Students who struggle to read don't fit into a standard reading program. For them, even looking at the first few words on the page can induce anxiety.
LightSail’s Personalized Reader supports your struggling readers with our ready-to-use templates designed by our SPED team - and then you can fine tune with our unique tools to meet their individual needs.
Ready-to-Use Templates Help Struggling Readers!
Our expert team of special educators created specialized templates for specific learning needs.
Use these as a foundation & then try out the additional tools for your individual reader’s needs.
ADHD
A smooth-scrolling single line of visible text with spaced Comic Sans font in dark mode offers increased focus.
Specially-designed fonts support students with dyslexia, with widened spacing between letters and words, and 3 visible lines of text. Follow along as the text highlights and hear it read aloud if you choose. Syllabification is available when needed.
See words highlighted and listen as they are read aloud and then covered to move eyes forward. Spotlight a single line of text for increased focus. Timed reading time and break time increases motivation.
Only three words at a time are visible in the Reading Zone, highlighted and covered after they are read aloud. Standard settings for the same appearance each time offers predictability. Time on Task helps increase motivation with built-in breaks.
Three lines of text with a simple font that smoothly scroll across the screen help the reader to focus as the spaced words highlight across the screen.
Large font with syllabification helps emergent readers to sound out and track words across the screen. They can follow along as the words highlight, and even hear words read by syllable.
Amp up the fun with personalization - colors, fonts, & modes. They can follow along as the words highlight, answering cloze comprehension questions until their Time on Task runs out and it’s game time!
Color-coding & soothing audio tracks can help the anxious student focus, with Time on Task helping them meet their reading-minute goals & take a focused-breathing break.
Time on Task helps you bring the fun! Personalize with colors so this template can be their own, while games & focused breathing help to break up the time. Students feel in control with these features.
Make reading easier with Comic Sans in larger font with increased spacing between letters and words. Read aloud or silently with a word-to-word moving black arrow for easy tracking. Offer timed reading with game or deep breathing breaks in between to increase motivation.
Predictability & standardized tools supports students, with easier text plus pictures & larger font. The Time on Task helps to break up the reading time with break activities.
Predictability is key, with minimum wording, graphics, and choices. Three words at a time in a dyslexic-friendly font, highlighting and then covered as they are read aloud in a slower pace.
A single line of text with syllabified words allows students to follow along as words are framed and highlighted and/or read aloud by syllable at a decreased pace.
The revolutionary World Bubble mode offers independence for CVI students as they follow along as words are read aloud. Spacing between words and letters can be adjusted as well.
Specific text adaptations focus on increased font size and spacing between letters, and color contrast between the words and the background. Words are underlined as they are read aloud.
In this template, start with one line of visible text in smooth-scrolling News Ticker mode. Text size is increased with words and letters spaced farther apart. The screen is in dark mode, which is sometimes preferred by those with ADHD. The font is Comic Sans. If a child needs to stand or move a lot while reading, this may be a good template for them.
In this template, a specific font design for students who have dyslexia shows 3 lines of visible text, though this assumes that the student has had instruction in a multisensory explicit phonics program. If they are just beginning their journey with an explicit phonics program, feel free to reduce this to one line of text. Words 3 syllables and longer have been syllabified. When using the Follow Along or Text-to-Speech, words appear in a frame and multisyllabic words are divided inside this box. The syllable delay is slightly longer to allow time for decoding these longer words. Words have been spaced widely, as well as letters within words.
In this template, start with four to five choices - larger print and slightly more complex wording than for a student in the low-functioning ASD range, along with a picture symbol to accompany the word or words. Each choice is color-coded so it will be easy for the student to access. Additionally, a first/then board may be appropriate - first read, then play video games. The Time on Task tool may help a student stay on task during their work time. A timer would be appropriate so they know how long they have remaining on the task or break. A student using this template may appreciate playing video games, but still may benefit from a movement/sensory break. They may be able to handle an equal amount of break versus work time. Additionally, this student may like to have calming music playing during work/break sessions to keep calm and focused. The Read Aloud feature will be very important for this student, and should be set at a below average pace, along with the Cover Left option on which covers words as they are read. The screen is set in Blur Mode with half-shaded opacity so the targeted words are focused in the Reading Zone. Spotlight mode with the Line setting will brighten individual lines of text for aided focus.
