A apparatus and method for educating children is presented. The apparatus and method have an object, such as clothing articles, dishware, bedding articles, etc. The word representing the object is chosen and attached to the object, then an animal is selected and attached to the object. The child then must choose the appropriate word for the chosen picture and attach to the object. Thus, the lesson has been completed.

A apparatus and method for educating children is presented. The apparatus and method have an object, such as clothing articles, dishware, bedding articles, etc. The word representing the object is chosen and attached to the object, then an animal is selected and attached to the object. The child then must choose the appropriate word for the chosen picture and attach to the object. Thus, the lesson has been completed.

Embodiments can provide a computer implemented method in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory comprising instructions which are executed by the processor to cause the processor to implement a reading skill assessment system, the method comprising: processing a body of text; applying one or more text mutators to the body of text to produce a mutated text output; presenting the mutated text output to a reader; prompting the reader to provide one or more answers to one or more questions regarding the mutated text output; processing the one or more answers provided by the reader; processing one or more metrics collected from the reader; calculating a reader skill score for the reader; mapping the calculated reader skill score against one or more baseline reading skill score levels; and suggesting a reading skill level to the reader.

Embodiments can provide a computer implemented method in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory comprising instructions which are executed by the processor to cause the processor to implement a reading skill assessment system, the method comprising creating one or more sets of parameterized text mutators for one or more different reading skill levels; applying a reading skill score function to calculate baseline scores for one or more tested reading skill levels; adjusting the reading skill score function to best match with the one or more tested reading skill levels; optimizing the parameters of the one or more sets of text mutators; creating one or more baseline reading skill score levels for each of the one or more tested reading skill levels; and associating one or more sets of text mutators with the one or more tested reading skill levels.

A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification hoard with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Various embodiments of a pointer for focused reading of a word or character are disclosed. For example, the pointer may include a frame, a reading pane defined inside the frame, a marker formed on the frame for pointing to a particular location of the reading pane, and an elongated handle attached to the frame at a non-zero angle.

The method includes receiving selection of text to be read in a group reading session; identifying a plurality of participants for the group reading session; and upon receiving the selection of the text and the identification of the plurality of participants, automatically, without user intervention, generating a reading plan for the group reading session, wherein the reading plan divides the text into a plurality of reading units and assigns at least one reading unit to each of the plurality of participants in accordance with a comparison between a respective difficulty level of the at least one reading unit and a respective reading ability level of the participant.

The invention relates to devices and methods designed to promote speech and language development and, in particular, learning upper and lower case letters, shapes, colors, numbers and phonemes to improve articulation. Phonemes, which form one of the basic building blocks of speech, are distinguishing speech sounds that differentiate one word from another, e.g. the sounds d and t in the words bid and bit and are the smallest phonetic units that can carry meaning.

The invention relates to devices and methods designed to promote speech and language development and, in particular, learning upper and lower case letters, shapes, colors, numbers and phonemes to improve articulation. Phonemes, which form one of the basic building blocks of speech, are distinguishing speech sounds that differentiate one word from another, e.g. the sounds d and t in the words bid and bit and are the smallest phonetic units that can carry meaning.

A method includes detecting an eye movement of a reader during a reading of presented text; determining, based on whether an eye movement is detected, whether the reader is looking at the presented text; pausing a presentation of the presented text if it is determined that the reader is not looking at the presented text; and resuming, if the presentation of the text is paused, the presentation of the presented text.