Review
: Making Reading Fun™
A reading and phonics program Featuring Usborne Books
Dr.
Barbara Walker and Miriam Ward
Reading and Math Center
Oklahoma State University
Making Reading Fun™ is an interactive CD-Rom set that is
designed for parents to use with their children. This program is well designed
and innovative in its approach to literacy learning. The program lays a
foundation for preschool children as well as supports the learning of emergent
and struggling readers. It is a remarkable way to engage parents and their
children in shared literacy activities. Each CD-Rom presents an interactive book
from which videos, printable
materials, and fun exercises are designed.
This present an excellent approach to balanced reading for young children. Along
with the CD-Rom, the actual trade book is included. The format of interactive
reading followed by skill exercises encourages a balance between skills and text
reading. Also, there is a balance between narrative (stories) and expository
(informational) texts. Books chosen for young children often reflect only
stories; however, young children like expository text and often learn expository
text earlier than stories. The use of expository text for emergent literacy is
an asset of the program.
One of the main assets of the program is that all activities are designed
to encourage parent-child interactions around literacy events. The Video and
“Tips” for parents help parents gain confidence in working with their child
during literacy experiences. Both the parent and child can use the videos as
they become familiar with the content of the target book. We highly recommend
viewing the video and discussing it before reading the book. Viewing a video
uses multi-modes of learning to activate the young child’s experiences related
to the topic. Further, discussing the video will increase the parent-child
interactions that, in turn, promote the language development of the child.
The books that were chosen for the interactive reading include enriching
content and are presented in an interactive CD-Rom that holds the interest of
the child. The pictures in the books and on-screen are colorful and support the
child’s reading. The books presented on screen highlight the words as they are
read, thus helping the child with directionality, tracking and sight word
recognition. Additionally, pages can be easily re-read to reinforce word
learning and then, the parent or child can click and move on. Using the
highlighting, the parent and young child can easily listen and read the book
together joining in shared literacy. This is a marvelous way to engage parents
and their children in shared literacy activities. As children listen to the
book, they will begin to understand book language, another important aspect of
emergent literacy.
Printable materials that can be used to extend the lesson concepts
accompany each book. Some of the printable pages are Rebus books where pictures
and words are combined to convey a story. Young children can easily read these
books along with their parents. Since these are printable pages, the child can
read and reread the text handling the book in whatever manner is comfortable.
Book handling is another aspect of emergent literacy and this allows the child
to play with a book while developing book knowledge (front of the book, how to
turn pages, etc.). Other printable pages are useful in extending skill
development in young children such as letter knowledge, sound segmentation, and
sound blending as well as concepts related to the target book. These printable
pages are coordinated with the fun exercises. Fun exercises offer a variety of
activities and interesting extensions of thematic concepts.
Additional assets of the program
include:
¨
The
program can be used on both PC and Mac computers.
¨
Pages can
be re-read before proceeding to next page.
¨
Repetition
of words or phrases in the program reinforces reading concepts.
¨
Accommodates
different learning styles, e.g., audio, visual, and kinesthetic with a
discussion on how to adapt to the child’s individual learning style.
¨
Concepts
are presented that help build connections to, with, between, and among people
and objects in everyday life.
¨
Instructions
for parents help build parents’ self confidence in assisting their child.
¨
The
program can be used for emergent struggling readers.
¨
Several
books would help international students with learning practical English
language.
¨
Book 6
offers two levels of reading, one for child and one for adult.
¨
Fun
Exercises for Book 5 offers excellent segmentation & blending activities.
¨
The book
12 worksheet offers unique method for identifying & using parts of a book.
¨
Using
index of books in looking up words is interesting preparation for child’s
later use of dictionary and other reference books.
¨
Research
in reading as well as rationale for approaches are discussed in the video.
¨
Lesson 11
videos are informative, educational, with supporting photos and content.
In using the program in the Reading
and Math Center. We would recommend the following adaptations and suggestions
for parents.
ü
Be
sure to read all instructions and guidelines before using the materials.
It would be helpful to
include
a letter to the parents encouraging them to do this.
ü
When the
rate of speech is too rapid for the young reader, the page can be repeated by
clicking the reread button.
ü
It is
important for the parent to be involved in skill lessons.
ü
If cursor
is moved over an icon before the speaking ends, there may be overlapping talk.
In other words, don’t click too soon when you want to advance to the next
frame.
ü
To
prevent talk from overlapping, move mouse or click another button after
narrative is finished.
