Reading Radar Slides READING RADAR
Mastering Text-to-Speech for Informational Texts
Scanning...
The Big Question
Science books and articles have words everywhere.
"Where should we start listening so the information makes sense?"
Informational Text Features
Headings
The "map labels" that tell you what the next section is about.
Captions
The secret messages explaining what's happening in a photo.
Sidebars
Extra facts living in boxes on the side of the page.
Bold Words
VIP words that are important for the topic.
Your TTS Strategy
1
The Main Path
Listen to the Title and Headings first to understand the big picture.
2
The Deep Dive
Listen to the body text section by section.
3
The Bonus Facts
Listen to Sidebars and Captions last to add extra detail.
Radar Online!
Time to use your Reading Radar. Let's practice highlighting and listening in the right order.
Highlight
Listen
Repeat
Reading Radar Worksheet Reading Radar Hunt
Skill: Navigating Non-Fiction with Text-to-Speech
Name:
Date:
Use your Text-to-Speech (TTS) tool to explore the science article below. Follow the Radar Order: (1) Headings, (2) Main Story, (3) Sidebars & Captions.
The Giant Squid: Deep Sea Mystery
Giant Hunters
The giant squid is one of the most mysterious creatures in the ocean. It lives in the deep, dark water where very little light can reach. For many years, people thought giant squids were just legends told by sailors. Now, scientists know they are very real. These massive animals can grow up to 43 feet long!
Ocean Eyes
To see in the dark depths of the ocean, the giant squid has enormous eyes. Each eye is about the size of a dinner plate! This helps them spot the tiny bits of light reflecting off their prey or predators.
Fast Facts
• Scientific Name: Architeuthis dux
• Habitat: Deep oceans worldwide
• Diet: Fish and other squid
This artist's drawing shows a giant squid fighting a sperm whale.
Mission Report
1. What was the first thing you listened to with your TTS tool?
2. List one "Fast Fact" you learned from the sidebar:
3. Look at the caption under the picture. What are the two animals doing in the drawing?
Mission Checkpoint: Did you listen in the correct order?
YES
NOT YET
Reading Radar Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Feature Focus Guide
Lesson 1: Reading Radar
Grade 4 • Assistive Tech
Duration
45-60 Minutes
Goal
TTS Navigation Order
Tech Prep
Check Browser Extensions
1. The Hook (10 Mins)
Open a science textbook or a complex webpage (like National Geographic Kids). Ask students: "If I just hit 'Play' at the top, will I understand the most important part first?"
Teacher Script: "Think of this page like a map. If we just start walking without looking at the labels, we'll get lost. We need our 'Reading Radar' to find the headings first."
2. Direct Instruction (15 Mins)
Use the Reading Radar Slides to define: Headings, Sidebars, and Captions.
Model the "Radar Order" : Highlight and play the Heading, then the Paragraph, then the Sidebar.
Demonstrate how to pause the TTS if it starts reading things in a weird order (like reading the sidebar in the middle of a sentence).
3. Guided Practice (20 Mins)
Distribute the Reading Radar Worksheet . Students should use their actual TTS tool (Read&Write, Immersive Reader, etc.) to listen to the "Giant Squid" article.
Check for Understanding
Are students highlighting specific sections or just clicking "Play" at the very top?
Scaffolding
For students struggling with mouse control, help them triple-click to select a whole paragraph.
Common Misconceptions
"TTS reads everything automatically."
Correction: Many TTS tools read from top-to-bottom, left-to-right. In non-fiction, this means it might jump from a paragraph to a sidebar and back, which is confusing. Students must learn to select specific chunks of text.
Clutter Cleaner Slides CLUTTER CLEANER
Magic Tricks for Better Listening
Cleaning in Progress...
The Web is Messy
Websites are full of things that don't belong to the story.
Pop-up Ads
Flashing Buttons
Videos that Play Automatically
Junk Alert!
The Magic Trick
READER VIEW
One button that strips away the ads and leaves just the words.
