Reader Rabbit's Reading Development Library Level 2

Welcome to Reader Rabbit's Reading Adventures!

This guide introduces Reader Rabbit's Reading Development Library Level 2, a program designed to bring the wonder of reading to life for children. It focuses on developing reading skills through a comprehensive approach, supplementing curriculum-based instruction with phonics and reading comprehension activities.

The program is part of the Reader Rabbit's Reading System, which aims to build reading skills across various developmental stages. This specific level allows children to apply their reading skills to develop comprehension through interactive adventures.

Educational Focus

The Reading Development Library Stories

The Reading Development Library series presents classic tales designed to engage children and encourage their exploration of literature. These stories are chosen for their inherent appeal and provide opportunities to develop reading skills, including phonics, decoding, and comprehension. Familiarity with story lines aids in predicting events, a key comprehension skill. The rhyme, rhythm, and repetition within the stories enhance their richness and appeal.

Each story is offered from three perspectives: a classic version and two versions told from the viewpoints of the story characters. This multi-perspective approach encourages children to understand others and develop empathy. The series is carefully sequenced, with increasing complexity in concepts, pace, grammar, and vocabulary. It offers a supportive environment for developing language and reading skills, particularly for slower readers or those for whom English is a second language.

Special Features

Children can engage with stories in two modes:

• Read to Me mode: A character reads the story aloud. A pause button [pause-button] is available on each page to allow practice with specific words or sentences.
• Read Together mode: Children explore text and pictures at their own pace. They can hear text read aloud by clicking on characters or individual words. Content-related animations can be discovered by clicking on pictures.

Each story begins with a word list introducing key vocabulary, helping children practice reading words in context and improving comprehension.

To support reading development, text is highlighted as it is read aloud, with the highlight "growing" to match each word, helping children follow along and experience natural language rhythm. Pictures and animations are used extensively to convey meaning, enrich the narrative, and provide additional dialogue.

The Activities

Story-related activities are available in Read Together mode, offering further practice with story concepts and vocabulary:

• Express It: Children help a character (e.g., Sam the Lion) complete letters to storybook characters by choosing words or phrases. Pictures accompany choices to aid comprehension and vocabulary. Sending a letter via the [send-letter-button] results in a tailored response from the character, introducing letter-writing conventions.
• Story Map: This activity focuses on words and events.
  • Story Match: Children match words to corresponding pictures, practicing word recognition and vocabulary.
  • Story Order: Children arrange story events in the correct chronological sequence, testing recall of sequence and content.

Extending the Experience

To maximize the reading experience, parents and educators can encourage activities away from the computer:

• Making Predictions: Ask questions before reading about themes like country vs. city life, visiting others, trading, beanstalks, or gold.
• Making Connections: After reading, ask questions linking stories to the child's life, such as food preferences, travel desires, or reactions to magic beans.
• Creative Writing:
  • Write a new version from a different character's perspective.
  • Combine stories to create new narratives (e.g., mice meeting a giant).
  • Draw a different ending to a story.
• Letter Writing: Write silly or serious letters to friends or family, experimenting with sign-offs (e.g., "ROAR!" from Sam the Lion). Pretend to be characters and write letters to each other.
• Story Mapping: Write a short story and create a story map with words and pictures. Mix up the map to create new stories or have friends unscramble it.
• Character Interaction: List characters and things they might say, then match them. Act out stories with friends, embodying the characters.

Getting Started

To begin using Reader Rabbit's Reading Development Library, follow the setup instructions provided in the CD package.

Signing In

Signing in allows the program to track progress. The Sign-In screen displays existing player names.

• New Players: To add a name, type it using the on-screen alphabet letters or keyboard (up to 16 letters, must be unique). Use the [delete-button] or [delete-key] to correct mistakes. Use the [space-button] or [space-key] for spaces between letters. Click the [select-book-button] to proceed to story selection.
• Listed Players: If you have used the program before, your name will appear on the list. Scroll using the [up-arrow-button] [down-arrow-button] if your name is not immediately visible. Click your name to highlight it or re-type it, then click the [sign-in-continue-button] to resume.
• Removing a Player's Name: Player names can be removed to free up space, especially when the list reaches its maximum of 99 names. Removing a name permanently erases the player's profile and settings. To remove a name, highlight it and press the [R-key] (Windows) or [R-key] (Macintosh).

Using POP (Program Options Pad)

POP, typically located at the bottom or lower right of the screen, provides access to program information and options. Settings made via POP are saved under the player's name and remain active until changed. POP is essential for navigating different program areas and exiting.

