Student Op. 2

This resource gives children more chances to be read to, and interact with quality literature. It is beneficial in that it works well when teachers have limited time to read to individual children, and when particular children need more time listening to quality literature.

My overall opinion about Storyline Online as a teaching tool is that it's a great read aloud tool. It can be used in whole group, small group, or individual settings to support ELL students and low literacy students. I like that each video has a different actor or actress reading books to students. It would be great if there were additional resources to go along with each of the readings like basic comprehension questions for students who struggle with reading fluency.

I use this website as a modern version of a listening center or books on tape. My classroom is full of diverse learners and I am always looking for a way to excite my students about reading. I supplement the website using activities of my own that match the state's curriculum. This gives the students multiple chances to practice the skills that I have have taught during our whole group lessons. As educators, we know that if we want students to be better readers, they have to hear good reading and practice reading. By hearing fluent reading, students will increase their story comprehension and be able to replicate it in their own reading. This website is great for students in this respect. I would recommend some additions to the website to make it stronger. At the bottom of the screen, there is an activity guide available for teachers. This is a PDF document with information about the reader and ideas for the classroom. If there were PDF documents that were directly linked to the stories that aligned to the Common Core curriculum, the website would have more balance. Without supportive resources, the students are almost in a passive state and the website only acts as a substitution to a live read aloud. The website would definitely be better if all of the links work. The developers of the website should go through and update the links on their website. Overall, I like the website for my classroom but wish there was more consistency and curriculum support.