Reading Plus vs. LightSail
A MindPlay Company
LightSail encourages students to be a part of their own literacy journey.
Reading Plus focuses on reading speed and comprehension questions to push students through a program. If all free reading requires specific instruction first with scaffolded text afterwards, where does student choice come in?
LightSail embeds assessments and learning opportunities to help students as they read books they have chosen for themselves from their curated library. Each student’s Lexile is tracked as they read, but they are also supported in vocabulary, writing, fluency, and fosters a love of reading.
LightSail embeds assessments and learning opportunities to help students as they read books they have chosen for themselves from their curated library. Each student’s Lexile is tracked as they read, but they are also supported in vocabulary, writing, fluency, and fosters a love of reading.
10K+ Whole Books & Audiobooks
Personalized Solutions for All Readers
Student-Authored Books & Writing Modules
Gamification & Tournaments to Support Mastery
COMPARE LIGHTSAIL
Enliven curiosity & allow your students to drive their literacy journey while the platform adapts to their needs guided by the teacher.
Reading Plus uses a learn-this-lesson followed by a read-then-answer prompt for a few hundred leveled readers. With 19 reading levels, that dramatically cuts down student choice.
LightSail fosters a love of reading with tens of thousands of high-interest classic and contemporary titles, non-fiction, and audiobooks with embedded features to support grammar & vocabulary acquisition, plus incredible gamification.
LightSail fosters a love of reading with tens of thousands of high-interest classic and contemporary titles, non-fiction, and audiobooks with embedded features to support grammar & vocabulary acquisition, plus incredible gamification.
Full-Text Books
Robust Digital Library
Team Reading
Literacy Circles
Reading Speed Alerts
Accelerated Reading Modes
Educator Content Builder
Personalized Book Recommendations
Text-Embedded Questions
Homework Assignments
Embedded Grammar Practice
Spelling Bee
In-Text Action Clips
Writing & Composition Modules
Vocabulary Tools
Fluency Modules
Badging
Tournaments & Personalized Gamification
Font & Text-Size Modification
Specialized Modules for SpEd & Struggling Readers
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...
See what others in education are saying about LightSail!
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COMPARE LIGHTSAIL
READING
Full-Text Books
Adaptive, Robust Digital Library
Team Reading & Literary Circles
Reading Speed Alerts
Accelerated Reading Modes
Educator Content Builder
Personalized Book Recommendations
ADDITIONAL FEATURES & MODULES
Text-Embedded Questions
National/State Standard Alignment
Homework Assignments
Lexile Level Progress Monitoring
Parent Portal
Built-in Rubrics
Multiple Assessment Types Assigned by Educators
Level-Set Assessment
NWEA Map Integration
SSO Integration
WRITING
Student-Authored Books
Digital Student-Authored School Libraries
Variety of Writing Modules
Citation Support
VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR
Vocabulary Tools
Vocab Mastery
Embedded Grammar Practice
Spelling Bee
Printable Remediation Worksheets
FLUENCY
Oral Fluency Builder Tools
Running Record
Narration (Retelling)
Speak-Listen-Write
TELPAS Practice
GAMIFICATION
Badging
Custom Tournaments
Student Goal Setting
25K+ Curated Ed. Videos
Background Display Customization
TEACHER-CREATED ASSESSMENTS
Embed multiple-choice & short response questions within any text
Personally add questions to support specific curricular needs
Tag questions with standards to ensure mastery
All scoring kept within the platform for reports and analysis
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Content
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Grades
Genres
e-Bookstore
Custom Content Uploads
Whole Books
Non-Fiction Articles
Reading Modes
Audiobooks
Languages
Embedded Assessments
10,000+ books (differentiated reading levels)
Yes
Yes
K-12
Classic
Contemporary
High-Interest
Contemporary
High-Interest
100,000+ books available from top publishers
Content Builder import content in any language
Yes
Content Builder
Power Text & Free Reading
