Comprehension, Improve Reading Skill, Improve Spelling, Reading Tools

How To Encourage Kids For Reading?

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Richard Steele”

Reading is the stepping stone to everything else in life as it is the gateway through which endless knowledge and information is absorbed. Inculcating a strong reading habit right from childhood is crucial to making it a life-long habit. Children who are avid readers have a broader horizon of the world around them and are more likely to be successful individuals as adults. The foundation of being a reader is to set reading goals and be consistent with them.

Here are some tips for sticking to a consistent reading habit as kids:

  • Form a Routine: Even if it is a 15 to 20 minute routine, it will work wonders in the long run. What we practice persists, so stick to a routine as this will help your child form a disciplined approach towards reading. All you need are a few minutes of uninterrupted time with your child everyday to read his/her favorite book and before you know, it will become an automatic process for your child.
  • Create a Reading Nook: Create a space in your house that is dedicated to reading. Ensure that there is proper lighting, comfortable seating, ventilation and a collection of your child’s favorite books. Encourage your child to spend some time in this corner every day even if it means sitting with him/her to read a book.
  • Choose Books of Interest: Explore different genres of books for your child as this will help in discovering what his interests are. Create a collection of fiction, joke books, how-to books, biographies, graphic novels and more as per the age/ reading level of your child. If you do not want to buy books at this stage, consider visiting your nearest library with your child once every week at the least.
  • Keep Devices Away: As much as we love our IPads, tablets, video games, phones and other modern devices, we need to keep them away during ‘Reading Time’. In fact, in a household with young kids, everyone including the adults should form a practice of switching off devices for a few minutes every day and read a book together.
  • Use Reading Tools: Last but not the least, if your child is a slow reader/learner, consider investing in reading tools that are designed to improve the quality and speed of reading and learning. The tools help in improving concentration, memory, vocabulary and spellings. They can be used to highlight text, prevent line and word skipping and reduce pattern glare.

See-N-Read provide learning tools for improving reading in kids, you can visit www.see-n-read.com or call at 1-630-236-5592 for more information.

Reading Tools

Your Teaching Budget Demands Results, See-N-Read® Delivers

1 Comment

The students you care for have various challenges and the budget to address those challenges is hardly unlimited. You need the most effective tools for your money to ensure the integrity of your educational program.

See-N-Read® Reading Tools are your patented (U.S. Patent 7,954,444) solution to assist children with reading challenges. Through years of research and careful testing, our dedicated learning specialists have created tools that are proven to help children with difficult reading Fluency and comprehension issues.

See-N-Read®  Learning Tools’ team is dedicated to studying and solving reading comprehension and fluency problems in people of all levels, from child to adult. We understand that the solutions offered in traditional reading comprehension programs do not necessarily address readers who respond differently to certain stimuli. We also understand the devastating effects that misdiagnosing children with a disorder or disability can have on their self-esteem. Our tools are research-based and classroom tested; addressing physical and cognitive anomalies in order to improve reading speed and comprehension while stabilizing learners’ confidence by enhancing success.

Our tools are easy-to-use, requiring virtually no training time for teachers or students…Simply Lay It on the Page and Read™. The learning curve for our tools is not disruptive – you will be able to apply it almost instantly within your normal curriculum. We have created See-N-Read® to easily integrate into your program at any point during the year. If you find that traditional methods are not working for your students, do not hesitate to add our proven tools at any point in time and in any curriculum. Your students will keep pace with ongoing materials and you will close the gap between traditional and nontraditional learners more quickly.

In short, if you are a teacher on a budget, See-N-Read® is the reading (or study) aid for you. You can visit us at our website for more information on our reading and study tools and the research that went into their development. We are also happy to talk to you about any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you bring your students to new levels of competence and confidence!

Reading Tools

Helping Your Child Build A Strong Vocabulary

1 Comment

Strong vocabulary is a prerequisite for cultivating a lifetime of love for reading and learning. A child with a solid vocabulary will enjoy reading and have a better understanding of the written expression. It is thus essential for parents to assist their children in learning new words on a daily basis. Nowadays, there are a number of physical tools that can be used to build vocabulary and improve reading skills.