Clean Text
Change Colors
Bigger Font
How to Find It
In Google Chrome:
Look for the Side Panel or Reading Mode icon in the top right.
In Safari / Edge:
Look for the Aa or the Page Icon in the address bar.
✨
Once it's clean,
Ready to Clean?
We are going to visit a "messy" webpage. Your mission is to find the Reader View button before you listen.
"If you see an ad, the cleaner's not on yet!"
Clutter Cleaner Worksheet Digital Detective
Skill: Using Reader View for Distraction-Free Listening
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Messy Page
Imagine the page below is a website about Mars. Circle the things that do NOT belong to the main story.
www.space-facts-and-junk.com/mars-mission
BUY CHEESE NOW!
PLAY SUPER RUNNER
Journey to the Red Planet
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System. It is often called the "Red Planet" because of the iron oxide (rust) on its surface.
ADVERTISEMENT: Do you like socks? We have socks!
Scientists are studying Mars to see if it ever had water or life. Many robots, called rovers, are currently exploring the planet's surface.
Part 2: The Magic Button
1. What happened to the cheese ad when you used "Reader View" in your mind?
2. Why is it easier to listen to the story when the ads are gone?
Detective Pro Tip
"If the TTS tool reads an ad out loud, it's like someone talking while you're trying to watch a movie. Clean the screen first! "
Case Closed?
Did you find the Reader View button on your browser?
Yes!
Not Yet
Clutter Cleaner Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Web Wisdom Guide
Lesson 2: Clutter Cleaner
Grade 4 • Assistive Tech
Duration
45 Minutes
Goal
Remove Web Distractions
Tech Prep
Locate "Reader View" button
1. The Hook: "Junk Mail" (5 Mins)
Hold up a piece of junk mail or show a webpage with multiple blinking ads. Ask: "If I read every single thing on this page, would I ever find out what the story is about?" Explain that websites are designed to distract us.
2. Direct Instruction (15 Mins)
Use the Clutter Cleaner Slides to show "Before and After" views of a webpage.
Model the Button: Every browser is different. Physically walk around or project where the "Reader View" or "Reading Mode" button is on the specific devices students use.
Show how Reader View doesn't just clean the page—it often allows you to make text bigger or change the background color (e.g., dark mode for eye strain).
3. Simulation & Activity (20 Mins)
Distribute the Digital Detective Worksheet . This is a pencil-and-paper bridge to the digital skill. Students identify the "clutter" to build awareness.
Digital Mission:
Once finished with the worksheet, give students 10 minutes to find a "messy" webpage (like a kid-friendly news site) and practice turning on Reader View. Then, have them use their TTS tool to listen to the cleaned text.
Tech Troubleshooting
No button found?
Some pages (like homepages with just links) won't trigger Reader View. It usually only works on articles or pages with a lot of text content.
Images disappear?
Sometimes Reader View removes important images. If students need the image, they'll have to switch back and forth or use the "Radar" method from Lesson 1.
Math Story Hunter Slides MATH STORY HUNTER
Decoding Word Problems with Your Ears
Searching for Numbers...
The Problem Wall
Sometimes there are too many words around the math.
"On Tuesday, Sarah went to the store to buy 4 apples, but then she realized she needed 3 more for her grandmother's pie, so she also bought 2 bags of flour..."
Wait! What do I actually do?!
The 3-Listen Strategy
1
The Story
Listen to the whole problem just to hear the story. No math yet!
2
The Clues
Listen again. Stop and highlight the numbers and key words.
3
The Question
Listen to just the last sentence. What is it asking for?
Marking Your Clues
When the TTS reads these words, STRIKE! (Highlight them)
Total / All
Left / Fewer
Each / Times
Share / Each
"Tim has 12 cards. He gives 5 to Jen. How many are left?"
HUNTED!
Start the Hunt
Open your Math Story Worksheet. Use your ears to find the numbers and the question.