ü
Clicking
the dialogue bubbles allows your child to hear un-jumbled words from the
conversation.
ü
Some
interactive lessons require the child to drag pictures or words to the spaces or
lines provided. If the spaces are not large enough for the length of the word,
point out and emphasize the importance of allowing adequate space between words
when writing. If it is difficult to how to drag image or word to correct
location, the adult may have to learn with trial and error, as there are not
explicit instructions.
ü
Listen
carefully to directions and follow them explicitly, e.g., “click here” for
printable to get readable copies.
ü
Be aware
that several printable pages may be needed for one activity. Read carefully to
know which pages go together.
ü
Blue
highlighting of words on computer monitor with the words being read may not be
synchronized.
ü
Language
and spelling is advanced and may require adaptation to child’s skill level.
ü
In lesson
7, it might be helpful to separate blends and digraphs for the beginner.
ü
Because
numerous new concepts are sometime introduced in one lesson, lessons may have to
be divided into chunks.
Finally, the format of text reading
both on the computer and in the book has held the interest of young struggling
readers in the tutoring program. More importantly, the skills lessons
demonstrate to the college student the appropriate skills needed for an emergent
reader. Some first graders are not reading yet, and come to the Reading and Math
Center to improve their literacy. It is difficult to find appropriate short
skill activities for these readers; however, this program provides high quality
skill activities. The balance between interactive reading and skill lessons
provides a good model for the college student. First grade teachers could also
benefit from using this program to experience the balance between shared reading
and skill lessons.
Practical Homeschooling,
May/June 2001: Make Reading Fun
If you love Usborne books then you'll love Make Reading Fun,
an interactive CD-ROM-based program that will reinforce your child's reading
skills. Make Reading Fun is separated into four progressive modules. Each
module features three full-sized Usborne books. Usborne books can stand alone,
but in this case the CD-ROMs add to the books. Each CD-ROM includes video helps,
an interactive storybook, and various activities, including some which are
printable.
The interactive storybooks match the Usborne books exactly. Just
click a button and the story is read to you. As each word is read it changes
colors so you can follow along. This is the equivalent of a finger pointing
under the word. I have to say that 'interactive' is a bit of a stretch. On some
pages you can click on a picture and it will tell you its name; other pages
however do not have this option.
The learning exercises consist of various phonics activities.
There are at least two types of activities per book and they are varied and
interesting. The exercises for each book vary but work on such skills as vowel
sounds, sequencing, word endings, puzzles, blends, letter sounds, word
recognition, and vocabulary building. One problem with the learning exercises is
that if you click on the wrong answer nothing happens. You just keep clicking on
items until you find the right answer. This may be confusing to some children
who don't know they have the wrong answer.
The printable activities are ideal for the homeschool family
because they reinforce what is learned in the games and book. If you need to
reinforce a particular skill just print up one of the workbook activities. Here
are the books included with each module.
Module 1 Ages 2-4
Module 2 Ages 3-5
Module 3 Ages 4-6
Module 4 Ages 5-8
-
Word Detective
-
Puzzle Jungle
-
What's Inside You
If you would like a supplemental reading program that contains
actual learning activities and not just pointless games then Make Reading Fun
is for you!
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001: Make
Reading Fun! Module 2
Includes three CD-ROMs and the following books: Alphabet Book,
First 100 Words, and The Silly Sheepdog. Strategies for continued
success are formed here. Phonics activities include common word endings, as well
as short and long vowels with silent "e". Putting these words together
into sentences provides an opportunity for contextual learning, and builds the
confidence necessary for more difficult material to come in the following
modules. Includes FUN-filled games teaching alphabetical order, and upper and
lower case recognition.
Includes parent/teacher information
-Program Overview, Schematic and Printable Activities Table of
Contents plus Activity Instructions, Thematic Unit Ideas, Lesson Outline,
Checklist of Skills and Certificate of Completion specific to each CD-ROM title.
Child activities on CD-ROM within this
module
-3 Interactive Storybooks, 7 Fun Exercises, 6 Help Videos, 41
Printable Activities (with 22 instructional helps for parents).
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Windows 95 or 98; Pentium 166; 16 MB RAM; 8X CD-ROM drive; sound
card; web browser recommended (for maximum image quality on printable activity
materials.)
Mac OS 7.5.1 or higher; Power Macintosh; 16 MB RAM; CD-ROM
drive; sound card; web browser required for viewing videos and accessing
printable materials.