Below are some tips that can help to build your child’s vocabulary:

  • Teach the kids according to their level: Whenever you introduce a new word to your child, always make it simpler and easier to understand. Depending on your child’s age, provide a simple and kid-friendly definition of the new word. Secondly, give a very easy example that makes sense in his day-to-day life. Your child should also be encouraged to develop his own examples. For retention of new words, keep using them frequently in the house and make your kids also use it.
  • Do not pressurize: Making your child grasp too many new words at one time can make him forget all of them completely. The key is not to go overboard while trying to enhance the vocabulary of your kids. Don’t try to teach too many or too less new words. It is best to choose five new words every week and make your child learn them. Use the words in everyday conversations for easier learning.
  • Let your child develop a story: One of the most interesting ways of developing your child’s vocabulary is by letting him develop a story on his own. Let him imagine new things and put it in his own words. In between, you can introduce new words and concepts and use them while talking later on.
  • Help your child visualize: When you start teaching new words to your children, it is also important to help them visualize those words. You can show pictures of the new words on the Internet or some books for description. While pointing out new verbs, you can act those words in front of your children. This will enhance their vocabulary at a much faster pace and visualization will further help in better retention.
  • Let your child read and write daily: Whenever your child has learnt a new word, he needs to read it, pronounce it and write it on a daily basis. Encourage your child to repeat those words loudly and spell them accurately. Also, tell him the meaning and try to use those words in a sentence so that he can have a better understanding.

See-N-Spell™ Spelling and Vocabulary Quick Reference Guide aims at helping struggling writers to correctly spell the most commonly used words in the American Lexicon. For more information about our learning tools, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Reading Tools

How To Improve Your Spelling Skills

1 Comment

Some spellings have always been tough to remember due to their contradictions and exceptions. While certain words have silent letters, others are spelled differently in spite of having the same pronunciation, which may cause confusion.

If you find it difficult to spell certain words correctly, you may use the following tricks to sharpen your skills:

Learn the rules – English language comprises of words with different pronunciations and writing styles. You may not be able to remember all the rules at once but, you can always begin by noticing the common patterns in diverse words. It is important to note that all spelling rules applied in this language are not universal therefore, you must be aware of their exceptions as well.

Read a lot – Reading is the best technique to improve your vocabulary and reduce spelling errors. While reading you encounter various words that unnoticeably sink in your mind and help you spell better. Reading newspapers and magazines can also help you to get hold over the newest forms and elocution of words. In case you do not understand a word, you can use a dictionary.

Learn via crosswords – Puzzles are a good way to challenge your thinking and exercise your mind. You may solve various crosswords to learn new spellings. The hints given to fill the grid down and across will help you to find the appropriate words along with their meanings. This exercise also aids in remembering the words with their correct meanings and spellings.

Watch English shows with subtitles – captioned and subtitled TV shows are one the best ways to learn spellings and pronunciation of words. You may not be able to make notes, but you’ll definitely grasp the difference between the correctly and incorrectly spelled words.

Spelling competition and quizzes – This is an interesting and a fun-filled way to learn spellings. You can ask your friends to spell out the words that you find tricky and vice versa, or you can just play the online spelling quizzes.

Write whenever you spell – Make a habit of jotting down the words you try to spell. In order to keep a record, you can even make a notebook that comprises of all the newly learned words. It will act as quick reference guide to the words, which you often find difficult to spell.

Take help of reading tools – If you have trouble remembering the correct spellings, consider consulting books that are specifically designed to resolve such issues. For the convenience of the readers, these books are divided into various sections like misspelled words, commonly used words, special interest words etc. You can use them to verify the correct usage of any word.

See-N-Spell™ is an effective tool designed to improve spelling and build academic vocabulary in people of all age groups. For more information, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

blog, Improve Reading Comprehension, Improve Reading Skill, Reading Strips, Reading Tools

The “Language” Barrier: Why Students Struggle to Read Correctly and What You Can Do To Help

1 Comment

When a child has difficulty reading, it’s important to understand that it isn’t necessarily because they’re not reading fast enough or they’re having a hard time discerning the meaning of the words. Oftentimes, issues develop with the physical act of reading itself. Kids can have a hard time staying on the proper line as their eyes move across a paragraph (thus changing the order of the words), or may accidentally switch words around in their heads.