Listen
Pause
Solve
Math Story Hunter Worksheet Problem Hunter
Skill: Using TTS to Decode Math Word Problems
Name:
Date:
Hunter Strategy: The 3 Listens
1. STORY
What is happening?
2. CLUES
Find numbers/math words.
3. QUESTION
What is the goal?
1
The Apple Cart
A farmer has 24 red apples and 18 green apples in a cart. If the farmer sells 15 apples at the morning market, how many apples does the farmer have left in the cart?
The Numbers (Clues)
The Key Word (Action)
Show Your Work
2
The Robot Race
In a robot race, there are 4 teams. Each team has 6 tiny robots. During the first lap, 3 robots get stuck in the mud and have to stop. How many robots are still in the race?
The Goal (Question)
Total Robots at Start
Show Your Work
Hunt Check!
Listened 3 Times
Highlighted Clues
Math Story Hunter Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Math Audio Guide
Lesson 3: Math Story Hunter
Grade 4 • Assistive Tech
Duration
45-50 Minutes
Goal
Decode Word Problems
Focus
The "3-Listen" Strategy
1. The Problem Wall (10 Mins)
Show a word problem with extraneous information. Ask students: "Does our brain feel full when we see all these words?" Explain that reading the words and doing the math at the same time is hard.
Tip: Intentionally read the problem very fast to show how confusing it can be, then suggest using TTS to "slow it down" and hear it multiple times.
2. Direct Instruction: The 3 Listens (15 Mins)
Use the Math Story Hunter Slides to introduce the core strategy:
L1:
The Story
Listen to the whole thing. Just visualize what is happening. No math!
L2:
The Clues
Listen again. Pause the TTS when you hear a number or a math action word (total, left, etc.).
L3:
The Question
Listen just to the final sentence. What is the goal of the problem?
3. Guided Practice (20 Mins)
Students complete the Problem Hunter Worksheet .
What to Observe
"Are students stopping the recording? If they let the whole problem play without pausing, they aren't 'hunting' for clues."
Math Support
For multi-step problems, encourage them to listen to one sentence at a time and write the numbers down as they go.
Differentiation
More Support
Highlight the numbers for the student first, so they only have to listen for the "action" words.
Extension
Have students write their own word problem and record themselves reading it for a partner to solve.
Discovery Quest Slides DISCOVERY QUEST
Unlock Any Topic with Text-to-Speech
Beginning Expedition...
The Master Key
Sometimes, the best information is in books or articles that have difficult words.
"Your Text-to-Speech tool is the master key that unlocks those words so you can learn anything!"
Access Granted
Quest Mission
1. Pick
Choose a topic you want to be an expert in.
2. Find
Find an article online (it's okay if it's hard to read!).
3. Listen
Use TTS and Reader View to find 3 cool facts.
The Explorer's Kit
Clutter Cleaner
Use Reader View to clear the path.
Reading Radar
Listen to the headings to find where the facts are hiding.
Fact Catcher
Pause when you hear a fact! Write it down before you forget.
Launch Your Quest
Choose your topic, grab your headphones, and become a Discovery Expert.
Adventure Awaits...
Quest Fact Logger Worksheet Quest Fact Logger
Project: Using TTS for Independent Research
Expert Name:
Date:
My Research Topic
Example: Deep Sea Sharks, Ancient Egypt, Robot Inventions...
Headphones On
Reader View ON
TTS Tool Ready
Captured Facts
1
Discovery One
2
Discovery Two
3
Discovery Three
Mission Reflection
How did using your ears help you learn about this topic today?
Discovery Quest Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Research Lab Guide
Lesson 4: Discovery Quest
Grade 4 • Assistive Tech
Duration
60 Minutes
Goal
Independent Research
Focus
Information Gathering
1. The Hook (10 Mins)
Ask: "What is a topic you love, but you're worried the books about it are too hard?" (e.g., astrophysics, ancient history). Explain that TTS is like a VIP pass to information usually reserved for older students.
