TTS Controls Worksheet Ear Reading Academy
Lesson 1: Power of the Play Button
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
The Big Three Controls
Draw a line to match the symbol to what it does!
STOP the reading completely.
START the computer reading.
PAUSE to take a break.
The Mystery Voice Checklist
Listen to the voices your teacher plays. Check the box if it sounds like a real person or a computer robot!
Voice # Is it a Human? Is it a Robot? Voice 1
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| Voice 3 |
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My Ear Reading Goal
How do you think a "talking computer" can help you with books?
TTS Tools Slides Ear Reading Academy
Welcome, Cadets! Let's build your reading superpowers.
Lesson 1 Level: Beginner
Game: Mystery Voice
Human Voice
Sounds warm, has feelings, and breathes!
Robot Voice
Consistent, fast, and never gets tired.
"Can you tell who is talking?"
What is Text-to-Speech?
Text: The words on your screen.
to Speech: The computer says them out loud!
It's like having a reading assistant right inside your computer. We call it Ear Reading!
The Master Controls
PLAY
Start Reading
PAUSE
Take a Break
STOP
Finish Reading
Time for Your First Mission!
Find a sentence on your screen.
Locate the PLAY button.
Click it and listen carefully.
Practice using PAUSE in the middle!
Raise your hand if you need help finding the buttons!
Lesson 1 Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Power of the Play Button
Beginner Skill Building
Objective
Students will identify play/pause/stop icons and understand the purpose of TTS for reading support.
Duration
45 Minutes (15 direct instruction, 20 practice, 10 debrief).
Prep
Prepare 3 audio clips: a human reading, a high-quality AI voice, and a "robotic" legacy voice.
1. The Hook: Mystery Voice (10 mins)
Explain that "Ear Reading" involves a computer assistant. Play the three prepared audio clips.
Voice 1: Human (Ask: "What do you notice? Does it sound like a person?")
Voice 2: Modern AI (Ask: "Is this a person or a computer?")
Voice 3: Old Robot (Ask: "How is this different from the first two?")
Note: Emphasize that modern TTS is very close to human speech, making it easier to listen to for long periods.
2. Instruction & Practice (20 mins)
Key Teaching Points:
Universal Symbols
Explain that the triangle means "Go", the bars mean "Wait", and the square means "End". These icons work on YouTube, music apps, and TTS.
Locating Tools
Show students where their specific TTS tool (e.g., Read&Write, Immersive Reader, Speak Selection) lives on their device taskbar or menu.
Student Task:
Have students open a short digital paragraph. Challenge them to: 1. Start reading. 2. Pause when they hear a color word. 3. Stop at the end of the first sentence.
3. Troubleshooting & Debrief (10 mins)
Common Hurdles:
Tool not appearing (refresh page).
Voice is too fast (will be covered in Lesson 3, but provide a quick fix).
Tool reads navigation menus instead of the story.
Debrief Question:
"If you forget what a word says, which button would you use to listen again? Why?"
Ear Reading Academy • Lesson 1 Teacher Guide • Assistive Technology Series
Word Tracking Slides Syncing Eyes and Ears
To be a master Ear Reader, your eyes must follow the words while your ears listen to them!
The Magic Highlight
The computer will highlight the word it is reading.
Use your finger or mouse to track!
The Magic Word Game
Listen to the story. Every time you hear the "Magic Word," tap your desk!
FOREST
"This helps our brain connect what we hear to what we see."
Why Sync Eyes & Ears?
1. Understanding
Seeing the word while hearing it helps you know what it means!
2. Spelling
You learn how long words and tricky words look.
Mission: The Word Tracker
Pick up your physical "Tracking Tool" (a pencil or finger).
Press Play.
Keep your "Tracking Tool" on the yellow highlight.
Stay with the robot! Don't fall behind!
Word Tracker Worksheet Ear Reading Academy
Lesson 2: The Word Tracker Challenge
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
TRACKING TEXT
Deep in the forest, a small squirrel looked for acorns. It was a very green forest. The trees in the forest were tall and strong. Every animal loved living in this quiet, peaceful forest.
The Drumming Challenge
Listen to the computer read the story above. Every time you hear the magic word FOREST, put a check in a drum below!
1st Time
2nd Time
3rd Time
4th Time
Brain Check
Was the computer...
Too Fast?
Too Slow?
Just Right?
My eyes were...
On the words
Looking around
Closed!
