Accessible eBooks Empower Struggling Readers

Bamboozle Your Students into Reading Engagement

2011-09-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Patricia Campbell, a Special Day Teacher at the Herbert Slater Middle School in Santa Rosa, CA shared this story with us...called the Tom Sawyer Effect. So clever!

Hasn’t every teacher yearned for their students to get excited about reading and learning? Do your students readily ask about reading material? Are they excited about comprehension scores? After teaching for over a decade, I have found these tasks can still be difficult when teaching students with LD.

These days, however, I personally witness students in my special day classroom responding to the curriculum with excitement, accuracy and retention. What's the secret to this success and how does Tom Sawyer fit in?

The Start-to Finish computer books have made reading enjoyable for my students. Each day they ask... “Are we going to read today?” Although we read many types of text, I know they are referring to Start-to-Finish. Why, because the human narration and easily written text keeps them interested and engaged.

We read, discuss and answer chapter questions huddled together on the rug. Students lean forward to listen to the audio. They read with no invitation from me. The computer books capture the attention of 'hard-to-reach' students. When we finish the

reading comprehension instruction with a democratically attained 90-100%, there are high-fives all around and I am so proud.

Much like when Tom Sawyer coerces his friends to complete his chore of painting the fence, these books coerce my students to participate in their learning. Even struggling readers jump at the

Even struggling readers jump at the chance to sit in my chair and mimic a narrative voice heard from the story, like Treasure Island and the Pirate accent. Ahoy Matey!

Today, I use Co-Writer, Read-Out-Loud and Write-Out-Loud, in conjunction with the Start-to-Finish ebooks. Students are able to build sentences, paragraphs and essays using word prediction software that ties vocabulary together from the novels they read to their own writing. Students with disgraphia are better writers now. They write in minutes what it took them previously to write in an hour.

Call me Tom Sawyer if you like, I have bamboozled my students into learning with these clever and engaging computer books. And you can too!

Sincerely Successful,

Patricia Campbell

Bookstream - Digital Library Service on the Cloud

2011-09-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Bookstream is a new digital library on the cloud that can help educators upload, deliver and manage accessible eBooks and textbooks.

Students can read their assignments on their iPads, Smartphones and laptops and use their Assistive Technology.

You can hop on the Internet, assign reading content, manage large digital files, protect copyright laws and comply with IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) 2004 to deliver core curriculum in accessible formats.

Watch a five minute demo: http://www.donjohnston.com/products/bookstream/index.html

Alternative High School Reading Curriculum

2011-07-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

High school students at Lone Oak High School in Kentucky use Start-to-Finish computer books as their alternative high school reading curriculum. These engaging titles support teens with learning and reading disabilities. Elaine Farris, special education teacher, shares her reading program and a student-mentoring project where general education students discuss books with her students and help them feel more independent.

Summer Reading Titles for Struggling Readers

2011-07-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for highly engaging books for your struggling, adolescent reader over the summer? Check out the titles of these e-computer books and paperbacks. The digital computer books are developed and written for teens who find it challenging to comprehend too much text and long vocabulary words. The human-narration is a definite plus, along with a multi-modal learning experience (hearing and seeing text read aloud) that will help your child enjoy reading maybe for the first time. Check it out!

Teacher Shares Enthusiasm for Technology!

2011-01-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

Mary Murnighan, a teacher in Charlotte County, FL wrote to me about her students using our accessible text reader to help them improve their reading. Can you tell how excited Mary is to use technology? What about her students?

Here's what she said...
Read:OutLoud has been operational in my class for just a few weeks and we’ve had lots of issues; mostly with big smiles attached to them. Kids jumping up and down, hi-fives, rushing to their teachers shouting..."this is great! What a problem to have our our schools.

We're now using the text reader software with learners in our middle schools who have all types of abilities. This includes students who struggle to keep up with grade level reading; students with advanced college reading levels and average readers. I don't know who was more impressed by this technology and how easy it was to integrate into our instruction; us (teachers) or our students.

This enthusiasm for learning with technology has prompted our administrators and teachers to ask our students to write comments about the software. We're planning to include their quotes on a proposal to the MacArthur Foundation for grant monies.

I am thrilled with the initial outcome of using technology as part of learning and look forward to working in our computer lab where more teachers, like me, will come to see how students react. For the next few weeks, it's going to be a frenzy among teachers to give up their lab time so others can see students in action, but we're willing to keep the momentum lively.

