Fluency Supported.....Digitally

Oral reading fluency can be so difficult to assess naturally with students as well as time consuming.  As an educator collecting running records from students I have often wondered about the students who get nervous reading aloud to me and how that affects their performance.  Then I heard about Fluency Tutor by Texthelp, and I can't wait to see it in action.

Fluency Tutor is an online tool, available in the Chrome Webstore as an app for both students and teachers, that supports oral reading fluency and comprehension.  The software incorporates Lexile-leveled passages for students in elementary and secondary levels.  Students are able to work independently to practice reading, record and submit assessments and monitor their progress.  Educators can assign specific passages to practice or assess, collect and listen to the students' submitted work and then mark or score them when time allows.  Teachers can set targets for students including Correct Words Per Minute and Lexile levels.  Parents have the ability to listen to the information the students have recorded as well.
After learning more about this resource, I wondered about that shy or those that get anxious about reading in the corner or hall to their teacher of reading specialist.  This resource seems like it would break down this barrier for many students.  I am excited to explore this software with students!

A great tutorial is included below:

g(Math) Support through Add Ons

One of the great Add Ons in Google Docs that I love to share with teachers is g(Math).  This tool allows a math teacher to be able to add graphs, complex formulas and equations.  With the addition of the Add On Menu in Google Forms, you will find that g(Math) is also available.  This make for a great tool in the math teacher's tool belt when using Google.  Check out how it works:

1. Once in a Google Doc or Form go to the Add On menu at the top of the page:  
2. Select "get add ons" from the menu and look for g(Math) as pictured above.  Click on the add on to view more and then the  button or just the  from the original menu.
3. Once the user accepts the permissions, this will add g(Math) to the Add On menu and allow the user to execute it on any document going forward.  

To use g(Math) once added it opens in a document from the AddOns menu at the top of the document. It will open on the right side of the screen.  This tool is also available in Google Forms making the creation of assessments in the classroom a breeze!