Jamie Reads!

July 2007

When Jamie first got his laptop computer, neither of us was sure how to use it. Luckily for us, our speech and language assistant came regularly to our class to install exciting new stories, poems and activities for his Clicker 5 program. All we had to do was click on the smiley face and away we could go. I told her that if I could learn to do the activities, then so could Jamie. Jamie, of course did much better than me but he was patient with me as he showed me how to make my sentences.

When Jamie started to use his Clicker 5 program, he struggled to read and comprehend at the grade one level. Jamie is 16 years old and many people would not expect further reading progress at his age. Now, several months later, he is at 94% reading accuracy, demonstrating level one competency. He reads every spare minute. He rushes to his computer whenever he has a choice of activities, and can't wait to see the latest installments that the Speech and Language assistant makes. He reads aloud in the gravelly, deep voice of a man which belies his actual diminutive size. If Jamie is in my office, he picks up my textbooks and begins to read aloud from them. He reads newspapers, signs, labels, and books of any size. Jamie totes his laptop to his keyboarding class and works earnestly on his stories with the help of the very capable education assistant, who has worked intensively with Jamie and the TAP process.

The TAP program, combined with the Speech and Language Assistant’s creative updates, helped match Jamie's ability to read with his desire. Jamie's reading ability has outstripped what some would consider his potential. His speech has increased to using 2-3 word phrases regularly, rather than answering "yup" to any question. His social confidence has increased and he is willing to risk more communication with his peer tutors.

I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who made this happen.

Jackie - Resource Room Teacher