I LOVE it when this happens in our schools! You try something new and all of a sudden its the spark we need to expand what we're doing in classrooms. Try a new technology and see how easily you can make your students SMILE.

Send your "AHA" moments to vchernek@donjohnston.com.

Reading Accessible Books in DAISY and EPUB Formats Just Got Easier for Individuals with Disabilities

2010-11-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

NEW DAISYtoEPUB software conversion tool by Don Johnston, gives students with disabilities more choices.

National Dyslexia Month - Special Needs Examiner Says 'Building Wings' Motivates Kids with Reading Disabilities

2010-11-03T07:11:00.000-07:00

For National Dyslexia Month, (October 2010), special needs Examiner, Heather Sedlock says Building Wings book will motivate kids with dyslexia. Parents and teachers SEE http://tiny.cc/4kidswithDyslexia

Students Write Wiki About Building Wings

2010-06-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Highland Park Junior High in Saint Paul Public Schools, MN believe that all students in the Inclusion Program can learn to read and write given good instruction and opportunities for authentic reading and writing experiences. Here's a great WIKI the students created to discuss Don's book, Building Wings. Special thanks to Barb Wollak, SLP for sharing this creative learning approach!

Special2ME Reviews Building Wings

2010-06-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Leila Banks, Blog Writer and Book Reviewer of Special2ME, just reviewed Building Wings and loved it! She said "There is something to be said for teachers who believe that every student can & will achieve if given the proper motivation and age-appropriate books!" Read her review.

New Research Demonstrates Gains in Emergent Reading Skills for Adolescents with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

2010-04-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Don Johnston Incorporated, publisher of assistive technologies and literacy software for students with special needs, has shared new research to demonstrate improvements in the emergent reading skills of adolescents with autism, intellectual and multiple disabilities. The research was conducted by Penelope Hatch, Ph.D., CCC-SLP at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The seven-week intervention studied 43 students in total, ages 12 to 21, with diverse ethnicities and exceptionalities. Dr. Hatch designed the study to determine the effects on students’ daily reading experiences using age/ability-appropriate text with two groups of teachers: those trained to teach comprehensive literacy instruction and teachers without this training. Each student group read Don Johnston’s Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters, a collection of computer and paperback books designed for non-readers and students reading at beginning levels. They read for 30 minutes a day in self-selected reading assignments, teacher-led instruction or a combination of the two practices.

Dr. Penny Hatch - Research Study
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/literacy/research.html

Learn more About Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters:
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/literacy/index.html

Text Readers with Reading Supports Based on National Reading Panel

2010-04-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

Educators considering access to accessible books will want to learn more about the Read:OutLoud 6 text reader. This 'must-have' assistive technology tool was designed by AT Pioneer, Don Johnston. You can check how the tool was designed and all of the added features it has at www.donjohnston.com.

While you're there, you'll want to read the latest press release showcasing the 2010 VA statewide purchase of Read:OutLoud 6 to provide digital access to general ed. instruction. This state ACCESS initiative supports tens of thousands of students w/ IEPs. Read about it here: http://tiny.cc/VAAIMebookreadeader

Reading Curriculum for Students with Special Needs

2010-02-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

Julie W. Spedale, Director of the OPTIONS program for St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA uses the Start-to-Finish computer ebooks as her specialized reading curriculum to improve reading comprehension and fluency skills.

Ms. Spedale says, "When students are brought together through a compelling story, there is no telling how far that friendship and learning opportunity will grow."

http://www.donjohnston.com/educators/award_winning_schools/st_thomas_more.html

Independent eBook Review by Muncie Kardos, ConnSense Editor

2010-02-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Muncie Kardos, educator and editor of ConnSense Bulletin just wrote an independent product review of the Start-to-Finish Core Content computer books. She used the ebooks to provide support to a group of middle and high school students with disabilities to enable them to access and participate in the general education science and social studies curriculum. Read her review at http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/core_content/cc_review.html

Family Center on Technology & Disabilities Article

2009-11-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article from the Family Center on Technology and Disabilities, Washington DC about quality accessible software and ebooks written by Dr. Ben Satterfield at the Center for AT Excellence.

