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Freedom
Scientific LSG Presents
The
WYNNing Word
February
2006
Spotlight:
Student Success with WYNN in Saskatchewan
"We knew we had created a
program that was successful for Matt the day he came to us with
a novel – J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings –
and asked us to scan it for him," said
Tracy Shaw. "Matt became a reader and discipline was
no longer an issue."
During Tracy Shaw's first year at South Shore School, Regina Beach,
Saskatchewan, Canada, as a Student Support Services teacher, Tracy
met Matt. Matt was a 6th grader who could neither read nor write.
There had been no formalized assessment of Matt — no diagnosis
or designation had been determined. Matt had failed kindergarten
and had been pulled out of classes for Reading Recovery and small
group work daily. This plan did not help Matt read or write. By
6th grade he had become frustrated and was a behavior problem.
"Building a relationship with Matt became very
important. Matt needed to know and trust that I had the best of
intentions for him," said Tracy. "He needed to see me
advocate on his behalf, to defend him if necessary, and to know
that I was willing to work for him."
During that time, it was decided that Matt should have an in-depth
vision assessment and IQ test. The assessment came back to the school
stating that Matt suffered from symptoms of dyslexia. Matt's difficulties
included the inability to "sound out" words and the inability
to take whole words or configurations and perceive them as a unit
symbol. This diagnosis confirmed why he couldn’t learn through
sound or sight. The IQ test showed that Matt was intelligent and
able to learn. After researching software programs designed to assist
students with reading and writing, Tracy chose WYNN Wizard and Reader.
"When I approached Matt about our purchase he was quite excited,
explained Ms. Shaw. "He liked the idea of being able
to participate with the rest of his class. I taught a couple
students how to scan, and off we went."
Developing an Independent Reader
The class was doing a study on the novel Peacekeepers.
Because of Matt’s learning problems, an alternate book would
have to be chosen for him to read: a high interest, low vocabulary
choice at an approximate first or second grade level. It also meant
an Educational Assistant or teacher would work directly with Matt
to ensure he was reading the novel because, by this point, Matt
hated reading.
With the purchase of WYNN, a new plan was put in place. The student-teacher
team scanned the novel into WYNN, allowing Matt to follow along
visually while listening to the story. The team also scanned the
activity guide into WYNN so that Matt could respond to the novel
independently.
 Using an alternative,
authentic assessment approach, Matt could choose how to respond
to the chapter. He could respond orally (using WYNN and Dragon NaturallySpeaking),
or he could tape his responses. He could create a chapter review
by drawing the main events of the story, highlighting the main events
of the story in WYNN, or acting out the main events of the chapter.
Matt began to meet with success. He was thrilled and soon became
an enthusiastic reader!
The added bonus to Matt's success was his classmates'
reaction. Ms. Shaw proudly commented, "His classmates were
taking an interest in how Matt was learning. I was receiving requests
from students to try out the program. Mark, a boy diagnosed with
ADHD, would sit, listen, and follow along as the novel was read
for the entire period. We had to create a sign up list for students
within the class to use the computer. It was getting to the point
that Matt was unable to get onto a computer! We rectified that situation
so that this opportunity would be available to all our students."
"We knew we had created a program that was successful for
Matt the day he came to us with a novel – J.R.R.Tolkien’s
Lord of the Rings – and asked us to scan it for him.
Matt became a reader and discipline was no longer an issue.
WYNN is now being used by students at South Shore from kindergarten
to 8th grade. You can walk into South Shore at any time and find
students utilizing WYNN. We have happy, successful readers!"
Tracy Shaw
Ms. Shaw is now Student Support Services Coordinator
at Greenall High School, located in Balgonie, Saskatchewan, Canada.
It is a full service school serving grades 9 through 12. Greenhall
has 665 students enrolled, as well as a Bridges program (for students
with behavioral needs), an Adult Education program, and an Integrated
Learning program. They have just recently purchased WYNN and will
be utilizing it throughout their various programs.
Want More Information About Matt’s Form of Dyslexia?
Please Don't Miss This Wonderful Opportunity to Bring Current
Events to Your Students!
To sign up for this FREE subscription, valued
at $249 a year, go to the NewsCurrents One on One link on the
www.newscurrents.com
page, and sign up for One on One, using your WYNN serial number
as the promotion code. For more detailed information, call
(800) 356-2303 or view the informational
flyer.
NOTE: You must own WYNN to take
advantage of this exciting, free offer. One on One is recommended
for Grades 5 and up.
"Finally my students are excited about
reading current events. They now see this information as interesting,
rather than difficult material they have to read. They hear it,
see it and they understand it. They want to delve deeper into the
event," says Joan Streitenberger, 7th grade social studies
teacher.
"With One on One presenting the material
in an interesting and understandable manner and WYNN meeting the
needs of my students' individual learning styles, I do not have
to 'rewrite history.' My time is spent in discussion with the students
on the topics. How wonderful it is to hear their educated opinions!"
Coming Next Month:
 Increasing Student
Retention, Graduation Rates & Higher Ed Enrollment
- Learn how a collaborative effort between the Arkansas State University,
the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit, and
Easter Seals of Arkansas is disseminating information — through
training and professional development — concerning supportive
technology and a universally designed curriculum in Arkansas schools.
Archives of
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