FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >>>
The Lessons:
What is the reading level of the books in the novel studies?
The books we've developed for Reading Ahead’s Novel Study Program are designed for grades 6 through 10.
Can a teacher change the lessons for the novels?
No. The lessons cover reading practice, comprehension, vocabulary and writing, using the latest in web-based technology. They cannot be manipulated by the teacher, but the teacher can direct threaded discussion on the forums and respond to student work through the teacher desk.
Can a school use books that it already owns?
Yes. Our teachers and designers can custom build lessons for any text on your school's reading list. We can develop a novel study that will refresh your text and engage your students and teachers in a whole new way.
What about non-fiction?
All of our resources include non-fiction selections that build literacy skills, create context for readers and appeal to reluctant readers of fiction.
What about standardized testing? Do you have content designed to get students to pass?
We believe that all of the literacy activities in the resources will improve a student's performance and can help reluctant readers become active ones. Our lessons demand the type of writing and reading that standardized tests require. However, if you or your board wanted the resource to be specifically tailored to the test in your district, this is possible. Contact us for details.
What about music, links to other subjects, uploading posters and all of the possibilities these technologies offer?
With the way Reading Ahead is designed, the creative possibilities are always expanding. We are constantly adding new features to the site and, as your students enter the resource, it can change and evolve everyday. Let's imagine the possibilities and build it together.
The Journal:
Can a teacher edit the student's journal?
Yes. The teacher has access to all of the student's work and can leave messages and helpful hints in the journal.
Can a teacher post journal topics?
Yes. Teachers can simply use the journal topics that have been designed for a particular novel or they can add their own. This option allows the teacher to change the resource to fit the needs of the student or the class as a whole.
Is it possible to print out the journal entries?
Everything a student writes can be printed.
The Forum:
Can a teacher post a topic on the forum?
Yes. The on-line forum is an extension of the classroom and as such, the teacher can lead the discussion, develop Socratic questions or allow the students to lead the way.
Who monitors the forum and how does the teacher know a student won't write something inappropriate?
The forum is monitored by the teacher of the class. A student can only be added to the forum if he or she is connected to a teacher. The teacher, as in any classroom, is responsible for ensuring that the language and the content is appropriate. A school district using our transition program can choose to monitor the forum itself or we can provide that service.
Can students talk to other students in other classrooms in the school or across the country?
This is certainly a possibility. Reading Ahead can make it possible for an entire school, an entire board, even an entire province or state to read and discuss the same text.
Teacher Reports:
How does a teacher assess and evaluate the students' work?
The teacher is able to view all of the work a student does. Comprehension activities, vocabulary work, journal entries and forum posts are all stored in the teacher reports. Teachers have the option to view an entire class and each individual student.
Can a teacher communicate with his or her students through the resource?
Yes. A teacher can send notes or emails to motivate and encourage the student.
Technological Requirements:
What software do I need to access www.readingahead.com?
Any student with Internet access and the latest Flash Player (which you can download for free) can use Reading Ahead.
What does a board of education need to acquire to support the technology behind the program?
Nothing. Reading Ahead is a web-based resource. Our technicians and software engineers service the site from our end. The school board just has to make sure a student has access to the Internet.
Is Reading Ahead compatible with assistive technology?
Yes. A student can cut and paste work from other programs directly into the journal. Students using any type of assistive technology can use it with Reading Ahead.