Mr. Satterfield said, “We thought that technology could be powerful for children with disabilities but we lacked the proof. We certainly have the proof now. The blessing for us personally is that technology has made an enormous difference for Blake. To have an 18-year-old with Down syndrome who can read almost anything, who knows more about Romeo and Juliet than I do, because of the Start to Finish books (http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/library/index.html). Blake can find his way around a computer because the computer environment is so friendly and patient. This has been a revelation for the entire family and has informed much of our work with AT and instruction.”

http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/displayNewsletter.php?newsletterID=10080

Research Associated with Start-to-Finish Computer Books

2009-09-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Read case studies, research and product reviews on the validity of Start-to-Finish computer and audio e-books.

The Start-to-Finish collection breaks students' failure cycle through a unique combination of written and formatted text. You can help your students who read below grade to:

focus their energy on the meaning of the text
enjoy new opportunities for word recognition and decoding
build vocabulary, fluency and reading comprehension
be empowered and self-motivated
build background knowledge
increase reading volume
enjoy a fun reading experience with titles aligned to required reading curriculum

Speech-Language Pathologist Shares Creative e-Book Blog

2009-02-25T06:46:00.000-08:00

Eric Sailers, M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist at LaMesa-Spring Valley School District and Crimson Center in CA shared with us an outstanding use of Web 2.0 skills using our Start-to-Finish book, The Tuskeegee Airmen. Check it out!

http://speechlanguagepathologysharing.blogspot.com/2009/02/chapter-7-summary-of-tuskegee-airmen.html

Annabel's Story- Thanks for writing to us!

2009-02-13T08:41:00.001-08:00

Annabel wrote to Don earlier this month. She said..."I use Cowriter and WriteoutLoud for homework and stuff I find on the Internet for things that I can't read. Before I used Cowriter, I struggled in every class. I felt everyone could read or write or do more than me. I got picked on. Then my special-education teacher Ms. Craig, told me that I qualify for an alpha smart and Write out Loud with Cowriter so I could do more assignments for all my teachers. I use them all the time!"

Read Annabel's Letter!
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/testimonials_reviews.html

Hear Don on LIVE Talk Radio - No Limits to Learning

2008-12-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

Lon Thornburg, Educator and Radio Talk Blog Host of "No Limits to Learning" interviewed Don Johnston today on why he wrote Building Wings. Hear Don read letters from students and talk about the impact his book has made on thousands of struggling learners.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nolimits2learninglive/blog/2008/12/01/Building-Wings-Don-Johnston-Shares-on-Student-Advocacy-and-Accommodation

Don's UDL Article Featured in Exceptional Parent Magazine

2008-09-23T14:13:00.001-07:00

Pick up the September issue of Exceptional Parent Magazine and read Don's article on "Learning Alternatives and Strategies for Struggling Students". This informative article will describe the three learning networks found in the brain and discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies and approaches. Check it out!

Readers' Theater Showcase 2008 Winners!

2008-09-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Visit the Don Johnston website to view the Readers’ Theater Showcase

These creative presentations submitted by special education teachers and their students will "knock your socks off" and give you some fabulous ideas to start your own student self-advocacy program! The winners of the 2008 contest are: Barb Wollack from Highland Park Junior High School in St. Paul, MN and Linda Bates, from Pomfret Community School, CT. View their award-winning digital storybook and wiki at www.donjohnston.com. Tell us what you think!

http://www.donjohnston.com/building_wings/rt_winner/readers_theater_winner.html

Read Along With Don - Live Narration of Building Wings

2008-04-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

You can now access the full version of Building Wings online and hear Don narrate his auto-biography. Visit www.donjohnston.com/buildingwingslive

Don Featured in AT NEWS as Leader in Assistive Technologies

2008-01-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

Read Don's Interview with John Williams, renown columnist and advocate for persons with special disabilities at www.ATNews.com

Reader's Theater Contest - WIN FREE Start-to-Finish Audio Book Collection!

2007-11-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

Educators and organizations are encouraged to share their creative models using the Reader's Theater in their school, classroom or club. Educators who submit a presentation, video or audio will be entered into a free drawing to win a Start-to-Finish audio and book collection, a value of $400. There is no obligation to purchase. Presentations will be showcased on the Don Johnston website in 2008, along with an open discussion forum about student self-advocacy.

Contest details at this link: www.donjohnston.com/building_wings/BW_ReadersTheaterContest.html.

Click on the student self-advocacy link to view videos from elementary, middle and high school students at Fairfax VA County Schools, as they describe their writing camp and self-advocacy program using Building Wings and assistive technologies.

