One powerful tool for improving your reading is listening to a story while you read it. You can check out a print or electronic copy of a book and listen to its audiobook, but there are also ebooks that are specially designed to highlight the words as you listen. Below are some of the websites and apps available to our students (the last two require library cards) that have read-along ebooks.
Sora is one of the ebook/audiobook/magazine websites that DCPS provides. (It's also an app.) Once you are logged into Sora using Clever, add DC Public Library's collection so you can search both collections. No library card is needed; all DCPS students have access through Sora. To browse the read-along ebooks, open the search box, click on Filters, select Read-along ebooks and then click Search. You can also highlight a paragraph in a chapter book, and it will give you an option to have it read to you.
You can access Sora through Clever, the Lafayette tech page, the app or https://soraapp.com/library/dcpsdc
You can watch a video that demonstrates logging into Sora for the first time and adding libraries and one that walks you through Sora. You can change Sora's default language in the main menu (upper-right corner) under General Settings. This doesn't translate the books for you, but you'll be able to navigate the website in one of ten languages. The app automatically uses the language you've chosen for the device.
We also have a number of books that will read to you on our library catalog, Destiny Discover. You log in through Clever, in the Library Resources section. Down at the bottom of the Discover tab are Interactive eBooks. Most of these read the book to you and highlight the words. This has picture books and easy readers but also chapter books and graphic novels. Destiny Discover also has a computer-generated read-aloud built into all of its chapter ebooks.
Most classes are using Epic. Epic has a fantastic collection of ebooks and audiobooks. Check with your student's teacher for their class code. If your class isn't signed up, email rachel.leese@k12.dc.gov and I will add you to my class. If you search for "read to me," it will show you books that highlight the words as they read to you. Unfortunately, Epic is not fully free after school or in the summer.
This website is paid for by DCPL but you don't have to log in with a card to use it. There's a tab that says "Read Alongs" at the top of the website, but many of the books highlight what's being spoken, often a sentence at a time rather than individual words. Log in directly anywhere in DC with this link: https://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/autologin.aspx?userid=bQO1fMvcyqeRs%2BqQ6ChrOw%3D%3D
This is another DCPL resource, and this one you do need a library card to log in. It pairs a video of a picture book with a non-fiction ebook. Both formats highlight the words as you go along. https://www.dclibrary.org/bookflix
Hoopla has a large selection of ebooks, audiobooks and graphic novels available in a browser or in the app. This is a Montgomery County Public Library resource, and you can get a library card for free as a DC resident. You are limited to 10 checkouts a month. An email address is required to sign up for this. If you search for "read-along," you'll find thousands of options. Hoopla is a little hard to navigate, so watch this video tutorial, and definitely switch it to Kids Mode. https://www.hoopladigital.com/