10,000+
English
Spanish
Chinese
Arabic
Spanish
Chinese
Arabic
Tens of Thousands of embedded, expert-created multiple-choice & short-response questions
3,000 reading passages
Yes
Yes
2-12
n/a
n/a
n/a
No
Yes
Guided Reading & Free Reading
English / Vocabulary
Spanish
Spanish
Comprehension questions at the end of each passage
Alter Lines of On-Screen Text
Screen Contrast
Follow-Along Mode
Blur Mode
Highlight Follow-Along
Cover & Reveal Mode
World Bubbles (CVI)
News Ticker Mode
Spotlight & Laser Tools
Time-on-Task Gamification
Pronunciation Guide
Dyslexia-Friendly Font
Syllabification
Multimodal Support
Notetaking
Graphic Organizers
Word Prediction
Highlighting
Font & Text Size Change
Background Color
Large Print
Text-to-Speech Read Aloud
Simplified Text
Modified Text
Comprehension Questions
Varied Reading Modes
Specific Text Read-Aloud
Goal Setting
Audio Support
Multiple Choice
Tournaments
"Educational Videos (25K+ Curated)"
Badging / Awards
Goal Setting
Personalized Book Recommendations
Custom Avatars
Leaderboards
Reading Streaks
Mastery Rolls (Cloze, Grammar, & Spelling)
In-Text Action Clips
Background Display Customization
Reports available at the district administrator level provide an overview of the district, school, & class-level data. In all of the programs listed, administrators also have availability to access the Teacher- & Student-level reporting features.
Class Stats
School Stats
District Stats
Enrollment Totals
Reading Participation Averages per School
Lexile Growth Averages
Reading Stats by Teacher
Teacher Dashboard
Customizable Metrics
Reading Status per Student
Reports available at the teacher level provide information and data at the class-level to drive classroom instructional decision-making.
Student Clozes
Student Lexile
Student Stats
Assessment Results
Reading Skills Data
Class Progress/Engagement Measures
Students’ Active Reading Numbers
Reading Activity
Reports available detail individual student performance measures.
Minutes Read
Reading Inception Progress
Vocabulary Data
Student Dashboard
Class Participation
Comprehension Data
Time Spent Logged In
Books Read
Pages Read
Words Read
Parent Reports
In-School/After School Minutes
Performance Awards or Badges Earned
Reading Fidelity
Performance by Standard
Remediation Attempts
Number of Log-ins
Annotations Entered by Student
Book Completion vs. Abandonment
Class Chat
Teacher Chat (1-on-1)
Custom Group Chat
Educator Group Chat
Administrative Controls
Parent Portal
Share/Recommend Content
Disable Chat
Multi-Lingual User Interface
Books in Any Language
Add Questions in Any Language
Audio & Text in Any Language
Import Custom Content in Any Language
Pronunciation Read Aloud
Read Aloud in Authentic Accent
Multi-Lingual Audiobooks
Vocabulary Translation
English
Spanish
Chinese
Spanish
Chinese
Yes
Written & Oral
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes, in multiple accents
Thousands available
English
Spanish
Spanish
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Homework Tool & Assignments
Teachers can assign in-school or homework reading assignments & monitor student progress
Adaptive Reader & Library
Adapts text to the appropriate reading level for students, reassessing every 15 days
Vocab Mastery & Word Journeys
Provides definitions, examples, & practice activities for key vocabulary words
My Data & Student Dashboard
Provides students with real-time metacognitive data on reading progress & growth, plus personalized reading recommendations
Adaptive Reader & Library
Adapts text to the appropriate level for students, including adaptive library based on student level & interest
Personalized Reader
& SpEd Scaffolding Tools
& SpEd Scaffolding Tools
Over 60 custom scaffolds & tools to provide accommodations & modifications for students with special needs & reading challenges
LightSail Power Challenge
Adaptive placement text
Continuous Lexile Assessment
Tracks a student’s Lexile level progress with an update every 15 days
Goals & Progress
Helps students set & track reading goals
Adaptive Assignments
All choices are made by the system
Reading Levels
System automatically provides lessons aligned with student’s performance on assessments
Vocabulary (ReadAround)
Students learn words and then see them in their reading passages.