Empower Struggling Learners with FREE Reader's Theater!

2007-11-08T14:35:00.001-08:00

Educators at Schaumburg School District 54, IL developed the Reader's Theater using Don Johnston’s autobiography, Building Wings: How I Made It Through School. The book describes Don’s personal journey growing up as a struggling learner and traces his life through an incredible list of challenges, triumphs and accomplishments. The Reader's Theater takes students on a path of self-discovery to tap into their individual learning potential. Students can explore their learning styles and differences by acting out scenes and documenting their feelings.

The Building Wings Reader's Theater program includes:

 An audio of Building Wings, personally narrated by Don
 Reader's Theater Overview
 Compare and Contrast Worksheet
 Visualization Charts

Autistic Students Respond to Building Wings!

2007-09-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Dr. Mary Spence. I am a School Psychologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a Board Member of the Asperger Society. For many years, I have been impressed with Don Johnston’s company and have seen many students benefit greatly from the use of his programs.

As a school psychologist, I have watched students who really struggled with academic skills make significant gains, once a comprehensive assistive technology process was in place. When this process identifies specific types of difficulties, Don’s products were often the “key to the puzzle” to support students’ learning challenges. Don’s company is responsive to customers’ needs and for incorporating information into the future development of his cutting-edge products. His leadership and product philosophy represent a quintessential approach to applying neurodevelopmental models into his products and professional services.

In these questioning times of whether technology works to improve student outcomes, I continue to be impressed with Don’s mission of incorporating the latest research and feedback from school personnel, students and their families, and experts in the fields of literacy, neuroscience, and technology. Don’s company strives to remain receptive to feedback in a way that keeps them attentive to details. This makes his products go from good to great to empower struggling learners to try new strategies if initial attempts aren’t effective.

In 2007, my colleague, Dr. Richard Howlin and I conducted a 6 week, Saturday workshop for middle school boys with Aspergers or high functioning Autism on the issues surrounding transition. For the curriculum, we used a comprehensive schema for transition, which included 4 growth processes, each broken down into 3 sub-skills. At this same time, Don had just released his auto-biography, Building Wings. This book is part of the highly successful Start to Finish collection of audio, computer and paperback books for struggling readers. After reading the book, we thought, “What a great addition to the curriculum to help our students develop some of the critical skills that the schema focuses on, including Self-Launching, Evaluative Thinking, Productive Thinking and Communication.” Little did we know that Don would personally autograph each book we purchased. This definitely made a noticeable impression on the most reserved boys in our class! Don also agreed to do a live conference call with us to discuss thoughts about Building Wings. This was a BIG highlight of the group’s work together and clearly was a hit with my students and enhanced their optimism, courage and support!

We believe that Don Johnston and his company are significant contributors to building a base of resilience for all kinds of struggling learners needs and that their constant vigilance to feedback from customers and attentiveness to both the field of neuroscience and advancements in technology make them a true leader in intervention for all kids. Thank you, Don, for making a real difference in the lives of struggling learners!

Struggling Learners Require Engagement and Multiple Learning Approaches

2007-06-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

This year I introduced assistive technology, to five fifth grade students and one fourth grade student. The software I focused on was Start-to Finish Books, Neos, SOLO and Intellitools for math. It’s nice because they have access to laptops in their classrooms. In combination with my students learning to use technology I pared a self-advocacy component as a holistic approach to their education.

We started with Building Wings by Don Johnston. They became enamored with Start-to-Finish Books as well as the idea of identifying someone else with learning difficulties. We spent a week discussing Don’s experiences and relating them to their own. They were then able to discuss what they felt were their own strengths and weaknesses. We have continued this conversation throughout the year as new strengths and weaknesses were discovered. This is a group that has never been self reliant so working with them to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and becoming more vocal about their needs has been very important.

The way my students dove into Building Wings was absolutely amazing. They couldn’t put the book down, and actually asked me if I could get additional books about Don for them. They also loved the format of the Start-To-Finish books and requested other titles. This experience generated interest in books other than what they were familiar or comfortable with. Since then they have read Earthquake, Hurricane, and The Secret of Old Mexico. The students have also become more vocal with their needs. For example, we were completing brainstorming activities using paper/pencil and a couple of the boys asked if they could use their Neos. I was amazed that they had thought to ask. Some have also begun using keyboarding programs in order to make typing easier.

