Learn to Read with Reading Kingdom And ASD Reading Reviews

This article is in collaboraton with Reading Kingdom.

Over the last few weeks the Crew have been exploring Reading Kingdom and some have been using ASD Reading. Reading Kingdom, is a reading and writing system developed by Dr. Marion Blank, a world-renowned expert on literacy and the Director of the Light on Learning Institute at Columbia University. It uses a 6 skill model of reading instruction that incorporates elements of phonics and whole language while teaching additional skills required for reading and writing success without requiring kids to learn any complicated rules.

Reading Kingdom is an online reading course available for use in schools or at home to help teach children to read and help them learn to read better. It is designed for children ages 4-10 or grades preschool through third grade as well as struggling readers who would read at one of these levels.

Customizing to your child is done through each child taking a Reading Skills survey when they start the program. Through this it can see where your child is at and target their weaknesses while moving forward on their strengths. Each child begins in a different spot. They do not have to start on page one and work through the year but start where they are at and move forward from there. Reading Kingdom also helps parents as well as students by providing progress reports including strengths and weaknesses. This shows their improvement through the course. Your child, through the individualization, will receive extra help in areas that they were weaker in while not having to repeat and work on areas that they are strong in.

Fewer than one in five words can be “sounded out”, and too often, phonics is the only method used to teach. While reading requires six skills, Phonics teaches only one. Reading Kingdom teaches all six:

1. Sequencing

2. Writing

3. Sounds

4. Meaning

5. Grammar

6. Comprehension

The program adapts to any child, and is fun, so children think they’re playing a game.

Some members of the Review Crew were given access to ASD Reading, an easy-to-use online program that teaches students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to read, write and comprehend.

Many ASD students are taught with methods that do not work for children on the spectrum, with the result that the majority never gain the ability to read with fluency or understanding. The innovative content and methods of ASD Reading enable these children to achieve success – even when they are non-verbal (i.e.: non-speaking).

ASD Reading offers unique instruction methods not found in other programs:

1. It requires no prerequisite skills – all children can use the program-even those who are non-verbal.

2. It uses graphics, audio and animation extensively to reinforce
meaning.

3. It links written and spoken language so that one mirrors and reinforces the other.
It provides customized instruction that adapts to each child’s specific skills and needs.

4. It systematically assesses a child’s skills and overcomes error patterns and difficulties.

Our Crew Members have been reviewing one or the other of these programs, so that YOU may be better informed. You will find a wealth of information from the reviewers, along with their personal thoughts on the two programs.