Creator: Educational Utilities | visit site
Grade Range: K - 11
<i>Read the Words</i> is a site that allows students to submit almost any text material and HEAR it read aloud. The languages offered include English, Spanish, and French. You can select the speed at which the text will be read and use a wide variety of formats including Microsoft Word, PDF, a website URL, anything copied and pasted, or from RSS feeds. Likewise, students can listen to the oral text online, download it to the desktop or MP3 players, post readings online in several forms, and even create podcasts with the selected material. Users can even modify the reading avatar’s appearance by selecting from those available, both male and female. <b>Beware: inappropriate words will not be filtered, and anything typed is pronounced. </b>
In the Classroom
Primary or resource reading teachers may want to use this site for students to practice reading fluency "side by side" with the online avatar. World language teachers and teachers of limited English speakers will love this website as reinforcement for language learning. Students can listen as they read. They can also practice their pronunciation and compare it with any selected avatar. Use the oral readings on an interactive whiteboard or projector (with speakers turned up) for class dictations and discussion starters. Preview the vocabulary words in any file or website by selecting the read/edit option before students listen to it. Check school policies regarding individual student accounts on web sites. <a href=" http://www.teachersfirst.com/whats-hot/policy-tips.cfm#8">Here are some tips </a> on managing student memberships that require email. <b>Beware - if you are having students use this site, "inappropriate" words will not be filtered, and anything typed is pronounced. So be sure students are aware of guidelines and consequences.</b>
At Home
Allow your student the freedom to explore interesting, but challenging sites independently. Be sure to supervise the site choice.
Tags
podcasts, listening, text to speech,
Subjects
English, ESL/ELL, French, Language Arts, Reading, Spanish, Special Education, World Languages, World Languages,