Change is good. At Reading Horizons we know that technology and teaching trends change. Working with the feedback from teachers and instructors, we have redesigned our award-winning Reading Horizons interactive reading software from the ground up. Never before in the history of our company have we undergone such an extensive renovation of the Reading Horizons software. Reading Horizons v5 boasts a variety of new features coupled with the same proven method to create the most impactful reading experience your students will ever have.
Reading Horizons v5 software was developed for independent use for students ages 10 and above who read below grade level. Students are able to work at their own pace and receive the instruction that they need to close the reading gap. The software is not condescending; on the contrary, it helps build self-esteem and self-confidence in students who have repeatedly failed to learn to read. Incorporating the strategies taught in the Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself methodology, this software produces rapid gains, usually two-to-five grade levels in 40-60 hours of instruction. The latest release, Reading Horizons v5, is the culmination of 26 years of software development and research and represents the finest reading software in the industry. Coupled with the most effective reading strategies, this software is exactly what your struggling readers have been waiting for.
Competency-based learning ensures that every student receives the precise level of instruction necessary to maintain high interest while making rapid reading gains. Sixty-eight multi-sensory, interactive lessons allow students to prove their understanding of core concepts by taking a skill check at the beginning of each lesson. They then receive the appropriate level of instruction to fill the gaps in their reading ability. In addition, the a la carte approach utilized in the 13 Most Common Words lessons allows students to reinforce sight words, using the activities that are best suited for their learning styles. All results are displayed on the Dashboard, with visuals depicting their scores, lessons completed, and overall improvement.
The Vocabulary component provides over 10,000 words with their corresponding definitions and context sentences and allows students to practice decoding. Students are shown a visual representation of the word; the translation into one of the supported languages, if selected; and students are able to record themselves pronouncing the word to compare their pronunciation with the narrator's. Students are assigned to complete a certain number of words, based on options set by the teacher and on how well the student performed in the corresponding lesson. Students are able to choose words that they are most interested in learning and may also use the "search" feature to bolster their vocabulary.
The Library provides over 225 high-interest reading passages in 15 different genres ranging from sports to technology. Students are given a reading assessment to determine their level and are then allowed to practice reading passages of interest to improve fluency and comprehension. Teacher controls encourage students to continue practicing and advancing through the material. All passages have a grade-level equivalent and a Lexile score and range from 1st—12th grade levels. Passages are timed and include comprehension questions to test understanding. Challenge words are highlighted to pre-teach vocabulary words that supersede skills that have been previously taught. Students can click on words in passages to learn their meanings and to see them used in context. A composite fluency score, which combines reading rate and comprehension, is calculated based on speed and accuracy. Students are encouraged to improve this score through repetition and practice.
The Pronunciation Proficiency tool allows students to practice hearing the sounds of the alphabet, watching as they're formed on the screen. Live footage of a mouth pronouncing each sound is provided, as well as animated cutaways showing tongue placement and whether the sound is voiced or voiceless. Students equipped with a microphone can record themselves practicing each sound and can compare their pronunciation with the narrator's.
The Administration system is both powerful and user-friendly. Teacher-specific logins sort students accordingly and allow teachers to customize the program based on student needs. Reports compare and contrast student performance and provide varying views of critical data, including time spent in every activity, student performance on lessons, tests, and individual skills, and comprehensive assessment data. New charting features allow teachers to compare student performance with their previous scores and with their peers. Teacher-directed progress assessments are also launched through the Administration system. The online version provides all of the aforementioned functionality but also allows administrators to move students between sites and increase or decrease student access across sites with the click of a button. Students may also access the program from home for no additional fee.
