Buddy Talk Slides Buddy Talk
Meeting Your Digital Reading Buddy
Mystery Voice!
Can you guess who is talking?
Sometimes we read with our EYES.
Sometimes we read with our EARS!
Teacher: Play a sample of TTS voice here!
What is a Reading Buddy?
It Listens
It turns the words on your screen into sound!
It Helps
If a word is hard to read, your buddy says it for you.
It's Fast
It starts working the moment you click the button.
Hunt for the Icon
Speaker
Aa
Text Tools
Listen Button
Can you find one of these buttons on your screen right now?
The Super Secret Rule
Plug in FIRST!
1
Get your headphones.
2
Plug them into the jack.
3
Put them on your ears.
4
THEN press the button!
Buddy Basics Teacher Guide Buddy Basics
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 1
Grade Level 2nd Grade
Objective
Students will define Text-to-Speech (TTS) as a "reading buddy" and identify the specific icon or shortcut used on their personal device.
Materials
Student Devices
Headphones
Buddy Talk Slides
Digital Buddy Handbook
Teacher Tip
Set your TTS voice to a "silly" or distinctive voice during the hook to grab attention. Show them how to change the speed later as a 'secret power'.
1
The Hook (5 mins)
Mystery Voice Game
Have a sentence ready on your screen. Keep the screen hidden. Play the TTS audio. Ask students: "Who just said that? Was it a person? A ghost? A robot?"
Explain: "That's my Reading Buddy! It lives in the computer and helps me read whenever my eyes get tired."
2
Direct Instruction (10 mins)
Use the Buddy Talk Slides to introduce the concept.
Discuss how TTS "sees" words and "says" sounds.
Show the specific icons for your classroom's devices (e.g., the Immersive Reader "Aa" icon or the Chrome "Read Aloud" speaker).
Model: Plug in headphones before clicking anything to demonstrate the "Super Secret Rule".
3
Scavenger Hunt (15 mins)
Hand out devices and headphones. Ask students to find the "Listen" button on a sample page you've provided.
Key Question to Circulate:
"Where is the speaker button hiding on your screen? Point to it!"
4
Reflection (5 mins)
Ask: "Why would we call this a reading 'buddy' instead of just a 'robot'?" (It helps us, it's a partner, it doesn't do the reading for us, but helps us understand).
Digital Buddy Handbook Worksheet Buddy Handbook
Explorer Name
Mission Date
1
My Buddy's Button
Which button on your computer is the "Listen" button? Circle the one that looks most like yours!
Speaker
Aa
Text Tools
Play
Or draw yours here!
2
The Secret Rule
What do you need to do before you press play? Number these steps 1, 2, and 3!
___
Plug in my headphones.
___
Click the "Listen" button.
___
Put headphones on my ears.
3
My Reading Buddy
If your Reading Buddy was a real character, what would they look like? Draw them!
Control Room Slides Control Room
Driving Your Reading Buddy
Red Light, Green Light!
Let's Play!
Green Light
Press PLAY to start reading.
Red Light
Press PAUSE to stop and think.
Can you stop the voice the instant the teacher says "Red Light"?
The Goldilocks Volume
Too Soft
If you can't hear your buddy, you can't learn!
🐭
Too Loud
If your neighbor can hear your headphones, turn it down!
🦁
Just Right
Clear for you, quiet for the class.
✅
Finding the Slider
Sometimes the volume isn't just a button. It's a SLIDER.
Pro Tip!
Click and drag the circle slowly. Tiny movements make a big difference!
Volume Patrol Teacher Guide Volume Patrol
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 2
Focus Skill Audio Control
The Game
Red Light, Green Light
Students must start audio on "Green" and pause it instantly on "Red". This builds the reflex of knowing exactly where their controls are without looking away for too long.
Success Criteria
Can locate Play/Pause buttons.
Identifies volume slider/keys.
Selects a 'Just Right' volume.
1
Volume Safety (5 mins)
Before giving out headphones:
Discuss why volume matters. Use the "Lion vs. Mouse" analogy.
"If I can hear your headphones from across the room, you are a LION. We want to be quiet like a MOUSE to the rest of the room, but clear like a HUMAN to our own ears."
