ReadingBear is the first free program online to teach beginning readers vocabulary and
concepts while systematically introducing all the main phonetic patterns of
written English, all using innovative rich media. We spent an enormous amount
of time developing 50 presentations, covering even more phonics principles and
illustrating over 1,200 vocabulary items. There is nothing else like it, free
or otherwise.
How does it
work? In each presentation—playable either as a video or as an interactive
slide show—we introduce one or a few related “phonics rules.” Presentations are
available in seven different versions. In the fullest version, we sound out a
word slowly and quickly, then blend it slowly, and finally (after an optional
prompt) blend it quickly. As sounds are pronounced, the corresponding letters
are highlighted. Then we display a picture illustrating the word, show a
sentence (with the individual sounds again highlighted, karaoke style), and
finally show a video illustrating the sentence. Presentations give this
treatment to around 25 words, though some have more and some have less. The
result is a thorough yet painless introduction to phonics principles, while at
the same time teaching vocabulary. There are many other features, which we
encourage you to explore by clicking on our Getting Started page.
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