This “Language” barrier (that is to say, a barrier not with any particular idea, but with language as a form of visual communication) is very real and is affecting millions of kids right now.

The Language Barrier: Facts and Figures

According to one study, more than $2 billion is spent every year to help students who are forced to repeat their current grade for no other reason than that they have a reading problem. A distressing fact from the National Research Council’s Committee on Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children is that the education of an estimated 25 to 40 percent of kids in the United States is in danger because, for a variety of reasons, they find reading too difficult.

According to a report commissioned by the National Institutes of Health, up to 10 percent of people across the country of all ages have these types of specific, brain-based reading difficulties – including those who are characterized as having average or above average intelligence. 

It’s particularly important to address this situation in young children because taking corrective measures while someone is still in their formative years has a profound positive impact on the rest of their lives.

Finding a Solution

Addressing this issue requires a certain change in perspective. A student who is struggling to read correctly for these types of reasons does not have a problem to be “fixed” or “eliminated”. They have a problem that must be solved. It’s about finding a solution to the issue, which is why assistive devices like those available from See-N-Read® Learning Tools are so essential.

At their core, the learning tools from See-N-Read® are designed to give readers the ability to support the cognitive and visual skills required to not only read faster and more effectively, but to also process and remember that information more easily. They don’t address the symptoms a person may be experiencing, but instead offer a solution by way of improved and supported fluency – that is, the ability for a person to read text at a natural, accurate pace.

The See-N-Read® reading strip, for just one example, uses a clear strip to essentially “highlight” a full line of text on a page WITHOUT visually blocking other lines that may be valuable for context. The text is essentially emphasized, allowing a reader with difficulties to focus on the current line while still improving fluency and overall comprehension.

When students suffer from reading difficulties, it can be overwhelming for everyone involved – from parents to teachers to, most importantly, the students themselves. Teachers who utilize research-based, classroom-tested products to students that support natural reading processes will improve student performance in multiple subject areas. Such research-based tools offer functional solutions that create an environment where students can truly flourish.

blog, Improve Reading Comprehension, Improve Reading Skill, Reading Tools

4 Reasons Kids Have Reading Problems and How You Can Help

1 Comment

As a classroom teacher, you know how important reading is to the success of your students. For those that struggle with this skill, though, the causes might not be as clear. Some of the most common reasons that make it difficult for youngsters to read include:

1. Attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A brain-based condition, attention-deficit disorder (ADD) is the most common one identified in children. Its core symptom is a lack of focus that can make it difficult for kids to stay on task. In many children, this lack of focus is coupled with hyperactivity — attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — which can lead to fidgeting and/or acting out in class.  Too often, these kids are merely labelled as ‘behavior problems’.

2. Dyslexia

Dyslexia is another brain-based condition that can make it difficult for children to learn to read. Youngsters with dyslexia often find recognizing letters and their accompanying sounds laborious. Recognizing and sounding out new words and connecting rhyming can be challenging for these kids. Skipping words and losing their place while reading are other common issues seen in children who have dyslexia, partly because they’re spending so much effort on decoding. Dyslexia can also make reading comprehension exhausting.

3. Visual processing disorder

A child with a visual processing disorder could struggle with recognizing the differences between shapes and/or letters. The order in which the letters appear might be jumbled. Word and line-skipping is common due to visual processing or eye control issues. Kids with visual processing disorder often complain of seeing double or that their vision is blurry.

4. Auditory processing disorder (APD)

Students who have auditory processing disorder (APD) have difficulty processing what they hear. This makes it difficult for them to understand directions or grasp the plot of a story that is read aloud to them. Because reading involves successfully connecting each letter with its appropriate sounds, APD makes it challenging for kids to hear the subtle differences between letters that are essential for reading.

