Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
How does Reading Buddy 2.0+ differ from phonics programs?
Reading Buddy 2.0+ relies on the principles of phonics to help the beginning reader to learn how to read the alphabetic consonants in English. With only a few exceptions, these consonants are always read in exactly the same way.
Unfortunately for the beginning reader of English, every word has a vowel and vowels are pronounced differently depending on the context in which they appear. It is this fact that causes so many students to stumble and stress out as they learn to read. Reading Buddy 2.0+ teaches students six basic rules that enable them to determine (decode) exactly how every vowel is read in any English word. After practicing this new knowledge, they become accomplished readers faster than students have in the past.
For how long may I use Reading Buddy 2.0+?
Reading Buddy 2.0+ has been is licensed on a subscription basis. This means that once you subscribe, you may continue to use it until your credit card expires or you cancel your subscription. Reading Buddy 2.0+ will run only on the computers containing a valid license.
Can I share Reading Buddy 2.0+ with other home school teachers?
Yes. In fact, everyone is invited to download a trial copy of Reading Buddy 2.0+ and use it free for 7 days.
How do I get a copy of Reading Buddy 2.0+?
Click on the “Ordering” tab for instructions. Or click here.
What equipment and operating system do I need to run Reading Buddy 2.0+?
You will need a computer running any version of Windows between Windows 98 and Windows 7.
How many students can be enrolled at the same time to use Reading Buddy 2.0+?
You can enroll as many as 15 students to use Reading Buddy 2.0+ at the same time.
How long does it take a student to complete Reading Buddy 2.0+?
For students who are well-prepared and can devote 8 to 10 sessions a week to using the software, many will be able to complete the entire program in 9 to 12 months. At this point, students will be able to read and comprehend some 3,000 words, equivalent to the third grade level in most school districts.
Reading Buddy 2.0+ assumes that the beginning student has mastered a number of prerequisite skills before starting to learn to read with the software. How well a student has mastered those skills can be determined with the Reading Readiness Assessment component of Reading Buddy 2.0+. Remedial exercises (in the Reading Prep Games) are designed to help students who are weak in one or more prerequisite skills to become thoroughly ready.
How proficient will a student be when Reading Buddy 2.0+ is completed?
Students who complete Level 1 of Reading Buddy 2.0+, having successfully performed all of the activities of each unit will know how to read, spell, type, and comprehend the meaning of some 1200 words. In many parts of the United States, this accomplishment would be comparable to that expected of children at the end of their second grade reading program. When they complete Level 2, their reading vocabulary will exceed 3000 words, easily within the range of third grade readers in most school districts.
How much time does the student need to spend each day with Reading Buddy 2.0+?
We recommend about 30 minutes as a minimum. If it is possible to schedule more time, we’d suggest breaking the activities into sessions that last 20-40 minutes, depending upon the student’s ability to stay focused. For most students, two short sessions a day will be more beneficial than one long session.
What is the minimum age for a child to use Reading Buddy 2.0+?
We don’t believe that there is a minimum age that holds for all children. Children are ready to read when they have mastered the set of prerequisite skills that we have identified. These include the ability to name correctly every letter of the alphabet, whether it is presented as an uppercase or a lowercase character, that they are consistently able to produce the sound associated with every consonant without error, and appreciate the difference between consonants and vowels.
Reading Buddy 2.0+ provides a sophisticated reading readiness assessment test that can help teachers determine students’ proficiency with each prerequisite. It also provides a series of exercises (in the form of games) aimed at teaching students those prerequisite skills that they have not yet mastered.
Can Reading Buddy 2.0+ be used to teach adults?
It certainly can. Because the developers chose graphics that would appeal to young children who are learning to read English as their first language, some adults may wonder if they are being “talked down to.” If such adults are helped to understand that their struggles are shared by the young students for whom the software was originally intended, they may accept the graphics and songs without objection.
Are there supplemental materials that I can access to help me while using Reading Buddy 2.0?
Yes. The Reading Buddy 2.0+ Teacher’s Manual explains the history, rationale, and really practical information that you will need to have trouble-free use of the program on a daily basis.
How can I save the Reading Buddy 2.0+ Teacher’s Manual on my PC and access it when I need it?
This manual is automatically saved on your hard drive when you download and run the installation program. It is in the form of an Adobe Reader “PDF” file, which requires you to have the Adobe Reader program installed. (Most pc’s purchased in the last few years had this software installed before they were sold. If your computer does not have the Adobe Reader program, you can obtain a free copy at www.adobe.com.)
An option near the bottom of the first screen that appears whenever you launch Reading Buddy 2.0+ enables you to view the Teacher’s Manual.
Obtaining & Installing Reading Buddy 2.0+
How may I get a trial copy of Reading Buddy 2.0 + to examine to see if I really want it?
Simply click here and you will be given detailed instructions on the ordering page. You will have 7 days during which you will have free access to determine whether the program will meet the needs of your student(s).
How long does downloading take?
The downloading time for the 250 mb installation file will depend upon whether your connection to the internet is by a dialup line, DSL, cable, or satellite. With a DSL or cable broadband connection, it should take less than 10 minutes. The installation process should also take less than 10 minutes.
How do I install Reading Buddy 2.0+?
As you begin the process of downloading Reading Buddy 2.0+ from the internet, you will be offered the option to RUN or to SAVE the installation file.
If you click on the RUN button, the downloading process will begin; when it finishes, the software will automatically begin the installation process. When that is completed, you will have a new desktop icon (the symbol /a/) that will launch Reading Buddy 2.0 when you click on it.
What equipment and operating system do I need to run Reading Buddy 2.0+?
You will need only a computer running Windows versions 98 to 7.
Running Reading Buddy 2.0+
How many students can be enrolled at the same time to use Reading Buddy 2.0?
You can enroll as many as 15 students to use Reading Buddy 2.0+ at the same time. Once a student completes all of the lessons, practices, stories, and games offered by the software, his or her enrollment can be canceled and a new student enrolled in their place.
How long does it take a student to complete Reading Buddy 2.0?
For students who are well-prepared and can devote 8 to 10 sessions a week to using the software, many will be able to complete the entire program in 6 to 8 months.
Reading Buddy 2.0 + assumes that the beginning student has mastered a number of prerequisite skills before starting to learn to read with the software. How well a student has mastered those skills can be determined with the Reading Readiness Assessment component of Reading Buddy 2.0+. Remedial exercises (in the Reading Prep Games) are designed to help students who are weak in one or more prerequisite skills to become thoroughly ready.
How much time does the student need to spend each day with Reading Buddy 2.0?
We recommend about 30 minutes as a minimum. If it is possible to schedule more time, we’d suggest breaking the activities into sessions that last 20-40 minutes, depending upon the student’s ability to stay focused. For most students, two short sessions a day will be more beneficial than one long session.
Finding the Teacher’s Manual
The Teacher’s Manual for Reading Buddy 2.0+ is saved on your computer whenever you run the RB2_Installation.exe file (the installation file that you downloaded). A link appears at the bottom of the first page when you launch Reading Buddy 2.0+. Just double click it.
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