Student Dashboard
Shows reading rate, words read, and reading profile.
Guided Window
Students must used the Guided Window scaffold until the system transitions them to other texts
Visual Skills (iBalance)
Supports the development of visual and perceptual skills with Flash activities & Scan Activities.
InSight
Benchmark assessment to evaluate student growth
3 Dimensions of Silent Reading
Assessments measure capacity, fluency, and motivation.
Benchmarking
All goals and benchmarks are set automatically by the system
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CONTENT BUILDER
Ability to import custom content from almost any website
Ability to import custom content from PDFs, Docs, ePUBs
Select and hide unnecessary information in text
Auto-hide distractions like ads, images, videos, social media links, etc. to focus on content
Option to automatically add cloze assessments
Imported content appears in adaptive e-Reader or Personalized Reader (for struggling readers)
AUTOMATED ASSESSMENTS
Option to add assessments both manually and/or automatically to imported content
Simultaneously create differentiated questions per grade, standard/skill type, and/or depth of knowledge
Adjust the complexity of the answers based on skill level
Option to match questions with individual students’ mastery needs
Option for automated grading done within the platform
Detailed recordkeeping & data analysis per student, question, & document
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LICENSED LIBRARIES
Ability to align 10K books with school’s curricular needs by hiding books from collection
Ability to curate library per school within a district
Ability to curate library per district within a state
Personalized consultation to curate school/district libraries
DISTRICT SHARED LIBRARY
Safe, secure archive for shared content exclusively within your district
Accessible by educators and administrators to support curriculum
PARTNER SHARED LIBRARY
Partner can create & share content to support schools
Direct access to & collaboration with partner/reseller from company
Custom Professional Development content to support teachers
FEATURES
Adaptable libraries & personalized learning tools for academic excellence.
Whole Book Experience
Embedded Assessments
Power Text Mode w/ Cloze Questions
Gamification & Tournaments
Vocabulary & Spelling Modules
Fluency & Running Record
Portfolios & Recordkeeping
Personalized Reader
Content Builder
Team Reading & Literacy Circles
Top 5 Reasons Experts LOVE LightSail!
WHAT DOES A READING EXPERT SAY?
Meet Dr. Kelley McConnell, a current District Administrator and former teacher, with a Master's in Instructional Technology and a Ph.D. in School Leadership. She oversees assessment, curriculum, and student data in her district, providing her with a keen understanding of the needs of students and schools from a pedagogical and technological viewpoint. As a District Administrator in a large K-12 school serving nearly 8,000 students, she has "deeply utilized a number of literacy programs, including Achieve 3000, IXL Language Arts, Newsela, and Reading Eggs."
We asked her to scrutinize LightSail in comparison to the other platforms with which she has worked. Here's her expert take:
LightSail for Schools is a highly-effective literacy program that offers a personalized learning experience to improve students' reading skills. LightSail outperforms competitors such as Achieve3000, IXL, Newsela, and Reading Eggs in terms of its robust program offerings.
Some of the advantages of LightSail for Schools include its emphasis on personalized learning, the ability to individualize instruction and the focus on building reading skills that are essential for academic success. Additionally, LightSail's comprehensive approach to literacy instruction includes a wide range of tools and resources that make it a top choice for school districts looking to improve student reading skills.
Of the many programs that I have used and explored as a district administrator,
LightSail for Schools outperforms them all.
Expert Analysis
Personalized Learning
LightSail for Schools uses an adaptive technology that tailors the reading materials to the students’ Lexile reading level and interests. This means that students are presented with content that is just right for their reading abilities, allowing them to make progress at their own pace and empowers them by allowing them to choose their own reading material from a collection of whole books.
Real-Time Assessment through Cloze Activities
The program also provides real-time data on students’ reading progress, comprehension, and vocabulary. Teachers can use this data to identify areas of strength and weakness, and then make informed decisions on how to support, accommodate, and differentiate learning for individual students.
