Reading for Meaning Grades 3-8
© 2002 Tom Snyder Productions
First released as an Internet site in 2001, this CD-ROM-based product attempts to improve student reading comprehension by targeting skills and concepts often covered on standardized tests, such as main idea, inference, sequence, cause and effect, compare and contrast and so on. The program provides 35 lessons, including graphic organizers and authentic literature, plus a lesson plan library with 30 additional lessons. It can be used for whole class, small groups or individuals. This is a nice tool, but very template-oriented in its approach with no story-specific questions or organizers. For instance, after listening to an excerpt from Roberto Clemente's biography, the program focuses on the same five reading comprehension topics that are provided after each of the passages. Though not tailored to each story, the program offers a way for children to organize their thoughts as they read.
$99.95, Win, Mac; Internet site
Teaches: reading comprehension