Using the iTalk app for fluency practice
Whenever I hear my recorded voice, such as in an iMovie I’ve
made, I cringe a little and wonder is that really what I sound like? However,
with students I’ve found it is quite the opposite. They enjoy hearing recordings
of themselves. I can see and hear their enjoyment when they practice fluency
using the iPad and an app called iTalk. This is a take-it-to-your-seat literacy
activity in my classroom. Here is how it works:
Students choose a text that they are familiar with. The text
is usually a leveled book that is on their independent reading level which they
have been reading during the week. However, students can choose a book that I
have read aloud in class or something they have read with me in a guided-reading
group. Students find a quiet place in the classroom for this activity. It can
be at their desk or in a quiet spot on the floor somewhere. They open the app
called iTalk on their iPad and choose a page from their book. They use the app
to record themselves reading a page. They save and name this recording “#1”.
Next, they listen to themselves read (using ear buds) and follow along in the
text. This is usually a very eye-opening experience for the students. They do
enjoy hearing their voices reading the text. However, I can also see that they recognize
some of the errors they made as they read. Next, the students record themselves
reading that same page again. This time the reading becomes more deliberate.
They are consciously working on reading aloud better than they did the first
time. This recording is named “#2”. When finished, they listen to the second
recording and following along in the text. I can see the satisfaction on the
students’ faces as they listen, recognizing the improvements. Students have the
option of doing a third recording if they want to.
This activity gives the students choices in what they read/record
and how many times they record themselves reading. Because my classroom is 1:1,
students can work at their own pace and not worry about someone else waiting
for the recording device. The app iTalk holds all of the recordings so students
are able to go back and listen to previous recordings. They can even monitor
their own fluency progress throughout the school year. This is one of the
favorite literacy activities in my classroom. It is a great way to help
students improve their reading fluency.
