Writing
LIGHTSAIL BRINGS WRITING TO LIFE
Your child will be supported and inspired as they progress through LightSail's writing modules. LightSail seamlessly integrates reading and writing to reinforce your child's skill growth.
Try our Writing Workshop
This game will spark your child's creativity! Your child will spin the wheel and will be given a writing format and a real-life prompt. They will be required to think critically about necessary information, organization, author's voice and their audience.
Try it for yourself and see how your child will be asked to work on writing skills in a fun, relatable, and realistic manner.
Press on the wheel to start!
Learn how LightSail’s library is tailored to your child’s reading level!
Age Range
LightSail for Reading at Home is designed for children ages 8-18.
Rubrics
Want to know how your child's writing is progressing? LightSail has assessments and rubrics to help parents understand the progression of writing skills.
Clear Directions
Your child will be given easy to follow writing prompts with both written and video directions. In addition, you can add your own written or audio directions to help your child through each step of the writing process.
Your Data
LightSail provides you with information you can understand about your child's writing, as well as with rubrics, teacher guidance, and sample pieces so you can see how your child is learning.
Integrating Reading and Writing
Writing prompts will require your child to think critically and write about what they have read, with all the steps broken into manageable pieces.
Types of Writing
Your child will be exposed to the step by step process of many different writing formats, from a K-W-L inquiry paragraph to a journal entry to an essay.
Social Media
LightSail allows both parents and children to display their accomplishments on social media platforms.
Gamification
LightSail makes writing fun with the ability to earn badges, gift rewards, motivational messages, and more!
Parental Controls
LightSail gives you complete control over the content your child can access.
Parent Involvement
You can assign your child a specific type of writing prompt or skill practice, as well as send your child motivational messages and helpful feedback all in LightSail.
Learn how LightSail uses
Gamification
Meet the educators who contributed to our modules.
Chrsitine Roman-Lantzy (Ph.D)
🎓 Behaviors Characteristic of CVI and SPED Teacher
Christine Roman was raised in Michigan and received degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education/Visual Impairment at Michigan State University. She worked as an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area for 17 years prior to becoming a Research Assistant in the Vision Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, she completed studies in Orientation & Mobility and received a Master’s Degree in Medically Fragile/High Risk Infants.
Her doctoral studies were also completed at Pitt where she completed a Ph.D. in 1996; her dissertation, Validation of an Interview Instrument to Identify Behaviors Characteristic of Cortical Visual Impairment in Infants revealed that caregivers of infants can reliably report regarding the presence or absence of the characteristics of CVI.
Dr. Roman is the Director of The Pediatric View Program at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and a former Project Leader of the CVI Project at The American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, KY.
She has lectured extensively regarding the CVI educational materials she has developed. These materials include: The CVI Range an assessment of functional vision, and The CVI Resolution Chart & CVI/O&M Resolution Chart used to plot and monitor progress both of which will be available in a book in press (working title, CVI: Identification, Assessment & Intervention) with The American Foundation for the Blind.
🎓 Behaviors Characteristic of CVI and SPED Teacher
Christine Roman was raised in Michigan and received degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education/Visual Impairment at Michigan State University. She worked as an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area for 17 years prior to becoming a Research Assistant in the Vision Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, she completed studies in Orientation & Mobility and received a Master’s Degree in Medically Fragile/High Risk Infants.
Her doctoral studies were also completed at Pitt where she completed a Ph.D. in 1996; her dissertation, Validation of an Interview Instrument to Identify Behaviors Characteristic of Cortical Visual Impairment in Infants revealed that caregivers of infants can reliably report regarding the presence or absence of the characteristics of CVI.
Dr. Roman is the Director of The Pediatric View Program at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and a former Project Leader of the CVI Project at The American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, KY.
She has lectured extensively regarding the CVI educational materials she has developed. These materials include: The CVI Range an assessment of functional vision, and The CVI Resolution Chart & CVI/O&M Resolution Chart used to plot and monitor progress both of which will be available in a book in press (working title, CVI: Identification, Assessment & Intervention) with The American Foundation for the Blind.
Allison Kelly
🎓 Team Leader
Allison started her teaching career in New Jersey as a 9-12th grade English teacher. During this time, she also worked with a local community college and four-year college teaching Writing and Literature. After ten years in New Jersey, she relocated to Florida where she worked as a College Prep, IB, and ESOL English teacher for three years. As a Department Chair, she learned the power of goal setting and data-driven instruction to amplify Best Practices instruction.
While earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at American InterContinental University, she explored what motivated educational stakeholders ranging from students through administration. With this knowledge, she developed motivational strategies to drive results in her classroom, department, school, and community.
If she could be any fictional character from a children’s book, she would be Pippi Longstocking. Much like Pippi, Allison celebrates resilience, kindness, fairness, and acceptance.
