Decoding Comprehension: Info and Apps

image via: http://dekalbcountyonline.com/tag/parent-teacher-conferences/

After Sensi's school conference, we agreed that we are going to need to work hard on Sensi's paraphrasing skills. Sensi's Speech Therapist explained to me how this all works. Sensi can decode words and read aloud above her grade level, but she has trouble retelling the story since (we think) she feels that she has to retell a story verbatim rather than in her own words. It is important you drop the reading level below 1-2 levels below decoding level when using this approach.
The way to do this is working with simple sentence stories: Tommy went to the grocery store on Saturday to buy some milk. 
Now to paraphrase using "wh" questions...

Who went to the store?
What did Tommy do on Saturday? 
When did Tommy go to the store?
Where did Tommy go on Saturday?
Why did Tommy go to the store?

image via: http://www.amazon.com/OLIVIA-Counts-Christmas-Maggie-Testa/dp/1442457473

Of course there are apps for this, but it can be done just as easily with pencil and paper as long as you follow the form.  Person did something on a certain day at a certain place to do a task. Sally went to the post office yesterday to mail her party invitations. Right now we are doing this with the book "Olivia Counts Down To Christmas."

You can find apps for this at the Super Duper Publications App Store, here are a few: 

image via: http://www.padgadget.com/ipad-app-details/560494137/17/1/4

Super Duper StoryMaker: There are free and paid versions
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/super-duper-storymaker-free

image via: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wh-question-cards/id515954148?mt=8

Wh Questions Cards: Who, what, why, where, what.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wh-question-cards 

image via: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storybuddy-2/id505856601?mt=8

Sensi's teacher also found a story telling app, StoryBuddy :
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storybuddy-2 

Also there are apps based on the six stages of language development from PRC App lab, here is a link to their page explaining the concept, http://applab.prentrom.com 
The ones I will be getting for Sensi are: 

image via: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/language-lab-directing-activities/id527182200?mt=8

Direct Phrases: Have fun directing activities.
https://itunes.apple.com/app/language-lab-directing-activities 

image via: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/language-lab-ing-verbs-+-prepositions/id538287872?mt=8

-ing words and Prepositions: Helps with forming complete sentences and the use of prepositions.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/language-lab-ing-verbs-+-prepositions

image via: http://applab.prentrom.com/screenshot.php?app=4&pic=1

Simple Sentences: Building on the -ing words app, encourages more complete grammatical sentences.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/language-lab-simple-sentences


We have lots of work to do, but it can be creative and fun too. I hope you have fun with your story telling and "wh" questions with your own kids.

Sensory Apps and More

image via: http://a5.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/018/Purple/58/76/aa/mzl.kfkroqzh.480x480-75.jpg

Sensory Apps

Here are some more apps for sensory experiences for your kids. I have noted when the app is more expensive than the usual .99 cents to 3.99. I have also noted when they are free. Some of these apps are soothing, some stimulating, but all are good for sensory input and interaction from the iPad.

Magic Pictures HD - Living Pictures
Beautiful interactive landscape and still life pictures with nature sounds
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magic-pictures-hd-living-pictures/id385275546?mt=8

Bloom
Bringing images and music together. Bloom is a musical composition instrument and art work tool.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloom/id292792586?mt=8

Fireworks
Stimulating with fireworks and sound effects. Choose from 15 venues to view your show.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fireworks

Sound Drop - free
Science, math and sound to create music
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundrop/

Pocket Pond -free
Interact with the fish and water in the pond, nature sound effects
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-pond

Relaxing Melodies - free
46 ambient sounds helpful for relaxation
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/relax-melodies-white-noise

Little Lily's Touch Book
A highly rated message story book about a girl with sensory issues.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-lillys-touch-book

image via: http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/080/Purple/v4/48/8a/a6/488aa6c6-8338-e598-feda-7fac8252fc2b/mzl.tklwrqzq.480x480-75.jpg

Other  helpful apps

Book creator can be used to make social stories
Book creator 4.99
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-for-ipad/

Felt board
You and your child can create characters and make stories using the felt board figures and settings, (without worrying where the felt figures wandered off to.)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/felt-board/

Rainbow Sentences 7.99 (only for 4.3 or later version of the iPad, I haven't updated lately, so I couldn't try it.)
Helps kids combine words in the right order to create sentences, if your child is a system based learner, this may help with reading and language acquisition.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rainbow-sentences

Brain Pop - free featured movie,
Explorer subscription 1.99/month for featured movies and quiz, plus 4 related movies and quizzes rotating every day.
Full access subscription 6.99/month, unlimited access to 750 movies and quizzes.
An all around education app with science, engineering and tech, math, social studies, English, health, and art and music.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brainpop-featured-movie/id364894352?mt=8

Visual Schedule Planner 14.99
Fully customizable visual representation of schedules for the day, week, month. Includes a timer and a checklist function.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-schedule-planner/id488646282?mt=8


If you have any apps that really impressed you sensory-wise or found really helpful for you special needs kids, please share so we can all give it a try.




A special thanks to OT with Apps for pocket pond and relaxing melodies
 http://otswithapps.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/sensory-apps/
Thanks to Apps for Children with Special Needs for Rainbow Sentences
http://a4cwsn.com/