2. Direct Instruction (10 Mins)
Use Discovery Quest Slides to introduce the 3-step mission: Pick, Find, Listen.
The Search Strategy: Teach students how to search for their topic + "facts" or "for kids" (e.g., "Black Hole facts").
3. Independent Lab (30 Mins)
Students choose a topic and use the Quest Fact Logger Worksheet to record 3 facts.
Teacher Facilitation:
"Circulate and ensure students are applying their previous skills: (1) Reader View to clean the page and (2) Reading Radar to listen to headings first."
Scaffolding for High-Level Text
If a student finds an article that is significantly above level, help them adjust the TTS speed to a slower setting (0.75x or 0.8x) to help with processing new, complex vocabulary.
4. Sharing Expert Knowledge (10 Mins)
Have students turn to a partner and share their favorite fact they "heard" today. Emphasize that listening is learning.
Fact Spy Academy Slides Incoming Transmission...
FACT SPY ACADEMY
Top Secret Note-Taking
Spy Level: MASTER
The "Fast Fact" Problem
Information can move too fast for a spy to catch it all.
"If the Text-to-Speech keeps playing while you are writing, you might miss the next secret fact!"
THE SOLUTION: THE PAUSE POWER
The "P.T.W." Protocol
P
Pause
Hit pause as soon as you hear something important.
T
Think
Wait! Keep that fact in your brain for 5 seconds.
W
Write
Write down just the keywords, not everything!
Spy Coding (Keywords)
Original Fact:
"The honeybee is the only insect that produces food that humans eat."
Spy Code (Notes):
Honeybees = only insect food for humans
Less is More!
"Don't write a book. Just write the secret fact!"
Ready for Academy?
Grab your Spy Notebook. Listen carefully. Pause. Capture.
Audio Feed Loading...
Secret Agent Notebook Worksheet Classified Information
Spy Academy Notebook
Protocol: Pause • Think • Write
AGENT:
DATE:
The PTW Protocol
1 PAUSE when you hear a fact.
2 THINK: What was that about?
3 WRITE only keywords.
Current Audio Mission
Topic: The Power of Wind Energy
*Teacher Note: Use a short 2-3 minute informational article on wind energy for this practice session.
Intelligence Report
1
Key Fact One
2
Key Fact Two
3
Key Fact Three
Mission Summary
In your own words, what is the most important thing you learned about wind energy today?
Academy Training Complete
Fact Spy Academy Teacher Guide Academy Instructor Resource
Spy Training Guide
Lesson 5: Fact Spy Academy
Grade 4 • Assistive Tech
Duration
45-50 Minutes
Goal
Listen & Note-Take
Protocol
Pause • Think • Write
1. The Hook: "Mission Impossible" (5 Mins)
Read a complex paragraph about honeybees at a very fast pace. Ask students to write down every word you say. They will fail. Explain that even spies can't write as fast as someone talks. We need a better protocol.
2. Direct Instruction: PTW Protocol (15 Mins)
Use the Fact Spy Academy Slides to introduce the protocol:
PAUSE: As soon as you hear a "fact" (a number, a names, or a big idea), hit the spacebar or pause button immediately.
THINK: Replay the fact in your head. Can you say it in just 3-4 words?
WRITE: Write those 3-4 keywords down. Then, hit play again.
3. Guided Practice (20 Mins)
Distribute the Secret Agent Notebook Worksheet . Play an article (e.g., about wind energy or honeybees) and model the first note together.
Teacher Modeling Script
"I'm listening... [Pause]. Oh! I just heard that wind turbines don't make pollution. Let me think. Keywords: Wind turbines = no pollution. [Write]. Okay, hit play."
Monitoring Note
Watch for students who try to write whole sentences. Remind them: "Spies use code! Use just the most important words."
Lesson Reflection
This is the capstone lesson of the sequence. By now, students should be fluidly using:
Reader View to remove distractions
Reading Radar to find the right section
Pause-Think-Write to capture information