🎓 Team Leader
Allison started her teaching career in New Jersey as a 9-12th grade English teacher. During this time, she also worked with a local community college and four-year college teaching Writing and Literature. After ten years in New Jersey, she relocated to Florida where she worked as a College Prep, IB, and ESOL English teacher for three years. As a Department Chair, she learned the power of goal setting and data-driven instruction to amplify Best Practices instruction.
While earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at American InterContinental University, she explored what motivated educational stakeholders ranging from students through administration. With this knowledge, she developed motivational strategies to drive results in her classroom, department, school, and community.
If she could be any fictional character from a children’s book, she would be Pippi Longstocking. Much like Pippi, Allison celebrates resilience, kindness, fairness, and acceptance.
Ashley Klewin
🎓 English Teacher
Ashley is a Midwest elementary school teacher with six years of teaching experience. Since beginning her teaching career, she has taught fourth and fifth grades, as well as elementary students of all ages in an English Language Learner classroom setting. During this time in her career she grew to identify herself as a culturally responsive teacher, and further developed her interest in literacy instruction.
As a lifelong, avid reader herself, Ashley strives to instill a love for reading in her students as she shares her love for books in her classroom. With a great passion for literacy, she recently earned her Master’s Degree in Reading Education. While earning her degree she expanded her knowledge of best practices in literacy instruction, data collection, and assessment, which she now incorporates in her student-centered fifth grade classroom.
If she could be any fictional book character, she would be Alice from “Alice and Wonderland.” Fueled by curiosity, Ashley is always ready to try something new both inside and outside of the classroom.
🎓 English Teacher
Ashley is a Midwest elementary school teacher with six years of teaching experience. Since beginning her teaching career, she has taught fourth and fifth grades, as well as elementary students of all ages in an English Language Learner classroom setting. During this time in her career she grew to identify herself as a culturally responsive teacher, and further developed her interest in literacy instruction.
As a lifelong, avid reader herself, Ashley strives to instill a love for reading in her students as she shares her love for books in her classroom. With a great passion for literacy, she recently earned her Master’s Degree in Reading Education. While earning her degree she expanded her knowledge of best practices in literacy instruction, data collection, and assessment, which she now incorporates in her student-centered fifth grade classroom.
If she could be any fictional book character, she would be Alice from “Alice and Wonderland.” Fueled by curiosity, Ashley is always ready to try something new both inside and outside of the classroom.
Kelli Trenga (Ph.D)
🎓 Educational Leadership and SPED-Elementary
Kelli Trenga, Ed.D. is the coordinator of PENNCREST Cyber Academy in western Pennsylvania. She previously taught various levels of elementary education for over 15 years, with heavy emphasis on literacy instruction and special education. During that time, Kelli was honored with the Crawford County’s Educator of the Year award. She holds degrees in Elementary and Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction from Mercyhurst University and Gannon University, respectfully.
Her passion for education drove her to pursue her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Her dissertation was a phenomenological study of dental professionals’ preparedness to manage the behaviors of patients with autism spectrum disorder during dental treatment. In addition to professional pursuits, Kelli serves on local boards for the United Way and Child to Family to Connections. She resides in Meadville, Pa. with her husband and two sons.
🎓 Educational Leadership and SPED-Elementary
Kelli Trenga, Ed.D. is the coordinator of PENNCREST Cyber Academy in western Pennsylvania. She previously taught various levels of elementary education for over 15 years, with heavy emphasis on literacy instruction and special education. During that time, Kelli was honored with the Crawford County’s Educator of the Year award. She holds degrees in Elementary and Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction from Mercyhurst University and Gannon University, respectfully.
Her passion for education drove her to pursue her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Her dissertation was a phenomenological study of dental professionals’ preparedness to manage the behaviors of patients with autism spectrum disorder during dental treatment. In addition to professional pursuits, Kelli serves on local boards for the United Way and Child to Family to Connections. She resides in Meadville, Pa. with her husband and two sons.
Haley Wilson
🎓 Middle School English Reading Teacher
Haley teaches high school English in the Southwest, working with students of all ability levels. She’s taught grades 6-12, both as a Special Education and General Education teacher. Haley’s pedagogical approach is rooted in empathy and ethnomethodology, allowing her to create and implement curricula designed to meaningfully engage all students across multiple mediums, reinforced by data-driven reflection.
Earning her Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching with a specialized focus in Special Education has equipped her with the tools necessary to provide equitable access to content materials for all learners. At the same time, she challenges and encourages her colleagues to do the same. A Teacher of the Year nominee, Haley’s development of heterogeneous materials has cultivated her students’ trust and excitement in their exploration of content in her classroom.
Her colleagues and administration revere her curriculum application and adaptation. Encompassed by any fictional literary character, she would be Matilda, consistently looking to reading as a stronghold in the face of a challenge, guided by strong moral ethics and a great sense of humor.
