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Thinking Reader – The Giver

A Software Review

Tom Snyder Productions

Scholastic Inc.

557 Broadway

New York, NY 10012

Home Page: www.tomsnyder.com

Customer Service: (800) 342-0236

Software Description

Thinking Reader – The Giver is more than software. It is a complete guide to teaching the novel, The Giver. The following items are included in the start-up/evaluation copy package.

Installation Disks

Discussion Guide

-Author Biography

-Chapter Summaries

-Discussion Questions

-Reproducibles

-Quizzes & Answer Keys

-Cross-Curricular Activities for Students of all Learning Styles

Teacher’s Guide

-Overview

The “Overview” includes information on the multiple ways to incorporate Thinking Reader into the classroom. It also addresses successfully meeting IRA/NCTE and State Standards. An overview of seven reading comprehension strategies is displayed with descriptions as well as when to use each.

-Implementing the Program

This section provides teachers with a step-by-step guide to introducing the program into the classroom, building reading comprehension skills, and assessing and evaluating student progress. It even has multiple lesson plans to achieve the above mentioned. This section of the Teacher’s Guide also includes suggestions for student-teacher, peer, and parent conferences. Rubrics, Graphic Organizers, and additional strategies are also discussed.

-Software Reference

This section of the Teacher’s Guide starts with a quick tour of the program, and then continues into a full tour of specific buttons, menu options, reports, and information on managing class data.

-Research and Validation

Discussed within the pages of this next section are the history that led to the need and creation of Thinking Reader and the research and evidence that justifies its existence in the academic world.

-Resources and Reproducibles

The tools provided in this section are a dream-come-true for many teachers. There are seven visual organizers and comprehension maps as well as prompter journals, rubrics, and conference worksheets.

Poster of Reading Strategies

Six Copies of the Novel

Six Reading Strategies Bookmarks

The software provides the student an opportunity to read at his/her own comfort level and ability, keep pace with the class, and have access to definitions of vocabulary within the text. He/she is also able to practice the seven reading comprehension strategies in a supportive environment. As the student grows and becomes more comfortable with the program and reading, the supports will gradually decrease until the student is reading and performing with academic independence.

Accuracy of Content

The content of this program is remarkably accurate and complete. The software and support books provide, for students of all levels, a comprehensive understanding of the literature as well as tools to further develop the integration of the book within their class and life. To contribute another opportunity for success, this program seems to be sensitive ethnically, culturally and in relation to genders and socio-economic backgrounds.

The appropriateness of age for Thinking Reader walks a fine line. Although this program is designed for grades five through eight, the graphics of the text and the strategy prompts may be cause for embarrassment for older adolescents. For example, Justin, Destiny, and the “Agent” provide important guidance for the reader who is developing his/her strength with the reading strategies. Dependence on such cartoon characters, however, may not be as acceptable as the student ages.

If I were to change anything about Thinking Reader – The Giver, it would be to allow students who are already independent readers and function at a high reading comprehension levels, the ability to explore the program in a non-linear way. I would like to see such students be able to use this incredible software but in such a way that they may jump to the tools that are appropriate for their level. As it is currently designed, a student must start with the first passage of the first chapter, and continue accordingly. He/she must, in addition, respond to all of the embedded strategies throughout the text. To further clarify this example, a student may not begin to use this resource at the start of chapter four without first completing the first three chapters of the program.

Technical Quality

The software is relatively easy to install and run. It is to the student’s advantage, however, that the teacher demonstrates tutorials. The student’s ability to navigate through the program, and thus benefit from its tools, improves dramatically.

The teacher, on the other hand, has more work to do in using this software. Although it provides multiple lesson plans, prepared handouts, potential quizzes, and other tools, it is necessary to read all of the literature that accompanies the software. It is also important to spend ample time exploring the software to discover the strengths and weaknesses it may have for particular students and classes. If Thinking Reader – The Giver is to be used as a simple supplement to traditional reading, than the teacher’s investment of time does not need to be that immense. If, however, the program is to be used to utilize the strategies for reading comprehension, and if the teacher would like to take advantage of the different student tracking tools, than he/she must devote a potentially large quantity of time to grasp the magnitude of this program.