2
Guided Practice (10 mins)
Have students open a familiar digital text (e.g., a short classroom story or news article).
Task 1: The Volume Sweep
Ask them to slide the volume to 0 (all the way quiet), then slowly bring it up until they can barely hear it. Then bring it to "Just Right".
Task 2: The Stop Challenge
"When I clap my hands, I want you to pause your buddy. When I snap my fingers, I want you to play."
3
Red Light Game (15 mins)
Students stand up with their devices (or sit if safer). As they listen to their text, they must track the words. You shout "RED LIGHT" randomly. They must immediately pause. Check for anyone whose audio is still leaking out.
Check for Understanding
"If you have a question for me, should you leave your buddy talking or press pause?"
Answer: PAUSE! We always stop our buddy when we talk to a person.
Sound Check Activity Sound Check
Explorer
Station
1 Symbol Match
Draw a line to the button's job!
Stop the Sound
Change Volume
Start the Sound
2 The Goldilocks Check
Color in the slider to show where your volume should usually be!
🐭 👤 🦁
Too Soft Just Right Too Loud
Practice Mission
I can find the Play button.
I can find the Pause button.
I can change the volume myself.
Magic Wand Slides Magic Wand
Picking Words for Your Buddy
What is Highlighting?
Your reading buddy is smart, but it doesn't always know WHERE you want it to read.
Highlighting is like pointing your finger at a word and saying, "Say this one!"
The quick brown fox jumps over...
CLICK & DRAG
How to Pick Your Words
1x
The Word Pick
Just one tricky word. Double-click it!
. . .
The Sentence Pick
A whole sentence. Drag from start to stop.
The All Pick
Click the "Read All" button to hear the whole page!
The Selection Challenge
Can you make the computer say ONLY your name?
Apple
YOUR NAME
Banana
Robot
Taco
Try it now on your screen! Find a list of words and pick just one.
Selector Skills Teacher Guide Selector Skills
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 3
Focus Skill Text Selection
Motor Skill Alert
Click-and-drag is often the hardest fine motor task for 2nd graders. Some students may benefit from using double-click to select single words or triple-click for paragraphs if your software supports it.
Teacher Checklist
Prepare text with clear spacing.
Show both mouse and trackpad methods.
Display icon for "Read Selection".
1
The Point & Say (5 mins)
Invite a student to the board. Ask them to point their finger at one specific word. Explain: "When we read with our fingers, we pick one word at a time. Highlighting is how we tell the computer where our 'finger' is pointing."
2
Guided Mouse Magic (15 mins)
Technique A: The Double-Click Tap
Have students double-click a word on a sample page. The word should turn blue (or highlighted). Then, they press the TTS button. It should say ONLY that word.
Technique B: The Big Stretch (Drag)
Model clicking at the start of a sentence, holding down the click, and dragging to the end. "Don't let go until you reach the period!"
3
The Name Game (10 mins)
Open a document with a list of random names. Students must find their own name, highlight it, and make the computer say it aloud to a neighbor.
Circulation Prompt:
"Are you catching just the word you want, or are you catching some extra 'fish' in your net?"
Troubleshooting Highlighting
If they select the whole page: Show them how to click in the white space to "reset".
If they can't click-and-drag: Suggest double-clicking for single-word support as a scaffold.
Word Picker Worksheet Word Picker
Selection Training
Can you pick the right words for your buddy?
Magician Name:
Level 1: The Highlight
Below is a sentence. Use a yellow crayon or marker to "highlight" the word BUDDY .
MY READING ________ IS COOL.
Wait! Write the word BUDDY on the line first!
Level 2: The Click Count
How many clicks do you need on your computer? Circle the right number!
To pick 1 word:
1
2
3
To pick a whole paragraph:
1
2
3
Level 3: Target Practice
When you highlight, do you start at the front or the back of the word? Draw an arrow from where you start to where you stop!
SELECT
Tech Doctor Slides Tech Doctor
Fixing Your Reading Buddy
Is it Broken?
!
Sometimes you press play, but nothing happens.
Don't worry! You are a Tech Doctor. You can fix it!
Wait! Don't call the teacher yet...
The 3-Step Checkup
1. Plug Check
Are your headphones plugged in all the way?