Lesson 2 Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 2: The Word Tracker Challenge
Eye-Ear Syncing
Goal
Build the habit of "visual tracking" where students keep their eyes on the text while the audio plays.
The Hazard
Students often treat TTS as "passive listening" (eyes wander). This lesson creates an "active" task.
1. Magic Word Intro (5 mins)
Define "Visual Tracking". Use the analogy of a follow-the-bouncing-ball video. The computer's highlight is our ball.
Prompt: "If your ears are reading but your eyes are playing, you're only doing half the work!"
2. The Drumming Activity (25 mins)
Setup: Ensure students have their headphones on and the lesson text open digitally.
Modeling: Project the text. Click PLAY. Point to each word with a physical pointer or the mouse as it highlights.
The Magic Word: Challenge them to find the word FOREST. They must tap their desk (or drum) only when the highlight hits that word.
3. Troubleshooting: Pacing
If students can't keep up, adjust the TTS speed setting (usually a gear icon or rabbit/turtle icon).
"My eyes are faster than the voice!" → Increase speed slightly.
"I lose my place!" → Decrease speed slightly and use a finger to track.
Ear Reading Academy • Lesson 2 Teacher Guide
Secret Agent Sound Slides Secret Agent Sound
Mission: Master your gear and keep it quiet.
The Loud Listener
Disturbs others, hurts ears, and lets everyone know what you are reading!
The Secret Agent
Wears headphones, keeps volume at "Level 2", and works in total stealth.
Gear Check: No Sound?
Check the Plug
Is it pushed all the way in? Wiggle it gently.
Mute Button?
Did you accidentally hit the "Silent" key on the keyboard?
App Volume
Check the volume inside the reading app itself.
The Volume "Sweet Spot"
Too Quiet PERFECT TOO LOUD!
"If your neighbor can hear your robot, it's too loud!"
Headphone Manners Mission
Plug in your headphones GENTLY.
Put them on.
Set volume to 30% or "Level 2".
Check with a partner: "Can you hear my computer?"
Secret Agent Worksheet Mission Log
Lesson 3: Secret Agent Sound Control
Agent Name: __________________________
The Perfect Volume
Look at the volume meters below. Circle the one that is PERFECT for the classroom. Put an X through the ones that are dangerous!
Very Low
Medium
Max Blast!
Tech Detective: No Sound?
Check these 4 things before you ask for help:
1. Plug Check Is the headphone cord pushed all the way into the hole?
2. Device Mute Is there a red line through the speaker icon on your taskbar?
3. App Volume Is the volume slider inside your reading app turned up?
4. Headphone Dial Does your headphone cord have its own volume wheel?
Secret Agent Promise
"I promise to keep my volume low so I don't disturb my fellow agents."
Sign Here
Lesson 3 Teacher Guide EAR READING ACADEMY
TEACHER GUIDE LESSON 3
Secret Agent Sound Control
The Hook: Social Roleplay
Before starting the computers, act out two scenarios for the class:
The Loud Listener
Play audio loudly from your phone/laptop without headphones. Walk around trying to "read" while students are trying to focus. Ask: "How did that make you feel?"
The Secret Agent
Put on headphones. Sit quietly. Smile at a student. Ask: "Do you have any idea what I am doing? (I'm reading an exciting story!)"
Instructional Focus: Volume Levels
Students at this age struggle with "hearing health" awareness. Teach them the 2-Foot Rule:
"If someone sitting 2 feet away from you can hear the robot voice coming out of your headphones, it is too loud for your ears and too loud for the room."
Troubleshooting Guide
Problem Fix Static or Crackling Wipe the headphone jack with a dry cloth; ensure it's fully seated. Sound on one side Check if balance is centered in system settings; try a different pair. Tool is "Muted" Explain the difference between *System Mute* and *App Mute*.
Debrief Question:
"Why do Secret Agents keep their reading a secret? How does it help our classroom community?"
Click and Jump Slides Click and Jump
Master the art of reading from anywhere in the text!
Why not start from the beginning?
Re-reading
Did you miss a word? Just click that sentence to hear it again. Don't start the whole page over!
Finding Facts
Looking for an answer? Click the paragraph that looks right and listen for the clue.
The Secret Move
To start reading from a specific word, hover your mouse over it and CLICK ONCE.
TIP:
Wait for the highlight to appear before you let go!