Use of Technology

The use of technology is Thinking Reader – The Giver is creative, profound, and educationally beneficial. There are two elements that stand out in my mind.

First, it gives students a running start with journaling prompts. For example, the student may be asked to provide thoughts and reactions to the readings. Making this personal connection to the reading is “Feeling” which is one of the seven reading comprehension strategies. In a traditional environment, the student may sit at the computer stuck as to where to begin or how to formulate an answer. Thinking Reader – The Giver provides the following.

“I feel _____ because _____.”

“If I were _____, I would feel _____ because_____.”

The second element of technology that impressed me was the way in which the supportive characters were designed and are utilized in the program. For example, when asked the above questions, the student can click on Justin, a young guy in a library who gives his perspective. The student can also click on Destiny who is reading the book in a comfy chair. As a third option, the student can click on the “Agent” who is wearing a snazzy suit and shades (sunglasses) and who pops up from a sleek briefcase to give the student a hint. By providing characters that could easily be seen on video games and in sophisticated cartoons, the program engages students in ways that a potentially dry text cannot.

For the teacher, such technology must be refreshing and time efficient. The tracking tools allow a teacher to see the progress of one student or look at the class as a whole. Strengths and weaknesses are easily identifiable which enables a teacher to adjust his/her teaching accordingly, create action plans, and help him/her prepare for curriculum meetings, conferences, and his/her own future lessons.

Role of Students

Although this software is available for all reading comprehension levels, it is most appropriate for students who need the support and strategies provided throughout the reading of the book. The format is designed to gradually wean the student from the supportive atmosphere and guide them towards independent reading at high comprehension levels.

The additional tools provided in the start-up/evaluation kit are advantageous for all levels of readers. The visual diagrams, graphics, mapping, and journaling pages are a phenomenal resource. Although many teachers may create these tools on their own, such pre-prepared products can be used in many content areas.

Role of Teacher

As with any work done in a classroom, the teacher will want to monitor the students using this program. That said, this program is such that a student may work alone at a computer, and the teacher does not need to be continually looking over the student’s shoulder. As mentioned in the software description, there are multiple tools and strategies that came with Thinking Reader that will assist the teacher in multiple ways. The step-by-step guides facilitate the implementation of this program into the classroom and curriculum. The management tools allow the teacher to monitor progress and compile data. The other teaching materials expand the benefits of this program beyond the computer and into the classroom.

Classroom Usage

Thinking Reader – The Giver can be used at one classroom computer station or at multiple stations. It can be used by one student who uses headphones to read alone. Or, if the class is reading together, the student may follow along on the screen. The second option allows the student to be engaged in the class activity, but also benefit from the extra supports of the computer program.

Thinking Reader can also be used in a pull-out program. Reading specialists would benefit from this resource in their language and learning labs. In addition, it has been proven to assist ESL students read age appropriate material while developing comprehension and writing skills in English. Another tool within this program is the dictionary. Words are highlighted throughout the text. Those words may be found in the dictionary. To access the dictionary, the student simply needs to click on the button on the left side of the screen. Definitions are also offered in Spanish.

Critical Summary

In an ideal world, individualized attention would be showered upon each and every student. In that fictional world, teachers would have ample time to prepare, evaluate, and revise lessons and materials. There would be no learning challenges and no professional headaches. However, such a world does not currently exist. Thinking Reader – The Giver enables both students and teachers to have options and supports in the educational world that is reality. It is a high-quality resource that is very useful inside and outside of the classroom as well as in cross-curricular activities and programs.

Overall Rating & Explanation

On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this program an 8. It is efficient and comprehensive, but like all programs, perfection does not exist. Even considering the minute disadvantages, Thinking Reader – The Giver is a valuable resource. It was thoroughly developed and gives attention to detail and is deserving of the solid rating of 8.

@ K. DiFatta | Last revised June 28, 2006 | email: kdinfinities@hotmail.com