What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
What Works Clearinghouse is a valuable resource for discovering and implementing proven strategies and interventions. By providing a clear, research-based understanding of what works in reading instruction, WWC helps educators make informed decisions about the best practices and programs to support struggling readers, particularly those with learning disabilities.
Key Resources:
Intervention reports- detailed reports on different educational interventions, including those for students with disabilities. These reports assess the effectiveness of various programs and strategies, such as reading interventions for students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities.
Practice guides - research-based practice guides for teachers, which include recommendations on how to implement successful reading strategies. These guides often focus on specific populations, such as students with disabilities, and include step-by-step instructions on how to apply effective instructional methods.
Reading Rockets is an excellent resource for educators, parents, and caregivers, focusing on helping students—especially those with disabilities—learn to read. It provides a wealth of evidence-based information and strategies designed to support early and struggling readers.
What you can find?
Articles and videos about evidence-based strategies for improving vocabulary and reading comprehension, instructional strategies for best practice on teaching reading to struggling learners and much more.
Epic! is a digital library for children that provides access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and educational videos. It is designed to help struggling readers by offering a variety of engaging content, along with interactive features to make learning to read both fun and educational.
Wide Variety of Books: Epic! has a large collection of books across all reading levels, from pre-kindergarten through middle school. It includes fiction and nonfiction titles, catering to a wide range of interests.
Audiobooks and Read-Aloud Features: For struggling readers, Epic! provides audiobooks and read-aloud options. These features allow students to listen to stories while following along with the text, which helps with pronunciation, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Interactive Features: The platform includes interactive tools, such as quizzes and vocabulary games, that reinforce what students are learning and make reading more engaging.
Teacher Tools: Educators can create personalized reading assignments for students, track their progress, and monitor time spent on reading. Teachers can also assign specific books to practice skills like phonics, sight words, or reading comprehension.
Starfall is an interactive, web-based resource that offers a wide range of activities designed to teach early literacy skills, such as phonics, reading comprehension, and phonemic awareness. It is especially beneficial for students with disabilities as it uses visually appealing games, animations, and songs to engage learners.
Phonics and Letter Recognition: Students can practice letter sounds, blending, and word building through interactive games.
Read-Along Stories: Starfall offers a library of simple, interactive stories with read-aloud features, allowing students to follow along with the text while listening to correct pronunciation.
Games and Activities: A variety of games are available to help reinforce reading concepts such as letter sounds, rhyming, and word recognition in an enjoyable way.
Personalized Learning: Starfall allows students to progress at their own pace, which is beneficial for students with learning disabilities who may need more time or individualized instruction.
NOTE: Starfall is free for some basic resources, and there is a paid version for full access to its learning modules, making it an accessible and enjoyable tool for students with disabilities to improve their reading skills.
Reading Eggs is an interactive, web-based program designed to help children develop foundational reading skills. It uses a combination of engaging games, songs, and animated characters to make learning to read enjoyable for young learners, particularly those who struggle with reading.
Reading Eggs makes reading fun and accessible for struggling learners through interactive games, visual cues, and gradual skill-building exercises. By combining engaging visuals with effective reading strategies, it helps students stay motivated and improve their reading abilities in an enjoyable way.