The Treasure Hunt
1 Your teacher will give you a list of Hidden Facts .
2 Open your digital book.
3 Click on the middle of paragraphs to find the answers fast!
4 Don't listen to the whole page! Be a "Jump-Reader".
READY, SET, CLICK!
Wait for your teacher to say the first Clue...
Treasure Hunt Worksheet Treasure Hunt Log
Lesson 4: Jump-Reading Navigation
Hunter Name: __________________________
READING TEXT
Space Explorer's Journal
1. I landed my rocket on Planet Blue at 6:00 AM. 2. The grass here is actually bright purple and soft like feathers. 3. For breakfast, I ate a moon-berry which tastes exactly like pizza. 4. My robot, Sparky, found a golden rock hidden behind a volcano. 5. It is very cold here, so I had to wear my electric heating boots.
The Clue List
Jump-read the journal above by clicking on the sentences to find these hidden treasures!
1
What time did the rocket land?
2
What does a moon-berry taste like?
3
What did Sparky find behind the volcano?
Navigation Checklist
I clicked on sentence #3 first.
I didn't start from sentence #1.
I used PAUSE to write the answer.
I found all 3 treasures!
Lesson 4 Teacher Guide EAR READING ACADEMY
TEACHER GUIDE Lesson 4
Click and Jump Navigation
Instructional Goal
Students often think TTS is like a movie—you hit play and wait for the end. This lesson teaches them that TTS is interactive. Navigating allows for efficient scanning and targeted re-reading.
The "Jump-Read" Technique
1
Visual Scan
"Look for keywords or numbers related to your question."
2
Precision Click
"Click exactly where you want to start. Don't click the title every time."
3
Listen & Evaluate
"If the computer starts reading about 'Lunch' but you need 'Breakfast', click jump to the next paragraph."
Activity Logistics
The Treasure Hunt Activity:
Ensure students are in a "Digital Book" or "Article" view (Immersive Reader/Read&Write works best).
Model "skipping" by clicking sentence #1, then immediately clicking sentence #5.
Encourage students to use the PAUSE button immediately once they hear an answer so they can write it down without the audio continuing.
Key Phrase to Teach:
"I am the boss of the robot. I tell it where to start!"
Reader Flight Log and License Ear Reading Academy
Lesson 5: Graduation Challenge
Candidate: __________________________
Final Flight Checklist
Skill Mission Status Power Up
Open your digital book and launch your reading tool.
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Stealth Mode
Plug in headphones and set volume to Level 2.
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Visual Tracker
Read 3 pages while following the yellow highlight.
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The Do-Over
Click a tricky sentence and listen to it twice.
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Flight Journal
Book Title:
What was your favorite part of this book?
Digital Reader License
This cadet has officially mastered the art of Ear Reading.
Cadet Signature
PASSED
Academy Director
Independence Flight Slides Graduation Day
Ready to take your final flight as an Independent Reader?
Everything You've Learned
Launch & Play
Visual Tracking
Volume Control
Click-to-Jump
BECOMING INDEPENDENT
When you use your Ear Reading Tools, you don't need to wait for a teacher to read with you.
"You can read any book, anywhere, at any time."
The Final Flight
Choose a book from the digital library.
Read the ENTIRE BOOK using TTS.
Follow every word with your eyes.
Complete your Flight Log to get your license!
GO FOR LAUNCH!
Select Book
Start Reading
Lesson 5 Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 5: The Independent Reader Flight
Capstone Mastery
Mastery Goal
Students independently execute the full TTS workflow: selecting text, adjusting audio settings, tracking visually, and navigating back for comprehension.
Differentiation
Provide tiered reading levels (Lexile-matched) to ensure the focus remains on the *process* of ear-reading rather than decoding difficulty.
Mastery Checklist
Skill Area What Success Looks Like Score (1-3) Setup Opens tool and plugs in headphones without prompting. Volume Control Sets volume so it is audible but not heard by neighbors.
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| Visual Tracking | Eyes remain on the text; physical tracking matches the highlight. |
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| Self-Correction | Clicks back to re-read a sentence if they lose focus. |
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Celebration Tips
The License Ceremony: Print the licenses on cardstock. Use a physical "official" stamp or gold sticker to make it feel formal.Self-Reflection: Ask students: "How does your brain feel when you ear-read compared to when you read silently?"Future Use: Discuss where else they can use this (websites, homework, recipes, etc.).
Ear Reading Academy • Lesson 5 Guide Assistive Technology Mastery Sequence
