| This paper examines a six-week learning reinforcement used by five elementary children with dyslexia and how it influenced their reading abilities. Addressed is the need for continued classroom learning at home that is aligned with Take Flight A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia, the latest scientifically proven intervention created at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for ChildrenRTM (TSRHC).;Ellah's Tools, a designed and developed systematic visual curriculum of words, definitions, stories, and experiential activities, targets language learning for children with dyslexia. It enhances a portion of the Take Flight fluency program and in addition teaches use of the six basic punctuation marks.;Learning outcomes in three areas were assessed with pre- and post-tests: (a) reading fluency (accuracy + automaticity + reading rate + prosody), (b) prosody (oral reading), and (c) punctuation comprehension. In a seven-day week students interacted with an Ellah's Tools learning module for at least five sessions. Each module was used for one week before advancing to the next.;The activities were designed to reinforce comprehension of each week's story and engaged multiple senses, including touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound.;Test results revealed that each student showed a positive change in at least one area. Sixty percent showed gains in reading fluency. Eighty percent showed an increase in prosody. Sixty percent improved in the punctuation assessment. Parents reported in an online questionnaire that Ellah's Tools was effective when used at home.;Six weeks of using Ellah's Tools improved fluency and language comprehension. Improvement in fluency means that their reading comprehension also improved. Modern technology, animated storytelling, and experiential activities can have a positive impact on out-of-class learning for children with dyslexia. Data from this study have led to the determination that further evaluation and research of the tools are necessary, not only for confirmation but also for refinement. |