In this template, students are given three to four choices at most. The print will be large, using simplisitic wording - one to two word descriptions would be best. Allow each choice to be color-coded, and include a picture symbol to aid in the student’s understanding of the icon’s purpose. A first/then board can help the student stay on task, and anticipate what is coming next. Simplifying is best. Make sure the app is in one place and does not change. The default settings will include one visible line of text in the Reading Zone with 3 words visible. Words will highlight as they are read, with Cover and Reveal mode on, only allowing three words to be shown at a time in the Reading Zone. The Time on Task tool may be used for the student to let them know how long they have on the task or the break. During their break, they may definitely benefit from a chance to move, or play with a favorite toy, or do deep breathing exercises (available on the Time on Task tool) to keep themselves stimulated and ready to work on the next task. These students may require more a higher break-to-work time ratio which can be adjusted in the Time on Task tool. They may benefit from calming music to stay focused on the work or break task, with different options available with the Audio button. Minimum break choices are customizable to not overwhelm the student. Keep graphics, words, and pictures minimal to avoid distractions and keep the student on task. Read Aloud mode will be very important for this student, set at a very slow pace as the default for the student to comprehend the text. Play Back mode for this student will be important to gather important details, and it may be a preferred activity-giving stimulation to this individual.
In this template, the Reading Zone displays 3 lines of visible text in dark mode using Comic Sans font. Both words and letters are spaced farther apart. The Follow Along option is set to highlight with the smooth scrolling off, which highlights each word in its entirety.
In this template, the Reading Zone displays 5 lines of visible text in light mode. The spaces between words are slightly larger. Because of the comprehension needs of the language processing student, Read Along and Text-to-Speech speed is reduced to allow more time to process what is being read or heard.
In this template, the Reading Zone is in light mode showing one line of text at a time. The font is enlarged, with letters and words spaced farther apart. Syllabification is set for 2 and 3 syllable words and the syllable delay is set to on in the Follow Along mode. It is also set to Read Aloud by Syllable, which will read the multisyllabic words aloud for the reader. The Follow Along pace has been reduced to 70 wpm to give the emergent reader time to decode words. Tap to Listen is on so the emergent reader can tap on any unknown word.
In this template, there are customizations for the student who despises reading. The purpose of customizing the reading experience is to increase the student’s extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. The features that are recommended will need a personalized touch. These specific personalizations were designed for a student who loves pink and purple. Allow the student to choose the shading color above and below the text. The opacity is set to the highest resolution to make the contrast the greatest and allow more of the student’s favorite colors to appear. Allow the student to choose their favorite font. The zone background has been set to black with white font displayed to offer a completely different reading experience than the student would typically be used to seeing. As the words are being read, the font color will change to blue, though this color can be changed to the student’s preference. The Text-to-Speech feature is enabled to allow the student to listen along and enjoy hearing the book. The Time on Task feature will be essential to set to provide frequent breaks for time on task and gaming or deep breathing breaks in between reading sessions. Further customizations can be set that the student may enjoy such as a laser and spotlight.
In this template, functionality is clearly labelled, with color coding to be easily distinguishable. Soothing background music can be turned on. The Time on Task tool can be used so the student knows how long they have to go for reading tasks or a break. During breaks, utilize the deep breathing option. Sensory or movement breaks can be encouraged during breaks to increase physical well-being. Cover Left mode can be utilized so the student has an awareness as to how much of the text has been read and how much remains to be read. Allow many customization options that can be utilized to decrease anxiety to show on the student’s dashboard. More customized options may set an anxious student at ease, as any problems that may arise could be off-set by a tool. Playback mode may be important for this student to hear text again, as missing a key text element may frustrate the student.
In this template, the student who needs breaks and positive reinforcement will find success. The Time on Task tool is essential to delineate the length of the work task and the break. A menu option of break choices may help to motivate the student - deep-breathing exercises, video games, positive words, or offer time for a movement break. This student may benefit from motivating positive reinforcement on screen so that he or she knows that they are doing a good job. Offer this student lots of ability for choice and customization so they feel like they are in control of their situation and learning. Cover Left is on as a default to show how much they’ve read so far, and the upcoming text will be slightly shaded. The Negotiator student requires lots of options to motivate - all template options should be available, but not without the teacher allowing access.
In this template, the Reading Zone uses dark mode, with increased font size, as well as spaces between words and letters. Syllable division is enabled for words with 3 or more syllables. In the Follow Along mode, smooth scrolling is off so that the entire word is highlighted at a time.
In this template, find adaptations to make reading easier and increase motivation for students who are considered low-progressing students or students who receive Title reading services. Within the zone, the text is displayed in Comic Sans font with a slightly larger font size and an increased spacing between letters and words. Three lines of text are displayed at once with a Cover Left feature that covers the text as the student reads aloud or silently. A black arrow appears at the beginning of each word replicating a student touching underneath words while reading. Laser mode is an additional feature that could replicate a finger touching beneath each word. Shading is provided above and below the Reading Zone in black to reduce distraction while reading, though allowing the student to choose a favorite color of shading may increase student motivation. Consider enabling the Time on Task feature to reward the student with a game or motivating words celebration for time on task.
