R is for Reading with the Nintendo DS

I'm currently participating in 

an ABC's for homeschooling challenge.  

Since it falls on Tuesdays, 

I am adding a technological slant to the challenge.  

I hope you stay tuned and enjoy my entries.

Virtual Reading for K-1st Grade.

I started looking for games for my six year-old.  Daddy had bought her a used Nintendo DS.  I am okay with my kids getting a game console of any sort, as long as I can find educational games.  That's when I found this reading game at www.amazon.com.  

 

My Virtual Tutor: Reading Kindergarten to 1st Grade appealed to me immediately.  I wanted something that would teach my daughter with minimal mom or teacher involvement.  I liked the idea that my child could learn while playing a game.  I wanted her to enjoy learning.

 

Instruction manual explains buttons.

Most games for DS are held like this.

This game uses the DS on its side.

There are four modes for every story.  You can have the story read to you.  You can interact with it through the explore mode.  You can read it.  You can paint on virtual coloring pages.

The virtual tutor reads the words while they are highlighted.

This is great for visual learners.  The words change colors as they are read by the virtual tutor.

The game quizzes reading comprehension.

Quiz asks to answer with pictures.

The game offers hands on interactions.

The child can use a finger or a plastic pen to actually write or move through the "pages."  This is great for tactile learners.

Child can record themselves reading the sentence.

Listening skills are stressed in this game.  The tutor reads to the child.  The child gets to record themselves reading the same sentence.  They get to play it back to see if they said the sentence correctly.  The child's sense of hearing is used.

The child scratches to find the answer.

Here are the advantages to learning how to read with the Virtual Tutor:

1. Words can be repeated.  Virtual teacher reads the material to the child.  Child can press each word.  Listening skills are developed.

2. Minimal teacher involvement.  My daughter has not needed my help with this game.

3. Nintendo DS acts as a mini-computer.  Can carry it around within the house or the car.

4. Doesn't need light.  It's built into the game.

5. Can interact with game using different senses. Audio and tactile learners will enjoy this kind of game.

6. Offers rewards of stars and pictures.  

7. Records progress.  Quizzes are interspersed throughout the game.

8. Can have more than one learner use the game.

For more information about educational games for the Nintendo Wii and DS, please visit Mentor InterActive Inc.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about how I've incorporated technology into reading for my incoming first grader.  

Next week, I will be covering the letter S.  

Please stay tuned!

How about you, my readers?  Do your offer alternative methods to reading?  Have you considered using technology to encourage reading?  If so, which ones?  I believe in finding resources to help in the home school.  I encourage you to expose your children to education through technology.

I pray that God gives you all, my beloveds, His wisdom and peace.

This has been an entry for the Technology Tuesdays series.