Cloze activities are a tool designed to help students improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. The Cloze feature presents students with a text that Lexile-appropriate words removed. They then choose from four options to fill in the missing word. This adapts to each student’s reading level and provides them with texts that are challenging, but still within their zone of proximal development.
By providing immediate feedback to students, it lets them know whether their answers are correct or incorrect. Incorrect answers are then sent to Vocab Mastery, where they can review definitions, synonyms, and hear the word pronounced, and then retake the missed cloze for mastery.
Cloze activities are a tool designed to help students improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. The Cloze feature presents students with a text that Lexile-appropriate words removed. They then choose from four options to fill in the missing word. This adapts to each student’s reading level and provides them with texts that are challenging, but still within their zone of proximal development.
By providing immediate feedback to students, it lets them know whether their answers are correct or incorrect. Incorrect answers are then sent to Vocab Mastery, where they can review definitions, synonyms, and hear the word pronounced, and then retake the missed cloze for mastery.
Extensive Full-Length Book Library
LightSail for Schools has an extensive library of texts and full-length books, many of which contain state and national standards-aligned assessment questions and tagging. The program offers a wide range of genres and formats, including both fiction and non-fiction digital and audio texts. LightSail is a great alternative to a traditional library, allowing student choice to develop their own interests as a reader.
Robust SpEd & Intervention Support Tools
LightSail’s program includes 60 different tools to customize the reading experience within their Personalized Reader. It adapts to each student’s needs with options to save in individual templates to support struggling readers.
Built-in accommodation templates can be used from day one and customized as needed.
Personalized Reader tools allow for unique customization for special education needs to include accommodations for students with dyslexia, ADHD, visual impairments, autism, and other challenges.
Built-in accommodation templates can be used from day one and customized as needed.
Personalized Reader tools allow for unique customization for special education needs to include accommodations for students with dyslexia, ADHD, visual impairments, autism, and other challenges.
Embedded Literacy Skills & "Vocab Mastery"
LightSail embeds literacy skills throughout the content, so students are not just learning to read, but also developing important literacy skills naturally throughout their reading. Moving beyond the worksheet, LightSail makes the most of every reading opportunity by capitalizing on areas where students can continue to grow.
The "Vocab Mastery" module provides students with a series of interactive word games and activities that are personalized to their reading level and individual needs. The games and activities include word matching, word puzzles, and word scrambles, and are designed to help students learn new words and improve their ability to recognize and use those words in context.
One of the key benefits of the Vocab Mastery feature is that it provides immediate feedback to students, allowing students to learn from their mistakes and continue to improve their skills over time.
The "Vocab Mastery" module provides students with a series of interactive word games and activities that are personalized to their reading level and individual needs. The games and activities include word matching, word puzzles, and word scrambles, and are designed to help students learn new words and improve their ability to recognize and use those words in context.
One of the key benefits of the Vocab Mastery feature is that it provides immediate feedback to students, allowing students to learn from their mistakes and continue to improve their skills over time.
Engagement Features & Reporting
LightSail for Schools also has gamification elements that keep students motivated and engaged in their learning. Students earn badges, points, and rewards for completing challenges and reaching milestones, making the learning experience more enjoyable and exciting.
Additionally, parents, teachers, and administrators can easily track student progress in Lexile level, reading minutes, and assessment activity.
Additionally, parents, teachers, and administrators can easily track student progress in Lexile level, reading minutes, and assessment activity.
Adaptive Technology
One of the critical advantages of LightSail for Schools is its adaptive technology, which tailors the reading materials to the students’ reading level and interests. This feature enables students to receive content that is "just right" for their reading abilities, allowing them to make progress at their own pace.
Data-Informed Differentiation
The program features such as Clozes and Vocab Mastery provide real-time data on students’ reading progress, comprehension, and vocabulary, giving teachers the ability to make informed decisions on how to support individual students.
