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    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
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    • environmental print
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    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
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    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
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    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
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    • cooking
      • new for us foods
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    • foundations
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      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
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      • speaking
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      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
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support for struggling readers: audiobooks

home / reading / support for struggling readers: audiobooks
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Score a FREE 3-month trial of Audible!

When seeking support for struggling readers, audiobooks are one of the first places families should look.

Guess what, friend? Listening to audiobooks counts as reading. Promise.

boy reading on kindle device

ย 

For many kids, reading is stressful, difficult, and painful.

From many adults, I hear:ย 

  • What should I do–my child hates reading!!
  • Is there a โ€˜quick fixโ€™ for my son, who struggles with reading?
  • My daughter tells me she canโ€™t read. Now what? I think she can read–I just think she doesn’t like to read.
  • How should I react when the summer reading conversation causes stress, anger, or anxiety for my son?
  • What is better for my child–a regular book? an ebook? an audiobook?
  • Is there a tool available to make reading easier for my kids? More enjoyable?ย 

There’s no easy answer to any of these questions or concerns, but I will tell you this: for many kids, reading is a struggle.

And one of the things that people tend to ask me most when it comes to summer reading is how they can engage and support reluctant or struggling readers.

The reality is that often our reluctant readers are our struggling readers.

Not always, but often.

Often, these kids donโ€™t want to read because itโ€™s not easy for them. Itโ€™s work. Itโ€™s hard, and itโ€™s not even a little bit enjoyable. The texts that they are able to decode are โ€˜babyishโ€™, boring, or low-interest.

boy reading on a kindle device

I’m a longtime user of audiobooks, and, in particular, I love Audible’s seamless integration with multiple devices and wide range of texts. I cannot recommend Audible for kids highly enough.

Especially for our struggling readers, audiobooks add that extra layer of support. And when kids are able to follow along in the text, listen, and watch as words are highlighted, it’s even more of a win.

Check out the incredible titles that can be accessed on Kindle books with narration.

Hereโ€™s the skinny. . .

Support for Struggling Readers — Audiobooks

You may have heard of Audible.

Audible, Inc. is all about spoken audio. Audio everything: entertainment, information, and educational programming, and all of it’s online.ย Audible sells digital audiobooks, radio and TV programs, and audio versions of magazines and newspapers.

ย 

Want the BEST Audible deal right now?

Score THREE FREE MONTHS of Audible Premium Plus for PRIME Members!ย (You must be a new member or have not been a member in recent months!)

Score a FREE 3-month trial of Audible!

ย 

Just listening to books–and following along in the text as it’s read–is super helpful for struggling readers because audiobooks:

  • can motivate readers
  • demonstrate how fluent reading should sound
  • allow readers to really enjoy the story without being frustrated
  • make reading ‘multi-sensory’ which means that readers are seeing and hearing simultaneously
  • help reinforce the sound-symbol relationship between letters
  • remove the pressure for readers who are constantly trying to keep up.

And though it’s a simple process, this multi-sensory approach to reading has huge payoffs for our struggling–and emerging–readers.

S29_-Immersion-Reading-long

Here’s how the Kindle + Audible combo works:

support for struggling readers immersion reading teachmama.com 1

1. You buy a Kindle book. (Or get it FREE with Kindle Unlimited!!)

Very simply, head to your Amazon account, and choose a book that interests you.

You don’t need a Kindle; you can download the Kindle App and use it on just about any device.

support for struggling readers immersion reading teachmama.com 2

2. Add the Audible audio companion.

Right now SO MANY Audible audio companions are deeply discounted. There are tons and tons of titles your kids will love for a few dollars. Check it out.

support for struggling readers immersion reading teachmama.com 3

support for struggling readers immersion reading teachmama.com cover

3. Then listen while you read along.

Thanks to โ€œWhispersync for Voiceโ€ technology, you can read the book on your tablet, then listen to it on your smartphone and never lose your place. It’s perfect for keeping kids engaged in texts wherever you are!

support for struggling readers immersion reading teachmama.com 3Totally cool things you need to know:

  • Theย narration speed can be adjusted. Maybe go with the 0.75x speed for an emerging reader. Try the 1x speed for struggling readers. Stronger readers may lean towards 1.25x speed.
  • Kids love the Popular Highlights. Popular Highlights on any Kindle book show just that–popular passages, sections, or chapters that were highlighted by other readers.
  • The X-Ray is addicting. The X-Ray shows an in-depth look at where characters or terms were mentioned in the book.
  • Most books have super-cool bonus features. Reading Guide questions are super to use as a starting point for discussion about the text. Some books even contain Bonus Scenes which I love. Often books include a short ‘About the Author’ section at the end. Word Wise is a new feature which helps readers understand the more difficult words. LOVE!

Here are my recommendations for middle ย readers. (And for a limited time, you can add narration for about $2.99 or less!)

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

ย 

ย 

ย 

ย 

And if you’re okay spending a teeny bit more than $2.99 for narration, definitely check out these picks:

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

ย 

ย 

ย 

ย 

Some all-time favorite books? Books that will get kids laughing for sure??

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

ย 

ย 

ย 

Okay. I hit you with a lot here.

ย 

Real quick: Why are audiobooks such a big deal for struggling readers?

  • Theย combination of audio and visual hits multiple modes of learning. Not only are kids able to hearย how the words on the page should be read, but they are also able to see the words highlighted at the same time.
  • Kids get a chance to hear how fluent reading should sound.
  • Kids aren’t put on the spot, trying to decode the words themselves. It’s a no-stress situation!
  • It’s a great way to help put the pleasure back into reading so kids can enjoy the story without anxiety.

So check out some of the stories that ‘come to life’ and let me know what you think!

support for struggling readers immersion reading teachmama.com 3

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are โ€œaffiliate links.โ€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionโ€™s 16 CFR, Part 255: โ€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.โ€ ย For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.ย 

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
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Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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