Modules
All of the following modules are included in the standard licensing
package.
The Library
This the original core product around which the Literacy Toolbox has been
built. Each exercise consists of a short chapter from a book - 50 to 200
words depending on reading level. The Student progresses through the text
tapping one key to advance to the next word in focus or another key to
vocalize the text (‘Tap to Hear’).
The library contains 300 ‘books’ each with an average of 5 ‘chapters’ of
between 50 and 200 words depending on reading level. Most of the books are
non fiction dealing with topics designed to be actually interesting to
students in the relevant age range. (sports, make-up, pop culture, pop
science, philosophy etc.)
Reading starter
Most of the modules in the Literacy Toolbox are aimed at children who
failed to make sufficient progress using just phonics. The reading starter
module is for the youngest reading students for whom phonics is in the
process of failing or for whom there is a danger of phonics failing.
It is easier to deal with a reading deficit whilst it is forming rather
than wait till it has established itself with negative associations and
unhelpful expectations.
A short burst of perceptual learning will give the child confidence in
their own abilities and give them a direct interest by exposing them to
material which is interesting in its own right.
Jumpstart
This is a smaller library of reading exercises for students aged 7-9
Spelling
The spelling module is focused on the most commonly misspelled words and
is based on the look, cover, write, check strategy (LCWC) The teaching
format does not allow children to fail. If the student wants to they can
look at the word before they type each letter although the word is never
there whilst they type and they must always make an attempt at the next
letter before they get to see the word. For the student it is not a
question of succeeding or failing it is a question of how little ‘help’
they can get away with: they always end up getting the word ‘right’; they
always get a tick.
Comprehension
Combines the core ‘tap for help’ reading support system with
comprehension questions that target both literal and inferential
comprehension skills.
Dictation (x4)
We initially developed dictation exercises as a favour for one of our
customers but we were shocked at how much other customers responded to it.
Dictation develops writing stamina, spelling and punctuation skills.
Dictation is tainted by historical association with an overly strict and
traditional teaching regime where dictation was given at a uniform
pace. Past misuse is no reason, however, to ignore dictation as a
teaching tool. In our modern re-incarnation of this ancient teaching
exercise students control the rate of dictation and can repeat any phrase
as often as they wish. They can also get automated help spelling any
words they are not sure of.
Grammar Punctuation.
In the curricula of some educational localities a requirement for grammar
is making a comeback (in some it never left) This set of exercises deals
with identifying sentence components such as verb, noun adjective etc…
Sentence Builder
This exercise works works on comprehension from a slightly
different angle. Instead of answering questions about a passage, students
choose the word which most aptly completes a sentence. In doing so they
must comprehend not only the meaning of the sentence but also how well
each suggested word option ‘fits’ that meaning. This exercise also has a
spelling component to reinforce the word choice.