These little pieces of plastic might sound strange, but a friend of mine told me about them a couple years ago. Apparently, laying colored transparencies over the pages of a book makes it easier for some students to read. There are lots of situations that can interfere with a student's ability to process information or even identify words when they are reading, such as being a "Right Brain child", Dyslexia, Aspergers & Autism, ADD & ADHD, Irlen Syndrome, or even just sensitivity to light. But some children respond very well to laying a colored piece of plastic over their page. Suddenly, they can see the words! They can comprehend what they are reading! And they can focus on an entire story.
Heads Up! sent us:
Large Heads Up! Frames in six colors.
Small Heads Up! Frames in six colors.
Heads Up! Readers in six colors and a clear Reader
Heads Up! Double-Time in two colors and
Heads Up! Top of the Line in two colors
A Heads Up! catalog and A handout titled: “Using Heads Up! Frames as an educational Tool.”
These "Frames" are transparent colored polycarbonate with printed frames with differing colors to serve different purposes. They come in different sizes and shapes to fit the needs of the reader. The Readers are long and short to help a student track one line of a paragraph at a time. It makes a handy bookmark to pull out as needed.
The boys don't really have trouble reading, but Joel has always been pretty sensitive to the light. The handout they sent mentions that the blue frame often helps decrease the glare of the white background on the page. Joel says he thinks perhaps the blue did help. I have a cousin who uses rose colored transparencies to help with her dyslexia. I've read to much to doubt that it helps. I think it should be noted though, that the wonderful assistance these tools give while in use does not cure the situation causing the problem. Vision therapy is an amazing thing and would still need pursued.
Heads Up is a company dedicated to helping students, especially students with special circumstances, to learn and love learning. Their goal is to equip therapists, teachers, and other professionals, as well as parents "with materials and teaching tips that will be effective in promoting successful learning experiences while reducing frustration for children, teachers, and parents."
For more information about the use of colored reading aids, read here and here. I found it very interesting. To read the creator's blog, see here. And for more reviews of this product, be sure to check out The Old Schoolhouse Crew blog.
4 comments:
I use these in my classroom & the kids love it! Good stuff :)
We used these colored sheets in our special needs classroon. Some students responded very positively to them. Something so simple sometimes can make a difference. Love ya, MIL
My brother uses these-he has severe dyslexia and they were a huge help in school!
I used these when I taught in the public arena. Some needed them and it did help. I did find that even students who didn't have dyslexia (for example) wanted to use them at particular times of the day, due to eye strain or lighting. Thanks for the heads up on this! I am excited to get my order in!
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