🎓 Middle School English Reading Teacher
Haley teaches high school English in the Southwest, working with students of all ability levels. She’s taught grades 6-12, both as a Special Education and General Education teacher. Haley’s pedagogical approach is rooted in empathy and ethnomethodology, allowing her to create and implement curricula designed to meaningfully engage all students across multiple mediums, reinforced by data-driven reflection.
Earning her Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching with a specialized focus in Special Education has equipped her with the tools necessary to provide equitable access to content materials for all learners. At the same time, she challenges and encourages her colleagues to do the same. A Teacher of the Year nominee, Haley’s development of heterogeneous materials has cultivated her students’ trust and excitement in their exploration of content in her classroom.
Her colleagues and administration revere her curriculum application and adaptation. Encompassed by any fictional literary character, she would be Matilda, consistently looking to reading as a stronghold in the face of a challenge, guided by strong moral ethics and a great sense of humor.
Vida Mercer
🎓 Lead Evangelist
As a second-generation homeschooler, Vida has over 25 years of active experience in the homeschooling community as both a student and parent. Vida retired from a career as a litigation paralegal to homeschool her own daughters and discovered that assisting and encouraging others in their homeschooling journey was her true calling.
She has written locally and nationally on the topic, edited and developed curriculum, and helped countless families make homeschooling work for them. Now, she is delighted to share LightSail with homeschooling families and come alongside them in their quest to raise fully literate, lifelong readers.
🎓 Lead Evangelist
As a second-generation homeschooler, Vida has over 25 years of active experience in the homeschooling community as both a student and parent. Vida retired from a career as a litigation paralegal to homeschool her own daughters and discovered that assisting and encouraging others in their homeschooling journey was her true calling.
She has written locally and nationally on the topic, edited and developed curriculum, and helped countless families make homeschooling work for them. Now, she is delighted to share LightSail with homeschooling families and come alongside them in their quest to raise fully literate, lifelong readers.
Buy one
For every LightSail subscription you purchase for your family . . .
Donate one
. . . the LightSail Foundation will match it and donate a subscription to the charity you select.
Our 90 day money back guarantee
30 Minutes a Day + 5 Days a Week + 3 Months = GUARANTEE your child’s independent reading level will improve.*
We're here to help!
Find answers to frequently asked questions or contact us for more support.
You can email us at
How do I know what books are right for my child?
LightSail takes the guesswork out of choosing books for your child by tailoring each child’s library to their precise reading level.
By honing in on a child’s precise LexileⓇ reading score, LightSail can match them with books that are at that “just-right” level to promote optimal reading progress.
And because LightSail contains such a wide-ranging array of content, there is always a vast selection of books for any topic or interest.
What ages/grades is LightSail for?
LightSail’s Premium and Standard subscriptions are designed for children in grades 3 through 12 (ages 8-18).
We also have a World Book Kids subscription for grades 1 through 2 (ages 5-7) and a World Book Early Learners subscription for PreK through K (ages 2-5).
Is LightSail different from an Amazon Kindle or other e-readers?
Unlike static e-readers, LightSail doesn’t just offer children books.
Every book and article in LightSail contains 6 layers of added features that let your child experience books.
By adapting to a child’s precise reading ability, offering them content that is at that “just-right” reading level to promote literacy growth, and providing a fully customizable, rewarding reading experience, LightSail unlocks the magic of reading in ways no physical book or static e-reader can.
What types of parental control do I have over my child’s activity and content?
In short, complete control.
LightSail contains an entire suite of parental control features that govern every aspect of the platform from video viewing, to chats, to what content can be seen and accessed.
Additionally, LightSail’s revolutionary ChildSafe Content Controls lets parents screen and block content according to dozens of nuanced subcategories based on maturity factors, family values, and religious topics.
How can I make reading fun for my child?
LightSail incorporates gamification features into every aspect of the platform, especially reading!
By integrating badges, goals and milestones, social sharing options, motivational messages, and the ability for parents to add customizable gift rewards, LightSail incentivizes reading, writing, and learning just like kids’ favorite games.
Parental Controls
Parental Controls allows you to relax while your child is in LightSail. You have complete oversight of all of your child's activities. The ChildSafe matrix lets you control the content your child is allowed to read. You will be guided through the Parental Controls set up, so you never have to worry about whether a book is not appropriate for your child.
About Us
We are LightSail for Reading at Home-a literacy and language arts platform adapted from LightSail Education. LightSail Education has been working to advance literacy skills in K-12 schools since 2012.
Gamification
LightSail has built gamification into every step of your child’s journey. They can set goals, earn badges, use social sharing, and gift rewards. These practices make learning in LightSail fun and rewarding. Your child will be encouraged and excited to read.