2. Volume Check
Is your volume turned up? Is the mute button on?
3. Click Check
Did you click the right button? Is something highlighted?
Emergency!
Oh no! The teacher's computer is SILENT.
Which Tech Doctor can find the problem first?
Headphones
Muted
Reload
Troubleshooter Teacher Guide Troubleshooter
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 4
Focus Skill Self-Reliance
Teacher Goal
Reduce student dependence on teacher intervention for minor technical hiccups. Shift the mindset from "It's broken" to "I need to investigate."
Simulation Setup
1. Mute your speakers.
2. Pull your headphone jack out 1/4 of an inch.
3. Unselect all text.
1
Tech Doctor Drama (10 mins)
Perform a short "skit" where you try to use your TTS buddy but it doesn't work. Exaggerate your confusion. Ask students: "Who can help me solve this mystery? I am following all the rules but I hear NO SOUND."
Invite students to come up and check your 3-Step Checkup items.
2
Scenario Checkup (10 mins)
Scenario: The Invisible Ink
The computer is on, but you didn't highlight anything. What happens? (Nothing!)
Scenario: The Mute Monster
The volume bar is all the way to the left. What do we do? (Slide it right!)
3
The Checklist Tool (10 mins)
Hand out the Fix It Checklist Tool . Have students walk through the steps on their own device to ensure everything is "Ready for Surgery" (Reading).
The "Ask 3 Before Me" Rule
Reinforce that before asking the teacher for help with sound, students should check their checklist AND ask one neighbor for help.
Fix It Checklist Tool Fix It Kit
Tech Doctor Checklist
Headphones Plugged?
Push them in until they click!
Volume Up?
Check the slider and the mute button.
Words Highlighted?
Make sure the words are blue/grey.
Pressed Play?
Click the triangle icon again.
Fix It Kit
Tech Doctor Checklist
Headphones Plugged?
Push them in until they click!
Volume Up?
Check the slider and the mute button.
Words Highlighted?
Make sure the words are blue/grey.
Pressed Play?
Click the triangle icon again.
How to use this
Cut these cards out and tape them to the edge of student devices or desks. Encourage students to touch each box with their finger as they troubleshoot.
Launch Pad Slides Launch Pad
Your Independent Reading Mission
What We Know
Plug In
Level 👤
Select
Press Play
Are you ready for the final challenge?
Mission:
Read Ready
Can you set up your station and start your buddy in less than 2 minutes?
Beat the clock!
Mastery Mission
Get device & headphones
Plug and check volume
Open the story
START READING!
Mastery Mission Teacher Guide Mastery Mission
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 5
Final Stage Independence
The Goal
Students demonstrate they can independently execute the entire TTS workflow from retrieval to reading without adult prompts.
Mastery Rubric
1. Prep: Headphones plugged & on.
2. Setting: Volume is "Just Right".
3. Selection: Selects correct sentence.
4. Action: Starts audio immediately.
1
Speed Review (5 mins)
Quick-fire questions: "What is the secret headphone rule?", "What do you do if you hear nothing?", "How do you pick just one word?". Get the class energized for the "Mission".
2
The Mastery Race (20 mins)
The Setup:
Students start at their desks with no technology. On your signal ("LIFTOFF!"), they must:
Walk to the device cart and get their tool.
Get their headphones.
Sit down and plug in.
Open the classroom reading assignment.
Start the TTS for the first paragraph.
Use a digital timer on the board. The goal isn't to be first, but to be "Mission Ready" before the 3-minute mark.
3
Graduation Ceremony (5 mins)
As students complete their mission, hand out the Pro Reader Passport . They can color in their badge to celebrate their new independence.
Observational Note
Watch for students who are rushing and forgetting the volume check. Remind them that a Pro Navigator is careful , not just fast.
Pro Reader Passport Checklist Pro Reader
Navigation Badge
!
Official Name of Navigator
My Super Skills
The Power Plug
I can get my tools ready all by myself.
✓
Volume Master
I know how to keep my sound "Just Right".
✓
Target Selector
I can pick exactly which words to hear.
✓
Tech Doctor
I can fix my own audio problems.
✓
Mission Accomplished!
I am now an Independent Navigator. I use my Reading Buddy to help me learn and understand new things every day!
