Reading Challenge: A seventh-grade boy’s phonics level was at grade one, and his overall reading level was at grade three.
Solution: Mom, Dina R., says that when her 12-year-old son was still reading at grade three in seventh grade, she was “desperate.” At that point, she pulled him out of school and began using MindPlay. She was impressed with how the program was fully online and fully adaptive, and that it allowed him to work through lessons independently. “I don’t have to do anything to help him – that is not to say that I do not ever look at what he is doing, but I don’t have to!” He works for 30 minutes five days a week, and though he did complain a bit when he began the program, she says he hasn’t complained at all since those initial days.
Dina also says she was particularly happy to be able to speak directly with a teacher through MindPlay’s contact options. She was concerned about his progress and not quite sure what she was reading, and she wanted clarification. She says the teacher she spoke with was “amazing,” offering hints and tips and explaining exactly where he was struggling. “Our last call was more of a ‘Mom, don’t worry he’s doing so great!,’ she says Tell him how well he is doing. Sometimes I get so caught up in watching all this fast progress, I forget to tell him.”
Results: In less than one year, Dina’s son made dramatic gains, leaping up to grade six in phonics, comprehension, and fluency levels. ”I am shocked. My son has so much pride now… he looks at his progress with bright eyes each time he checks the charts to see if he has made improvements.”
She says he knows where Mindplay is taking him and that is “straight to a 12th-grade reading level.” She adds, “We will renew each year until he gets to where he needs to be. I love MindPlay. Love it!”