How You Can Help

Whether your struggling students have been formally diagnosed with one of the above conditions, they are undergoing testing to determine if there is a medical explanation for their struggles or they exhibit some telltale signs, there is a practical solution you can offer in your classroom to help them now. See-N-Read® Learning Tools were developed based on the latest research. Classroom tested, simple to implement in the learning program of any child and affordable, See-N-Read® Reading Tools help children stay focused on specific lines of text. This invaluable resource helps the child keep the place on the page to improve reading performance, reduce frustration and increase confidence

Reading Tools

Classroom Strategies To Improve Reading Skills

1 Comment

Reading skills are an essential component that allows students to make the most out of their academic education. It allows them to analyze any given information beyond simple comprehension, such that it can be retained for years and applied in real world setting. Though elementary level students need to develop a strong foundation for reading skills, elderly children should constantly reinforce this knowledge and utilize it in daily life.

Hera are some classroom strategies teachers should use to improve reading skills in students:

  • Utilize different reading materials: Allow students to access reading material in different formats, such as books, magazines, newspapers, e-books, audio books etc. This will allow them to form connection with the information in a better way. Practicing reading while simultaneously seeing the words in the book will boost their comprehension skills.
  • Make connections: Forming connections between the present and previously learned information helps children to develop a deeper understanding of the reading material. For instance, while reading about a place where he/she has been on a vacation, allow them to share memories or experiences associated with that place. Good reading is all about the ability to relate and understand information.  
  • Ask questions: Putting up questions will increase the students’ curiosity in gathering more knowledge about the content. After every passage, ask them what they think is the essence of the paragraph and which information is important. Good readers will always raise questions about the information being read to comprehend it better.
  • Hold discussions: While reading a text or making assignments, ask children to note down words or phrases that they do not understand. Subsequently, you can hold classroom discussions to deliberate upon the meaning and usage of those words until everyone understands it.
  • Draw inferences: Inferences can be drawn by combining the different elements in a story. For instance, if we read that a character had runny nose and watery eyes, we might infer that he/she has cold or allergy. Help students develop this skill by predicting what may occur next or what would have led to the present circumstances.  

See-N-Read Reading Tools are designed to improve reading skills in students of different grades. The research based products provide a practical learning to help children overcome moderate to severe reading, writing and study skills deficiencies. For more information about the reading tools, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Reading Tools

How To Increase Your Reading Speed

2 Comments

Reading is an invaluable skill that helps in most spheres of life including academics, business and leisure. However, it can be quite tedious and time consuming if your reading speed is slower than average. While an average individual reads almost 200 to 250 words per minute, the pace may also depend upon the material and purpose of reading. Along with the speed, it is equally important that you understand the information that is being read.

Here are a few tips that can help to improve your reading speed:

  • Read With A Fresh Mind: It takes a lot of practice and concentration to improve your reading speed. Thus, it is better to develop a habit of reading when your mind is fresh and least distracted, preferably early in the morning. You must schedule your most important reading tasks for this time of the day.
  • Skim Reading Material: Before starting with the actual reading material, you must go through it briefly and scan the outline of the content. This will give you an idea about what is important, which part you can skip and which you need to read with more concentration. Skimming will also prepare your mind to better comprehend the content to be read. When you understand the structure and idea of the content, your reading speed is likely to improve.
  • Categorize Reading Material: Dividing the content into three different categories, namely important, moderately important and least important, can help to improve your reading speed. You should start over with the least important bit first, by just scanning it quickly without pressuring your mind. Then, you should move on to the most important content and read it with utmost concentration and attention. Finally, you should keep the moderately important content for the last to relax your mind after handling the complex information.
  • Set A Reading Environment: The environment in which you read, your physical posture, the angle at which you hold the book and other such factors can also influence your reading speed. As far as possible, you should try to read in natural light, as it tends to stimulate alertness. The place should be well lit and there should be no distractions, specifically while reading complex material.

See-N-Read Reading Tools are research-based products aimed at improving reading speed. The tools have been designed to help people of all ages overcome reading, writing and study skills deficiencies. For more information, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.