POP Basics:

• Click on POP to open it.
• Click on POP's eyes to close it.
• Click on a button within POP to select an option.

For detailed information on specific POP buttons, refer to Appendix A.

Using the Program

Explore two favorite storybooks: "City Mouse, Country Mouse" and "Jack and the Beanstalk." Within each book, users can:

• Listen to and follow along with the story.
• Read independently, with character assistance available.
• Explore scenes and animations to learn more about the story.
• Send letters to storybook characters.
• Play activities based on story words and pictures.

For additional tips, see "Extending the Experience" in the Educational Focus section.

Reading the Stories

Level 2 features "City Mouse, Country Mouse" and "Jack and the Beanstalk," each with three versions: a classic version narrated by Sam the Lion, and two versions told by story characters. Upon opening a book, select the desired version.

After choosing a character's version, select a reading mode:

• Read to Me: Click the [play-story-button] for the character to read the story aloud. Click the [pause-button] to pause. Click the [select-another-book-button] to select another book.
• Read Together: Click the [read-aloud-button] to read independently or aloud. In this mode, clicking the character still reads the text aloud. Individual words can be clicked for pronunciation help. Click the [previous-page-button] to go back, the [next-page-button] to advance. Click on elements in the picture to discover animations. Click the [screen-help-button] for screen help. Click the [go-to-activities-button] to access activities. Click the [page-list-button] to view the page index. Click on POP for program options.

Playing the Story Activities

When reading in Read Together mode, take breaks to play story activities with Reader Rabbit and Sam the Lion. The two main activities are "Express It" and "Story Map." Click an activity's icon at the bottom of a storybook page to begin. Click the [back-to-story-button] to return to the story.

Express It

Help Sam the Lion write letters to storybook characters. Sam starts the letters, and users choose words or phrases to complete sentences. Pictures accompany each choice to aid comprehension and vocabulary. Experiment with different choices before finalizing. Click the [confirm-button] to confirm. After completion, mail the letter via the [send-letter-button] to receive a response from the character.

Story Map

Assist Reader Rabbit in reconstructing his story map. Two options are available: Story Match and Story Order.

• Story Match: Match words to corresponding pictures. Click a picture, then click the word that matches it.
• Story Order: Arrange story pictures in chronological sequence. Click the picture representing the first event, then click the [first-event-position] on the road. Repeat for subsequent events and positions [second-event-position]. The map is complete when all pictures are correctly placed and colored.

Appendixes

Appendix A: The POP Buttons

POP buttons provide access to various program functions:

• Page/Sentence: (Read Together mode only) Choose to have the character read the entire page or one sentence at a time upon clicking the character.
• Education: Access general information about the program's educational content, child learning, and the Reader Rabbit's Reading Series.
• Highlight: Toggle the text highlighting feature on and off.
• Voice Choice: Select which of the three story versions to read.
• Book Choice: Select which of the two stories to read.
• Sign-In: Navigate to the Sign-In screen.
• Word List: Toggle the display of the story's key words before the story begins. An on/off indicator is shown.
• Exit: Leave the program.

Appendix B: Word List

This appendix contains an extensive list of words used in the stories "City Mouse, Country Mouse" and "Jack and the Beanstalk." The words are presented alphabetically to aid in vocabulary development and reading practice. Due to the extensive nature of this list, it is not reproduced in full here but serves as a comprehensive reference within the program.

Customer Service

The Learning Company offers customer support for questions, problems, or suggestions. Contact the Customer Service Department at 1-800-852-2255 or 1-510-792-2101.

Warranty: The Learning Company warrants the program disk and software to perform according to the user's guide for 90 days from the purchase date. Defective disks will be replaced. This warranty is limited to disk replacement and excludes incidental or consequential damages. Specific legal rights may vary by state.

Damaged Disk Replacement: Damaged disks can be replaced for a $10 fee (check required). Return the damaged disk and payment to:

The Learning Company
6493 Kaiser Drive
Fremont, CA 94555
Attention: Disk Return Department

Index and Credits

An index is provided to help users quickly locate information within the guide. The guide also includes a comprehensive list of credits for the design, development, and production teams, acknowledging the many individuals and companies involved in creating the software.

About The Learning Company

Since 1980, The Learning Company has produced high-quality educational software designed to develop children's thinking skills, creativity, and reinforce core curriculum areas like reading, writing, and mathematics. Their products undergo extensive research and testing, balancing educational content with entertainment. The Learning System™ is a product-selection guide sequenced by age groups, ensuring parents and educators can choose appropriate products for children's developmental stages.