Read&Write Chromebook Extension for Students with Characteristics of Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

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 Read&Write for Students with Characteristics of Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

Why Read&Write?

1. Fosters independence

  • And isn't that the goal? My #1 job as a special educator is to be sure that kids have tools to be successful without me - either in their gen ed classes or in the future as adults.
  • It's important kids learn to use tools that they can use to support reading and writing tasks.
2. Gives kids access to text
  • Across students' school days, if they can't access text (either in small group or in a general education setting), it is very difficult for them to be successful.
  • In the gen ed setting, teachers often don't have time to read text aloud to them.
  • Read&Write allows students to independently access texts: pdfs, Google Docs/Slides, webpages, etc.

3. Builds confidence with reading and writing tasks

  • I've found that where students otherwise would attempt to fade into the background, Read&Write allows them access.
  • Specifically with writing, kids have such great ideas! Tools like speech to text and word prediction allow them the opportunity to share their ideas without the hurdle of writing/typing in addition to idea generation.

Features of Read&Write

This (2025) is my first year using Read&Write. Last year, students had to toggle between Snap&Read and Co-Writer. The feedback I've gotten from them is that it's so much easier to turn on one app and have one toolbar on their screen!

The most-used tools for my 3rd-5th grade students are:

  • Word Prediction
  • Text to Speech Play/Pause/Stop
  • Hover Speech
  • Talk and Type
  • Screen Masking
I actually have them turn off many tools (using Settings) that they won't use consistently so that they aren't overwhelmed by all of the tools/options. More on that below.

How I Teach Students to Use Read&Write

Again, building independence in using these tools is the most important thing I can do.

With my students' previous knowledge of Snap&Read and Co-Writer, this has been an easy shift. BUT even for new students, Read&Write is so user-friendly that new students (or 3rd graders, which is when I introduce this assistive technology tool) are picking it up quickly.

Here's my small group teaching procedure:
1. We work together to write a paragraph, using text and a graphic organizer in small group.
2. I create an assignment in Google Classroom where they will open a Google Doc and type the paragraph we wrote together. (In this case, idea generation is not as important as practicing using the tool.)
3. I help them open the extension/app and pin it to their toolbar.
4. We together go to Settings. 
  • I allow them 3-5 minutes to select a voice of choice (but must be US English!). 
  • I have them change speed to 35. (This makes it easier for them to listen back for errors in their writing!)
  • I tell them which icons they can turn off. Often, this is translate, picture dictionary, dictionary, vocabulary, voice note, and collect highlights.
    • For our purposes and considering the ages of my students, we tend to focus more on talk to text, word completion/prediction, and text to speech. 
5. Then, they practice speaking the paragraph we wrote together.
  • A hint is that I always tell them to speak 2-3 words at a time and then turn off the microphone. This prevents lags in talking and the possibility of picking up someone else's voice.
6. This is probably the most important step: I have them listen back to the paragraph they typed/spoke. The hope is that they hear any mistakes and correct them.


Use as Classroom and Testing Accommodation

Make sure Read&Write - not necessarily by name, but definitely as speech to text, text to speech, and word completion software - is noted in a student's IEP under present levels, consideration of special factors (assistive technology), and accommodations. In present levels, it is helpful to say how the student uses it (what content it allows them to access) and that they use it consistently.

Of course, consistently using Read&Write is the best way to prepare students to use it independently as a classroom or testing accommodation.

Each spring, I am so proud of how comfortable my students are using it when we take our statewide assessment.
In addition to speech to text (talk and type), text to speech, and word completion, they also love practicing with the screen masking tool. That is another one that is built into their statewide test that we practice using with Read&Write.


How do you teach students to use AT/Read&Write software? Are there any icons you use that I don't? How do you use them?
Have you found or created a "cheat sheet" for students to use? Or a way to share your knowledge with gen ed teachers so that more students are able to use it?


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