Whole Book Approach
Above all, the access to full-length books that are interesting, engaging, and appropriate for students is a wonderful feature in promoting the love of reading and lifelong learning.
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QUESTIONS BY EDUCATORS FOR EDUCATORS
What evidence do you have that LightSail actually works?! I see that you are not listed on evidence for ESSA...
While LightSail might not be specially called out in the ESSA evidence, the product is based in research-backed science of learning strategies. Our literacy and phonics program is built on the trusted science of reading research. The literature and research support LightSail’s product thesis of Access + Engagement + Motivation = Mastery.
Additionally, a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Education showed that students who read for 30 minutes a day on LightSail show gains of 3.9x on their Lexile scores. (LightSail customers, many of whom have continued to use LightSail over a period of years with a diverse group of students, are also able to share about the positive impact of LightSail on student literacy growth in their respective districts, schools, and classes)
Additionally, a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Education showed that students who read for 30 minutes a day on LightSail show gains of 3.9x on their Lexile scores. (LightSail customers, many of whom have continued to use LightSail over a period of years with a diverse group of students, are also able to share about the positive impact of LightSail on student literacy growth in their respective districts, schools, and classes)
We have a well-stocked library in the school. Why should we dedicate more budget (which we don’t have!) to a digital library?
There are several benefits of using LightSail’s digital library over a regular library.
With LightSail’s digital library, students have access to a wide range of books, many of which may not be available in their local library. It also includes books at a range of reading levels, allowing teachers to differentiate instruction and provide targeted support for struggling readers.
The digital library can also be accessed from any location with an internet connection (students can continue reading a book even when they are offline).
Struggling readers and SpEd students particularly benefit from LightSails unique Personalized Reader, with over 60 instant accommodations and tools to help students read their way, and then save those in templates for later use.
LightSail’s digital library includes tools for progress monitoring, allowing teachers to track individual student reading progress and adjust instruction as needed, plus it includes interactive features such as embedded questions and vocabulary activities that help to engage students and deepen their understanding of the text.
LightSail’s digital library is available 24/7, making it a convenient option for students who may not have access to a physical library or who have busy schedules outside of school.
With LightSail’s digital library, students have access to a wide range of books, many of which may not be available in their local library. It also includes books at a range of reading levels, allowing teachers to differentiate instruction and provide targeted support for struggling readers.
The digital library can also be accessed from any location with an internet connection (students can continue reading a book even when they are offline).
Struggling readers and SpEd students particularly benefit from LightSails unique Personalized Reader, with over 60 instant accommodations and tools to help students read their way, and then save those in templates for later use.
LightSail’s digital library includes tools for progress monitoring, allowing teachers to track individual student reading progress and adjust instruction as needed, plus it includes interactive features such as embedded questions and vocabulary activities that help to engage students and deepen their understanding of the text.
LightSail’s digital library is available 24/7, making it a convenient option for students who may not have access to a physical library or who have busy schedules outside of school.
On LightSail, do I have to buy books in addition to the license fee?
No, you don’t have to buy books separately on LightSail, but the option is available for the school or for parents to purchase extra books as desired.
The platform has a digital library that provides access to thousands of books across various genres and reading levels. The license fee covers the cost of accessing this library and using the platform’s reading and assessment features.
The platform has a digital library that provides access to thousands of books across various genres and reading levels. The license fee covers the cost of accessing this library and using the platform’s reading and assessment features.
Our School Board is very strict on which books can be used. How do you assure that students are not expose to inappropriate content?
Books can be removed from the school library with just a click. This can be done at a class or district level. Schools and districts can also work with LightSail to create their own customized libraries.
Budgets are tight this year. How are other districts using LightSail to stretch their funds?
LightSail is cross-curricular and can be used in many subject areas to support reading comprehension. Additionally, parents, community members, and donors can actually buy books from the e-Bookstore for the school - teachers can even host their own digital Book Fairs to enhance their classroom libraries!