This program includes Macromedia Flash and Adobe Acrobat Reader
& Installer necessary for software performance.
There is a lot to this package so I will go through each
book/CD-ROM set one at a time.
The first set includes a book titled Usborne Farmyard
Tales Alphabet Book and it's companion CD-ROM.
I really like how the book is set up. To illustrate it let's
take the letter "j". In the upper left-hand corner is the upper and
lowercase "j". At the bottom of the page there is the alphabet with
the letter "j" highlighted. Above that are two sentences (the last on
being a question about finding something in the picture) that have some of the
words starting with the letter "j". Those words have the "j"
(upper or lowercase) highlighted on them. And finally taking up most of the page
is a very cute and colorful scene that relates to the sentences. This book also
has a little duck hidden on every page for your child to find (MaryJo loves
that) and at the back of the book has pictures of everyday objects with their
names below them that they can go back in the book and find. It also has a big
colorful alphabet on the last page.
The CD-ROM is divided into 4 sections. They are:
1. The computer version of the above book that is read to your
child and has lots of things for them to click on (which really adds to the
fun).
2. Games. This is where your child can practice putting letters
in alphabetical order, matching upper and lowercase letters, and also play a
vowel sound game. They all have different levels so they can be challenged no
matter where they are.
3. Help Videos. There is one that explains to parents how to use
the program (and gives ideas for games and activities to learn letter sounds and
words), one that teaches a alphabet game, and one with a class that sings the
alphabet song and holds up the letters as they go. MaryJo loves that, she has
sung along with them many times.
4. Printable activities. There are too many to mention but some
of the things that can be printed are: information for parents, letter
writing practice worksheets for kids, flash cards, card games, dot-to-dots,
mazes and so much more including a certificate to give your child when they have
finished the first CD-ROM. MaryJo really enjoys practicing writing her letters.
She is starting kindergarten next year so it is nice knowing that she will be
ready.
The second set includes a book titled The First Hundred
Words and it's companion CD-ROM.
The book has a small sentence (such as "In the living
room" or "Getting dressed") at the top left-hand corner of each
two-page spread. Underneath that is a big picture filled with fun things to look
at. Underneath that are people, animals, or everyday objects with their name
under them (for example on the first two-page spread it has a picture of a baby
with "baby" written underneath it). The child can then
"read" the word baby and find the baby in the big picture above it. On
average there are about 7 objects to find on each two-page spread. Some other
fun things about this book are that you can find the duck on each two-page
spread and the back of the book has matching and counting activities.
The CD-ROM is divided into 4 sections. They are:
1. The computer version of the above book is a lot of fun. It
takes each word one at a time and gives a sentence for it and then asks your
child to click on that picture. MaryJo loves it because it will only highlight
the correct picture so she never gets it wrong. There is also a lot of
encouragement form the narrator.
2. Games. There are two games. One with word endings and one
with vowel sounds.
3. Help Video. There is one that explains to parents how to use
the program with this book.
4. Printable activities. Again there are too many to mention but
some of the things that can be printed are: lists of sight words, a card game,
sentences to go along with the story, and so much more including a certificate
to give your child when they have finished the second CD-ROM.
The third and final set includes a book titled The Silly
Sheepdog and it's companion CD-ROM.
This book also has a small sentence (such as "This is Apple
Tree Farm") at the top of each page. Underneath there is a picture and
underneath that there are a few more sentences. It is designed so that your
child can read the simpler sentences at the top and you can read the ones at the
bottom. Again there is a duck to find on each page.
The CD-ROM is divided into 4 sections. They are:
1. Children can read along in their book with the narrator. The
pictures are animated and your child gets to click on the duck in each page.
2. Games. There are two games. One with long vowels and one that
has your child sort long and short vowels.
3. Help Video. There are two that explain to parents how to use
the program with this book and how to extend their love for reading.
4. Printable activities. Again there are too many to mention but
some of the things that can be printed are: a chores calendar, pages to make
their own stories, characters for puppet shows, and lots of games as well as
many other things including a certificate to give your child when they have
finished the third CD-ROM.
This reading package is AWESOME!!! Think about the value that
you are getting when you buy this for your child. Not only do you get three high
quality books (which we all know can be expensive) but their companion CD-ROMs
are packed with enough fun and learning to keep them entertained and learning
for years. In an age where just one CD-ROM can cost half as much as this kit
does, this package is something you shouldn't pass up!! Remember too that it can
be passed down to your younger children (I am planning to do the same when Eric
(2 and 1/2) is a little older).
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