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.
Audio Books for iPod download
Thousands of books to buy to download to your IPod.
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
Audio books on loan.
Listening Books
Tel: 020 7407 9417
Fax: 020 7403 1377
Email: info@listening-books.org.uk
Web: http://www.listening-books.org.uk
Calibre
Tel: 01296 432 339
Fax: 01296 392 599
Web: http://www.calibre.org.uk
Talking book software
Don Johnston
Tel: 01925 256500
Fax: 01925 241745
Email: info@donjohnston.co.uk
Web: http://www.donjohnston.co.uk
Kingscourt
Tel: 0800 317 457
Fax: 0870 241 6398
Email: enquiries@kingscourt.co.uk
Web: http://mcgraw-hill.co.uk/kingscourt
Sherston
Tel: 01666 843 200
Email: sales@sherston.co.uk
Web: http://www.sherston.co.uk
3. Revision Guides
GCSE Revision Guides to download to an MP3 Player or Ipod.
http://www.gcsepod.co.uk
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 Arbour 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
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
Lists of books from various publishers.
Guide to Choosing Dyslexia Friendly Books for Kids
From Waterstones and Dyslexia Action
Web: http://www.waterstones.com/wat/images/special/mag/waterstones_dyslexia_action_guide.pdf
Books for Reluctant Readers
Web: http://www.wordpool.co.uk/rr/rrcontents.htm
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 £1.99 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.
