Learn2Read

**There are now 6 programmes in the L2R series... after reading scroll down to the links to download these for FREE! What is Learn2Read?**
The Learn to Read series of DLCs have been trialled and developed as a need for both integrating the computer into the daily classroom programme, and to help children to learn to read by being motivated through using the computer as a learning tool. The series is skills based on knowledge acquisition needed in order to “learn to read”. Programme one focuses on introducing the alphabet letters and common high frequency words, programme two completes the alphabet and introduces digraphs, programme three introduces the short vowel sounds whilst the high frequency words get harder for each. It is great if you can print out the poems in and bind them as a read-a-long book for shared reading in your library corner too. Each week there is a focus for a phonic sound (letter, digraph, vowel, blend - phoneme), high frequency words and then basic poetry to reinforce the “new” words in context. Along with each weekly photocopy master for the poems there is included the weekly word sheet. With this sheet the children are encouraged to repeatedly write the new word, firstly in “rainbow colours” (5 times with crayon in enlarged text) and then with their pencil on the right hand side. The children have to then locate (“eye-spy”) the word amongst other similarly spelt words – therefore the children are using visual discrimination and hopefully because of the repeated exposure to the new word they will remember what it looks like. The children then are fully immersed in learning words by having the poems read to them, by reading along with the computer and then by reading the words in isolation (word of week sheet) and in context. It is a formula that works well. Because the poems are an integral part of the “learn to read” process it is recommended that the children’s individual poem books be kept in their reading bag for home reading each night, at the end of the week the new poems are added once they have had repeated exposure to the new words. At the beginning of each week the teacher can explicitly show the weekly page on the DLC (computer based) that the children will be using at literacy time, so the expectation is clear when the child has computer time they can access the appropriate weekly focus page and can revisit earlier weekly pages for maintenance. Organisation is the key to any well run classroom programme and we have found that the children (and parents) like the structure to this early literacy learning. In the classroom have a clearly defined area where the children (and parents) can see what the weekly focus is for sounds and words. The letter/digraph/vowel/blend sounds are set up with pictures, the words are clearly on display and an enlarged version of the poem is available. In this area use a variety of resources from cut-out magazine pictures, clip-art pictures, bought resources from other sources that support the sound or word focus. Children can then visit this area as a rotation in the literacy programme. Each morning read through together what the focus is for the sound/words of the week, even point and read out all the pictures too, so that the children can get the appreciation of 1-1 pointing/matching voice to picture/text. Later on when learning the digraphs, divide the pictures into the digraph sound at the beginning of the word or end (see photograph below). To be prepared have each “learn to read” programme in small concertina files that have pre-copied each poem/word of the week sheet. In this way you can quickly set up each weekly display and have extra copies on hand (especially in the case of new arrivals in a Year 0 class), plus cater for individual learning needs. The “Learn to Read” series runs well along the school term for each programme. However, some children will start school with advanced skills therefore it is easy to cater for individual needs by assessing what the child knows and then starting them on which ever programme “best fits” their learning needs. Justine has taught programmes 1 then 2 and gone back and had a term of consolidating all knowledge for the children that needed extra assistance for learning… this worked well, whilst a group of children who were ready for the next programme moved on. It is common to have all 3 programmes operating at once, and this works best along side your guided reading groups. You may find that you will have 2-3 display boards with each weekly focus for catering for individual needs. It is also common for a child to be on two programmes at once. e.g. if the child knows all the alphabet and digraph sounds but is unable to consolidate the basic words – then the child would be using programmes 1 & 2 – the words/poems would be the focus whilst the alphabet/digraph work would be maintenance. Also some children have been on their own individual words and followed the phonic focus for each week instead. It is easy to adapt to suit any learning need or strength.
 * Structure**
 * Organisation**
 * Catering for Individuals**

I would love to get your feedback or answer any questions at the above email.**
 * Contact**
 * Please email** **digitallearning@hotmail.com** **with your feedback on the Learn to Read DLC series or if you have any difficulties and we will try to help.**
 * The Learn2Read DLCs are available for free download at** [|www.mediafire.com] **by accessing the links below.

=__//Download the DLCs here: All L2R links checked & updated Jan09//__= [|Learn2read programme 1 - Alphabet] [|Learn2read programme 2 - Last of Alphabet and beginning digraphs] [|Learn2read programme 3 - Short Vowel sounds] [|Learn2read programme 4 - End digraphs] [|Learn2read programme 5 - Beginning Blends] [|Learn2read programme 6 - End Blends]

**Photos of possible displays in room**
(these are changed weekly and it is also great for showing differentiated learning programmes that are happening in your classroom). 1. **Have an area to display the letters/phonic focus for the week**. Encourage children to bring along items that start with this letter for your display. It is always good to use a variety of resources. Below shows display for one group only with the letters, words and poems of the week on display. Make your display interesting using many resources from pictures the children can cut out of magazines, clipart, poems about alphabet letters or purchased resources. 3. Print out images from DLC to create a great learning activity.** At the beginning of a new digraph week I get the children to sort the clipart images by whether they start or end with that digraph sound. Children use 4-5 colours to make "rainbow" words in the centre of the worksheet. This way the children form the letters of the word correctly. They then visually locate the word around the sheet being careful to discriminate carefully (some sheets are very tricky). Lastly the child writes the word correctly down the right hand side of the sheet.
 * 2. Have the weekly learning focus on display for each group.**
 * [[image:DLC_small1.jpg]] [[image:DLC_small3.jpg]]
 * 4. Children can complete Word of the Week sheet to learn the focus words.**

__1: Do I need the internet? - Yes.__ Each of the buttons that you press has been hyperlinked. All of the words and poems are internally hyperlinked on your machine (no internet access required). However, all of the phonic sound work and maintenance games have been hyperlinked to sites on the internet (www); therefore you will need to make sure you have your internet connection on. All of the sites have been researched and played by Maree Gunn and Justine Driver to ensure that they are suited to the level of early literacy learning and are “safe” sites to use within a school setting. A list of the recommended sites is below. __2: Does it matter if I am PC or MAC? – No.__ As long as you have Microsoft PowerPoint and internet access you are able to run a DLC on either platform. You need to train the children however how to exit the internet from each platform. __3: How do I exit the PowePoint show?__ To exit the Learn to Read DLCs you need to simply push the escape button.
 * Technical Information**
 * PC:** On a PC when you access the internet from the DLC – the internet explorer page will automatically open on top of the DLC, you simply teach the children to cross-out of the “learning activity” by the red box on the top right corner and then the PowerPoint DLC is returned.
 * MAC:** On a Mac when you click on a hyperlinked button to the internet it drops down the PowerPoint DLC and then opens up the internet programme (e.g. Safari) in a new window, therefore once you cross-out of the “learning activity” you have to re-launch the PowerPoint DLC by clicking on the “P” in the dock and it brings back up the DLC (you must have your dock activated for on). Justine currently uses Mac with her New Entrant class and they can do this – so it can be done!