LightSail actually functions as a full digital library, accessible to every student on any device at any time, which can provide a great savings to districts.
LightSail actually functions as a full digital library, accessible to every student on any device at any time, which can provide a great savings to districts.
My education team has been using myON / Achieve 3000 for years. It sounds like your tool is pretty much the same thing...is it?
LightSail is both deeper and broader than Achieve 3000. The adaptive reader, Personalized Reader for struggling readers, customizable student accommodations, content builder, and full-length library options are unique only to LightSail and cannot be found in comparable products.
My teachers are already overwhelmed and hard-pressed for time. Will it take long to learn the program?
No - the program is very intuitively designed and easy to navigate. There is a robust training system built into every feature that provides a video overview of how to use it.
LightSail will end up saving teachers time and energy because it has so much already available for them to use. It will make the day-to-day easier for teachers.
LightSail will end up saving teachers time and energy because it has so much already available for them to use. It will make the day-to-day easier for teachers.
Why should we switch to LightSail?
LightSail is the only literacy tool that is built to support a love of reading and foster lifelong independent readers without sacrificing progress monitoring and accountability measures. Your teachers, students, and parents will love this choice!
What makes LightSail different? Why should we try it?
Having access to full-length books from top publishers is worth it in itself. Additionally, for students with IEPs, LightSail has the most customizable accommodations that are personalized and unique to the needs of each individual student.
Teachers can also import content and create their own libraries - even including student-authored and teacher-authored books!
Teachers can also import content and create their own libraries - even including student-authored and teacher-authored books!
It seems like all programs allow for assessing Oral Reading Fluency. Why is yours any different?
While other programs may provide opportunity to assess oral fluency, the retelling features in LightSail’s fluency builder go above and beyond the rest. Students are able to record their own voice reading the text or summarizing the story, which teachers can then grade according to already provided rubrics.
I hear LightSail is expensive! We’re using Newsela for free.
Newsela is limited to article-based reading, and LightSail has a full library of texts and full-length novels. Additionally, LightSail has a content builder option where you can upload any of your favorite articles or texts to use within the program. LightSail’s powerful Power Text reading mode provides for rich literacy engagement that goes beyond comprehension. LightSail can do everything that Newsela can...plus so much more.
In iReady/Reading Plus/Reading AtoZ, I have instructional guides and lesson plans to help me with intervention, teaching specific ELA topics, and literacy skills. Does LightSail?
Yes! LightSail has activities, rubrics, teaching units, and instructional tools to support intervention and specific ELA/literacy tools. All of the tools and benefits of those reading programs are found within LightSail, plus many, many more rich, embedded literacy and fluency tools.
Seems like LightSail is just built for independent reading. How would I use LightSail instructionally?
LightSail is a great tool to use to differentiate instruction. LightSail allows you to assign one text to students, but have the content differentiated based on their individual reading level and needs. This makes it an ideal tool for differentiated instruction, as you can provide each student with a customized learning experience.
You can also assign quizzes or writing prompts to accompany the readings, and use the data to guide your instruction.
LightSail also has rich data on students’ reading progress and Lexile levels, which can help you to monitor their growth over time. This can inform your instructional decisions, and help you to adjust your teaching to meet the needs of each student.
You can also assign quizzes or writing prompts to accompany the readings, and use the data to guide your instruction.
LightSail also has rich data on students’ reading progress and Lexile levels, which can help you to monitor their growth over time. This can inform your instructional decisions, and help you to adjust your teaching to meet the needs of each student.
How is LightSail used in the classroom? How would I use LightSail for a whole-class novel?
Teachers can set reading goals for students, and then use LightSail to track progress towards these goals. This can help motivate students to read more and improve their reading skills. Teachers can use LightSail’s built-in assessments to gauge students’ comprehension of the material. These assessments can be used to identify areas where students may need additional support.
We have 3 SpEd classes using MindPlay. Why do we also need LightSail?
The special education accommodations available in LightSail are unmatched in any other program. LightSail complements learning-to-read programs such as MindPlay by offering a fully-customizable literacy program that is individualized for every student.