In this template, simplistic words plus pictures are very important. A timer to determine the length of a work task and a break length will be very important. The student will require only 3 to 4 items in their dashboard - simple wording, simple picture, and a color coding. Cover and Reveal will show one word at a time with no graphic distractions. The font will offer increased space between the letters and words. Text-to-Speech is set significantly lower than default. Everything will remain in the same format each time. Calming sounds can help the student, plus a limited number of break choices using Time on Task and preferred break activities to keep them motivated. Read Along mode will be very important, set at a slower-than-normal pace to aide in comprehension and understanding.
In this template, the background is set to light mode with one line of visible text. There are larger spaces between words and blurred edges around the Reading Zone. In Follow Along mode, there are frames around the whole word to help the student track. Tap to Listen is selected so the student can use this option for an unknown word.
In this template, predictability is key, with minimum wording, graphics and choices to help this student focus and know what to expect during the work task. The Reading Zone will show three lines of text in dark mode, with Cover Left mode on to cover words as they are read. The student will be given access to Time on Task mode where the timer will show how long they need to be on task, and how long they have for a break. Additionally, having the template in the same place - left-justified, color-coded, and with a dyslexic-friendly font will be important. The font will have increased space betweeen the letters and words. Thje Read Aloud pace may be at a slightly slower speed to help with comprehension, and Text-to-Speech is set slower than the default. Calming sounds in the Audio mode will be important as well to ease anxiety about the assignment. Lots of graphics and games may be distracting for this student.
In this template, a design for students who have dyslexia reduces the Reading Zone to one line of text in light mode. Words 3 syllables and longer have been syllabified. When using the Follow Along or Text-to-Speech, words appear in a frame and multisyllabic words are divided inside this box. The syllable delay is slightly longer to allow time for decoding these longer words. Words have been spaced widely, as well as letters within words. Read Along and Text-to-Speech speed is reduced to allow more time to process what is being read or heard.
In this template, find specific text adaptations to aid in reading independence for students with Cortical Vision Impairments. Within the zone, the font appears very large with one line of text displayed at a time and typically three words or fewer per line. Student are able to follow along with word bubbling as the text is read aloud within the zone. The student’s favorite color should be selected for the border color. The spacing between the letters and the words are increased. The background below and above the zone is shaded black to minimize distractions. Remember to set time on task with the timer and permit white noise to play.
In this template, find specific text adaptations that focus on font size and color contrast for students with Visual Impairments. Within the zone, the font appears very large with one line of text at a time and typically three words or fewer per line. The spacing between the letters and the words are increased. The black font on a white background is paired with a dark shading above and below the zone to create the greatest contrast while reading. A thick yellow line is displayed underneath each word as the Follow Along feature and Read Aloud features are enabled. The Cover Left feature will darken each word after it is read. Students may benefit from the Time on Task tool - a timer to allow breaks and to work toward reading time sustainability.
With our Personalized Reader, students can try each of our unique tools
to create customized support for their reading journey
WHY PARENTS LOVE
“My daughter is dyslexic and we struggle to do any reading. With Power Texts and Word-by-Word Audiobooks, she can follow along with the words visually while hearing it read aloud. Total gamechanger!“
- Jenae, Mom of 1
“The ADHD + Dyslexia template blew my son away. Every feature was perfect, & we loved the fonts for dyslexia. All of a sudden, every book he wanted to read, he was willing to try!“
- Madeline, mom of 5
“The ChildSafe Content Controls give me peace of mind. No other website allows parents to guide what their child sees and reads like LightSail!“
- Ross, dad of 3
WHY KIDS LOVE
“Before LightSail, I hated to read. Now I see that with Time on Task, I can read and have fun breaks for games or breathing. I also like the green boxes to check if I understand what I’m reading.“
- Mateo, 9 years old
“I love space, and, on LightSail, I can read about astronauts, watch videos on space vehicles, write a letter to NASA, and even Livestream astronauts repairing a ship!“
- Maisie, 12 years old
“I love how the words are big and I can hear them read aloud, even bit by bit. It helps me to sound out new words and then hear them!“
- Aya, 6 years old
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* Measured by Lexile® level after completing the Power Challenge and by then reading Power Texts on LightSail's Platform.
LightSail's Unlike Other Reading Programs for Struggling Readers... We help kids READ THEIR WAY with support & personalization in every area of literacy.
