https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy Students with weak literacy skills experience challenges throughout their schooling. Technology can be used jointly with teachers' instruction to support students' early literacy development. In fact, many technologies provide students the opportunity to work with differentiated materials that meet their individual needs. There are many digital tools that can be incorporated into daily lessons to promote best practices in literacy instruction (Graham et al., 2019). This padlet is a curation of digital tools that support elementary students in their development of early reading and writing skills. en-us 2021-03-18 22:18:37 UTC 2025-10-02 03:06:32 UTC hello@padlet.com jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327799544 Scholastic Story Starters “inspire students to write by serving up hundreds of writing prompts in creative combinations” (Story Starters, 2021). Scholastic Story Starters gives students ideas for “character, plot, and setting” (Story Starters, 2021).

Students can explore the themes of adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, or any combination of themes to allow for the ultimate creative writing experience. Students can also choose from various templates for writing and include a drawing to accompany their writing.]]> 2021-03-18 22:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327799544 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327810407 Little Bird Tales is a “digital storytelling and e-learning tool that can be implemented in hundreds of ways, and is great for kids of all ages, even for children who cannot yet read and write” (Little Bird Tales, 2021). Little Bird Tales can be used for reports, journals, creative writing, drawing, collaborative learning, and more.

Audio recording is a perfect tool for students who are in the beginning stages of writing. Differentiating writing instruction for students may include “differentiating the modality so that lower-ability students learn through talk or talk combined with writing” (Graham et al., 2019, p. 180, as cited in Rivard & Straw, 2000).]]> 2021-03-18 22:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327810407 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327812566 Storybird is a digital language arts tool that uses “illustrations to inspire students to write stories” (Storybird). Storybird includes a “standards-based writing curriculum that engages students with age-appropriate video tutorials, writing challenges, quizzes, and more” (Storybird). 

“Children can grow in their understanding of how print and sound work together through experimenting with writing” (Cabell et al., 2013, p. 651). Students can choose to read stories created by others from around the world or experimenting with writing by creating their own digital stories to share.]]> 2021-03-18 22:32:29 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327812566 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327824947 Lexia Core5 Reading “supports educators in providing differentiated literacy instruction for students of all abilities in grades pre-K-5” (Lexia Core5 Reading, 2020). This program provides students with learning opportunities in the “six areas of reading instruction (from phonological awareness to comprehension), targets skill gaps as they emerge, and provides teachers with data and resources for individual or small-group instruction” (Lexia Core5 Reading, 2020).

Lexia Core5 Reading is a great choice for students with weak literacy skills. Research shows that “an early-intervention, computer-based literacy program can be effective in boosting the phonological skills of children, resulting in significantly higher performance on blending and non-word reading tasks” (O’Callaghan et al., 2016, p. 556). Lexia Core5 provides students with personalized learning by “scaffolding instruction for students as they struggle and advancing them to higher levels as they demonstrate proficiency” (Lexia Core5 Reading, 2020).]]> 2021-03-18 22:39:39 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327824947 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327860160 Flyleaf Publishing is offering digital decodable readers as a free resource through the 2021-2022 school year. Students and teachers can access materials through their portal which are “organized by their phonics scope and sequence” (Flyleaf Publishing, 2021).

Materials can be shared using SMART Board technology for teaching foundational skills and close reading. Teachers can also access downloadable homework packets to reinforce skills taught during the lesson.]]> 2021-03-18 23:01:51 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327860160 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327861963 Wordwall can be used to create “interactive and printable activities” (Wordwall). Teachers can choose from shared activities, or use templates to enter their own content for students to review. Activities can be completed individually or in a multi-player format, where students can play against each other or work collaboratively to complete an assignment.]]> 2021-03-18 23:03:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327861963 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327883131 Epic is the “leading digital reading platform which is built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world’s best publishers that safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under” (Epic).

Epic provides students with many independent reading options across multiple languages and genres. “Epic learns your child’s preferences and recommends content that is aligned with their reading level and interests” (Epic). Students gain confidence in reading by using tools such as “follow-along-word or highlighted read-to-me books” (Epic).]]> 2021-03-18 23:15:42 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327883131 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327884301 Newsela contains “authentic content from over 100 of the most trusted names in publishing that is aligned to national and state standards” (Newsela, 2021). Assignments (comprehension quizzes, writing prompts, and annotations) based on the reading can be created and shared with students to ensure understanding.

Newsela is a great resource for struggling readers. Content is provided at five reading levels to ensure that students can access the texts regardless of their reading level. “Audio versions of the text provide students with additional scaffolds to help them access the materials” (Newsela, 2021). Content also covers “a range of topics and diverse perspectives, so every student feels represented and empowered” (Newsela, 2021).]]> 2021-03-18 23:16:23 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327884301 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327894951 Boom Cards are “self-grading exercises that are gamified for students and provide teachers with data” (Boom Cards, 2021). Teachers can create their own Boom Cards or purchase existing cards to use with their students. 

Boom Cards are a great way for students to learn and review content while incorporating technology use into their daily learning.]]> 2021-03-18 23:22:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327894951 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327897511 This phonemic awareness and phonics app is a supplement to the materials used in the Lively Letters reading program. Three engaging activities “incorporate and enhance the unique, multi-sensory features of the research-based Lively Letters program” (Lively Letters App, 2021).

The Lively Letters app incorporates “proven techniques to help even the most resistant learners of all ages” (Lively Letters App, 2021). Activities can be differentiated for students by “choosing which type of letters to use (lively vs. plain letters; lowercase vs. uppercase), having the ability to hear the sound, song, and letter story as needed, and recording and playing back the student’s voice” (Lively Letters App, 2021).]]> 2021-03-18 23:24:18 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1327897511 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1330233432 Readworks provides “free content, curriculum, and tools to power teaching and learning from Kindergarten to 12th grade” (Readworks, 2020). Readworks is “driven by cognitive science research; everything on Readworks is thoughtfully designed to provide high-impact instruction that builds better readers” (Readworks, 2020).

“Reading comprehension is the foundation for all other learning and knowledge. In our information age, students will fail if they cannot read and comprehend” (Readworks, 2020). Readworks provides educators with “what to teach and how to teach it” (Readworks, 2020). In addition, tools such as leveled versions of original passages, audio text, and vocabulary supports provide differentiated instruction for struggling readers.]]> 2021-03-19 15:25:41 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1330233432 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1331605970 Fluency Tutor for Google is a digital reading assessment tool that “tracks and assesses oral reading progress” (Fluency Tutor, 2021). Fluency Tutor for Google lets teachers share reading passages with students and receive recordings back for review. Students can build confidence and understanding through the use of text-to-speech, dictionary, and translation support tools.

“Studies have found strong associations between reading fluency and overall reading achievement at grade levels ranging from the primary grades to college readers” (Fluency Tutor, 2021). Fluency Tutor has a library of over 500 leveled reading passages to ensure all students have access to readable text. Teachers can use Fluency Tutor to “identify struggling readers and introduce reading intervention plans” (Fluency Tutor, 2021).]]> 2021-03-19 22:05:07 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1331605970 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332899358 2021-03-20 18:09:19 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332899358 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332912973 2021-03-20 18:18:06 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332912973 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332917250 2021-03-20 18:20:55 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332917250 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332923100 2021-03-20 18:24:52 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332923100 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332928016 2021-03-20 18:27:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1332928016 jboissonnault https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1333364691 2021-03-21 01:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/jboissonnault/tech4earlyliteracy/wish/1333364691