A few of the many features include:
- Text-to-Speech to support struggling readers or students with visual impairments.
- Adjusted Reading Levels to adjust the reading level of books to suit the needs of individual students.
- A dictionary feature that allows students to look up the meanings of unfamiliar words, supporting students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
- Various visual aids such as illustrations, images, and videos support students’ comprehension of the text.
- A range of text formats, including audio and interactive texts, to engage learners with diverse learning styles.
- Teacher-assignment of reading materials to meet individual student needs, such as books with a lower reading level or texts that focus on specific skills.
We already do NWEA MAP / State Lexile assessments. It seems like LightSail is an unnecessary duplication. Is it?
LightSail goes far beyond assessment because it tracks students in real-time, updates student Lexile scores every 15 days, promotes a love of reading, and is an engaging literacy tool. Students can track their reading progress and see how many books they’ve read, how many words they’ve read, how much time they’ve spent reading, and track their own data, increasing metacognition. This can help students feel a sense of accomplishment and encourage them to continue reading.
One of my colleagues/I used LightSail in 2016 - it was terrible! Always crashing, software issues, books not opening. We did not renew as a result. Is this still the case?
No, my experience with LightSail has been seamless. The product works quickly and is very stable.
Our school doesn’t need a digital reading solution or digital library. Most of our students are reading well below grade level and need basic support. What could help us?
LightSail supports students who are reading below grade level and can help them improve their literacy skills. LightSail’s adaptive algorithm automatically adjusts a student’s reading level to match their reading ability, ensuring that they are always reading at an appropriate level. Additionally, LightSail offers a guided reading mode that provides support to students as they read, including definitions for challenging vocabulary words, highlighting of key ideas and themes, and prompts to help students make connections to their own experiences.
COVID created screentime and device overload. We just want real books in our students’ hands. Why would we go digital?
Books in hand are a great tool and can’t be replaced; however, LightSail is an awesome complement to a traditional library. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Digital libraries are more cost-effective as well, providing more content to more students anytime, anywhere. The LightSail platform also supports hybrid learning.
How is LightSail used within the current Science of Reading / Structured Literacy approach?
LightSail can be used as part of a structured literacy approach to support students in developing their reading skills. LightSail provides numerous tools and resources that support structured literacy instruction, including:
- Text leveling: LightSail uses a leveling system to categorize books by complexity, making it easier for teachers to select appropriate texts for their students.
- Vocabulary development: LightSail offers tools for vocabulary development, including a built-in dictionary and adaptive vocabulary practice.
- Comprehension: LightSail provides a range of tools to support comprehension, including embedded questions, assessments, and analytics that help teachers identify areas where students may be struggling.
- Phonemic awareness: LightSail offers a range of phonemic awareness activities to help students develop their phonological processing skills.
- Decoding: LightSail’s features support students in learning to decode, specifically the syllabification feature.
- Fluency: LightSail supports fluency development through timed reading activities, narration, running record, speak-listen-write, and speed alerts.
I heard that LightSail is only relevant for elementary and middle school students. What about the high school students in our district?
LightSail is absolutely relevant for high school students. It includes whole books that are appropriate for high school students, including the classics such as Treasure Island, The Scarlett Letter, and The Call of the Wild.
In addition, it supports composition skills with its various writing modules, and can support students in learning to research in a controlled environment.
It prepares students for higher education by embedding Lexile-appropriate questions in multiple-choice and short-answer format tagged with state-standards.
In addition, it encourages collaboration and critical thinking within a group setting by using its Team Reading and Literacy Circle modules, and chat features.
In addition, it supports composition skills with its various writing modules, and can support students in learning to research in a controlled environment.
It prepares students for higher education by embedding Lexile-appropriate questions in multiple-choice and short-answer format tagged with state-standards.
In addition, it encourages collaboration and critical thinking within a group setting by using its Team Reading and Literacy Circle modules, and chat features.
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