Their ability to relate to Don’s experiences and learn from what Don shared was more than I could have ever expected. I have always encouraged my students to be more self-reliant but this book and the self-advocacy concepts I taught have helped to make these concepts come to life.

Jill Cicero
Special Education Teacher
Fairfax County Public Schools

7th Grader, Alex, Takes Charge!

2006-12-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

Alex, 7th Grade Student talks about Don's Book

What did you think about Don’s book?
"It’s good. He was brave to tell his story. It made me think about my struggles."

What steps did you take to help you learn in a more effective way?
"I’ve asked my teachers if I could take tests in the hallway and have less distractions."

What advice can you give to other kids about their unique learning styles?
"It’s ok to ask for help. Find a way that works best for you."

How has Don’s book inspired you?

"Don let’s me know that it’s not just me who struggles, there is a solution and a way to figure it out."

What do you think about Don Johnston?

"It’s great that he took his learning disability, toughed it out and then started helping others. If I had to tell other people about Don I would say he’s not just important to me he’s important to other people like teachers and kids."

Parents Praise Don's Book!

2006-12-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Joy Cunningham, PA Parent and Elementary Teacher’s Assistant

Thanks Don for sharing your story!
Recognizing how a child learns is so important. Building Wings is a must-read not only for struggling learners and their parents and teachers, but for everyone. Don’s book is a reminder that as good parents and the “first teachers” of our children, we must remember that children learn differently and at their own pace. The earlier a child learns how to be successful with his/her unique abilities to learn, the more self confidence they will have. Giving praise and encouragement is one of Don’s strongest messages, because a child who is self confident and enjoys learning will be less disruptive in class. If the teachers in Don’s life would have recognized his reading struggles sooner it could have made a difference in how Don felt about his self, how his classmates viewed him and how his teachers labeled him. As a teacher’s assistant, I will take Don’s message to heart and continue to make the valuable time necessary to observe and interact with each child to help them identify their unique learning potential and become self advocates for lifelong learning success.

Jr. High Teacher Experiences Life of Struggling Teens

2006-12-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

I LOVED your book, Building Wings! I intend to buy one for each jr. high special services teacher to share with their classes. Not only will it mean so much to have the kids recognize their own similar struggles, but teachers can get a glimpse of the internal life of a teen experiencing reading difficulty. GREAT JOB! Thanks for sharing your life!

Caron Gibbert
Special Services Literacy Coach
Junior High Special Services Chairperson School District 54 Schaumburg, IL

Superintendent Advocates for Building Wings Book!

2006-12-04T11:08:00.001-08:00

Dr. John Krewer, Superintendent of Spotswood, NJ Schools

“A school is the setting where we learn who we are, how we fit in and what we might become. Don Johnston’s book raises good questions for educators as it reminds us of the all-too common coping mechanisms that children often use when our school system is unwilling or unable to respond to learner differences. Building Wings presents an inspiring message of expectations and accomplishments that we all have the power to achieve. Adults and student readers will identify with Don’s journey in his growth of self-confidence as he traces his childhood experiences back from kindergarten to 9th grade. It is a story of hope of which all of us can take something away and learn from his experience!”

Teacher Talks About Struggling Learners

2006-12-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Don:

I read your book as an educator, but I was reminded of feelings I had as a student about teachers who made ME feel important and special. My second grade phonics teacher is probably the reason I love teaching phonics today. My fourth grade teacher always let me wash the board and help her around the classroom. In high school, my journalism teacher counted on me to make sure the weekly newspaper got out on time. If she hadn't had confidence in me the whole school would have been disappointed that week. I also recalled teachers who made me feel inadequate… like a Kdg teacher who said I talked too much or a jr high language teacher who embarrassed me in front of the whole class.

Your book helped me remember how important our daily comments CAN be to students, both good and bad. A few years ago, I taught first-graders during Inclusion of Phonics. Michael was known as a problem. I knew it wasn't little Michael's fault that his parents were poor and began to call on him whenever I was in the classroom. His confidence grew and he became one of our best students that year. His classroom teacher was amazed at his progress. Michael moved away, but I often think of him and wonder if anyone made him feel special once he left here. Thank goodness YOUR book, Building Wings, reminded me to make a point of inspiring all kids to feel like Michael, and that they, too, can reach their full potential!

Gratefully,
Debbie B. Title I Reading Teacher , OH