Sunday, December 29, 2019

IRA Effective Literacy Website #3 Reading Bear


Reading Bear (http://www.readingbear.org/) is a project of www.watchknowlearn.org. It is one of the first free, online programs to teach beginning readers vocabulary and concepts. It systematically introduces all the main phonetic patterns of written English. This website uses innovative rich media. There are about 50 presentations, covering even more phonics principles and illustrating over 1,200 vocabulary items. In addition, there are available flashcards in PDF form.
Presentations are available in seven different versions.  Children are introduced to one or few relatable phonics rules in each presentation via playable videos or interactive slide shows. The website sounds out words slowly and quickly. It also blends the words slowly and then after an optional prompt, words are blended quickly. Interestingly, the corresponding letters are highlighted as the words are highlighted.
Furthermore, there are available pictures displayed to illustrate the words and a video to illustrate the sentences. Phonics principles and words are introduced as well as vocabulary. In addition, the website displays many features. You can click on the button that says, “First learn the sounds.” From there, it takes you to available resources that show you how to teach your child the sounds. It even provides videos for the alphabet songs. It even shows the steps any parent can follow while teaching their children with all the required resources available. For each sound and letter, there is an online quiz for the child to take after learning about the sounds. This website is a great teaching and learning tool, especially for beginning readers.

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