Reading, Audio Books, Revision Guides.
- Readability.
- Other ways of enjoying reading and audio books.
- Revision Guides.
- Dyslexia Friendly Books.
1. Readability
There are formulae for calculating the readability of texts according to word length, sentence length and complexity.
Computer programs, e.g. Word, give readability scores according to those criteria. A simple method is called the Five Finger Test:
- Choose a book you like.
- Open it in the middle.
- Try to find a page without pictures.
- Start reading at the top. Go on till you reach a word you do not know.
- Put your little finger on it.
- Continue reading. Put a finger on each word you do not know.
- If you run out of fingers before you get to the bottom of the page, the book is probably too difficult for independent reading.
2. Other ways of enjoying books
- Ask someone to read the book to you, while you point to the words.
- Try paired reading - a helper reads the harder words.
- Listen to an audio book or audio-tape of the book, while following the words in the book.
Audio Books to Download.
Listen to downloaded audio books with screen reading software. Listening and following the text can also help improve reading skills.
Kindle
The latest version of Kindle from Amazon has a screen reading facility, and also allows you to change the font, font size and line spacing. Books out of copyright can be downloaded for free from Amazon.
Audio Books for iPod download
Thousands of books to buy to download to your IPod.
Audio Books from Amazon.
Electric Books.
A library of electronic books where you only pay for the pages you need.
Audio Books to download
Listen to free books, buy and download 4000 audio books. Web: http://www.audiobookradio.net
Free e-books for downloading
Web: http://www.manybooks.net
Scroll down to 'About this Site' and then click on Popular Formats, to see the range available. They must be books that are out of 50 year copyright, and in addition books donated by authors, as a taster for their other publications.
Other free e-book sites include:
http://www.free-ebooks.net
http://www.ebookdirectory.com
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.getfreeebooks.com
For information on interactive/talking books with a good list of resources, see BDAtech
Audio books on loan.
Listening Books
The charity also offers over 1,000 audiobook titles that support the National Curriculum, in a variety of formats: downloads, streaming and MP3 CD, collectively constituting their Sound Learning programme.
General Enquiries: Tel. 020 7407 9417
Email: info@listening-books.org.uk
Library Enquiries: Tel. 020 7234 0522
Email: library@listening-books.org.uk
Web: http://www.soundlearning.org.uk/
Calibre
Tel: 01296 432 339
Fax: 01296 392 599
Web: http://www.calibre.org.uk
Talking book software
Links to organisations offering Talking Books can be found on http://bdatech.org/learning/i-c-t-for-literacy/#ebooks
The Seeingear: free online library.
Scan books into Word for use with Text to Speech software.
Email: librarian@seeingear.org
Web: http://www.seeingear.org
3. Revision Guides
GCSEpod
GCSE Revision Guides to download to computer, MP3 Player, iPod or mobile phone.
http://www.gcsepod.co.uk
With GCSEpod, learning does not involve reading or writing. This is something you can do ‘on the hoof’ so young people often find it much less restrictive than traditional learning. The student can listen to the podcasts plugged into their ipod/iphone whilst viewing the programme visually via screen. This makes learning multi-sensory and simply that bit more fun.
On-line revision guides you can listen to with text-reading software.
Free BBC BiteSize. Written guides, audio files, revision games and message boards.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize
Free Literature study guides. 7 novels.
Each study guide contains extensive information about the novel including chapter summaries, thematic and character discussions, a message board, and more.
http://www.homework-online.com/litguides.asp
Book revision guides: CGP books.
On-line interactive pages give a taster of the books.
http://www.cgpbooks.co.uk
Books and podcasts: Letts and Lonsdale.
Revise science topics on the move with podcasts.
http://www.lettsed.co.uk
4. Dyslexia Friendly Books
Dyslexic children need access to good literature and books with low reading age/high interest levels. The following publishers supply a range of dyslexia friendly books. Some are suitable for teenagers and adults.
Ann Arbor Publishers
Dilo Reading Books and High Noon Reading Books
Tel: 01668 214 460
Fax: 01668 214 484
Web: http://www.annarbor.co.uk
Barrington Stoke
Tel: 0131 225 4113
Fax: 0131 225 4140
Email: barrington@barringtonstoke.co.uk
Web: http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
Boffin Boy
A popular manga comic style series designed specifically for reluctant and struggling readers. Interest Age 8 - 14 years | Reading Age 6 - 7 years.
Tel:01962 862307
Fax: 05601 148881
Email: ransom@ransom.co.uk
http://www.ransom.co.uk/BoffinBoy.html
Let Me Learn
Resources and educational games for struggling learners.
Tel / Fax: 02380 660271
Email: sue@letmelearn.co.uk
http://www.letmelearn.co.uk/reluctant-readers-c-22_127.html
Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre: Fall into Reading
(Recommendations of Books for Dyslexic Children 7-11 years).
Tel: 01252 792 400
Fax: 01252 795 669
Email: enquiries@arkellcentre.org.uk
Web: http://www.arkellcentre.org.uk
LDA Learning
Tel: 0845 120 4776
Fax: 0800 783 8648
Email: orders@ldalearning.com
Web: http://www.ldalearning.com
Cambridge House
Tel: 01732 369 822
Email: info@CambridgeHouse-Dyslexia.com
Web: http://www.cambridgehouse-dyslexia.co.uk/html/reading_books.html
Books for Reluctant Readers.
Web: http://www.wordpool.co.uk/rr/rrcontents.htm
Lists of books from various publishers.
Guide to Choosing Dyslexia Friendly Books for Kids
From Waterstones and Dyslexia Action
Quick Reads for Adults
Quick Reads was launched on World Book Day 2006, with the aim of reaching out to adults in the UK with reading difficulties and those who never pick up a book. They are written specially by bestselling authors and popular personalities for both reluctant readers and for those wanting a short, fast-paced read. They are priced at £1 each.
Quick Reads is a partnership between the publishing and bookselling industries, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the BBC, Unionlearn, Arts Council and others.
On the BBC Skills website you will find audio files, pdfs and Word files of first chapters of some of the books. Click on a title in the list on the right.