section 1 of 4
Classroom activities to get started
Use these resources to introduce Read&Write in a structured, engaging way
Scavenger Hunt activity
Make a copy of this guided activity to help students explore key tools step by step.
~20 mins
Self-guided intro
Minecraft Explorers lesson
Play this to the whole class to teach younger students how to use Read&Write.
~45 mins
Themed quest
Stranger Things lesson
Play this to the class to walk secondary or high school students through Read&Write.
~45 mins
Story-based
Superheroes lesson
A superhero-themed lesson that introduces students to Read&Write's main features.
1–2 hrs
Whole class
section 2 of 4
Feature tours by platform
Explore these short videos to show students how specific tools work. Use them during lessons to model how features work in context.
Reading and fluency
Text-to-Speech
Text-to-Speech reads text aloud while highlighting words, helping students follow along and better understand what they’re reading.
Benefits:
- Reads text from documents, websites and PDFs
- Supports comprehension with dual color highlighting
+ 4 more
Screenshot Reader
Convert text embedded within pictures, diagrams, tables, charts, maps, graphs, etc., into accessible text that is read aloud.
Benefits:
- Increases accessibility of embedded text
- Enables readability of advertisements, tables, charts, maps, photo captions, banners, etc.
Screen Masking
Enable a tinted window screen with a customized color that moves with your pointer and improves your eye focus.
Benefits:
- Improves focus and eye gaze
- Reduces eye strain
- Reduces visual distractions around text
Audio Maker
Convert text to an MP3 audio file that can be saved or shared for future use on any mobile audio device.
Benefits:
- Increases accessibility of read-aloud text in any environment (listen to text anytime, anywhere).
- Supports memorizing formulas, poems, speeches, etc.
Practice Reading Aloud
Capture reading accuracy and fluency on a recording device as students practice reading aloud.
Benefits:
- Enables students to practice and record themselves reading selected text, listen to their recording and send it to their teacher
- Supports reading accuracy, fluency, speech memorization, etc.
Comprehension and vocabulary
Dictionary and Picture Dictionary
Dictionary tools provide instant definitions, with the option to hear words read aloud or see visual supports.
Benefits:
- Defines unfamiliar words with audio support
- Builds vocabulary using text and images
+ 6 more
Translator
Translate single word text into 90+ different languages.
Benefits:
- Increases efficiency of single word translation when reading text
- Enhances the Picture Dictionary feature to support word meaning and text comprehension
Collect Highlights
Mark and categorize important information using a color coded system. Gather color coded highlights into a new resource to promote higher-level thinking.
Benefits:
- Facilitates summarization, categorization and higher-order thinking
- Improves organization of information to support writing tasks and research
- Increases efficiency of note taking and study guide creation
Vocabulary List
Description: Create a graphic organizer with a list of vocabulary words, definitions, and picture examples.
Benefits:
- Reduces planning time by creating vocabulary resources efficiently
- Provides differentiated support with a resource that can be easily modified to include or exclude words, definitions, images and notes
Web Search
Launch a web search for any word, phrase, or topic to support word meaning and understanding of text.
Benefits:
- Builds background knowledge efficiently
- Supports research and writing tasks
- Reduces open-ended web searches and distractions
Simplify Page
Remove distracting images and create a simplified version of text with customized color, font and line spacing.
Benefits:
- Removes clutter from webpages and reduces distractions from images, advertisements, hyperlinks, etc.
- Improves reading focus and efficiency
- Enables ability to copy articles into a Google Doc without text disruption from embedded images
- Supports differentiation with multiple levels of text simplification and summarization
Rewordify
Replace complex vocabulary with simpler, easier to understand words and phrases.
Benefits:
- Improves readability and comprehension for all literacy levels
- Reduces complex, difficult words without changing the meaning of the text
- Provides differentiated reading opportunities on the same topic
Written expression
Prediction
Help students plan, write and edit their work with greater confidence.
Benefits:
- Defines unfamiliar words with audio support
- Builds vocabulary using text and images
+ 3 more
Talk&Type
Turn spoken words into text by dictating into a microphone.
Benefits:
- Increases participation opportunities and alternate format for writing tasks
- Increases ability to get thoughts on paper more easily and efficiently
Check It
Proofread written text by checking writing conventions.
Benefits:
- Supports development of sentence structure, spelling, and grammar
- Promotes independence with writing tasks as students check their own writing errors and view suggestions
- Provides opportunities to see repeated errors
Voice Notes
Record a quick (one minute or less) audio file and insert it into a document.
Benefits:
- Reinforces note taking skills through an alternate format
- Increases ability to provide student feedback and reminders without relying on ability to accurately read feedback/reminder notes
Process information in ways that suit them
Understand unfamiliar words
Plan and proof their writing
Work more independently
Access content in multiple languages
Improve study skills, focus, and concentration
section 3 of 4
Find the right tools for each student
Not every student uses Read&Write in the same way. Depending on what you're working on, some tools may be more helpful than others. Here are some examples of what can be useful for varying groups.
Elementary students
Great tools for building confidence with reading and writing.
- Text-to-Speech
- Dictionary
- Picture Dictionary
- Prediction
- Screen Masking
- Practice Reading Aloud
Middle and High School students
Helpful tools for studying, research, and independent learning.
- Text-to-Speech
- Highlighters
- Vocabulary List
- Dictionary
- Web Search
- Screen Masking
Need help with reading?
These features are designed to support better comprehension, concentration, and focus.
- Text-to-Speech
- Screenshot Reader
- Picture Dictionary
- Highlighters
- Screen Masking
- Web Search
Need help with writing?
Students can improve with dedicated support that helps them build writing and vocabulary skills.
- Talk&Type
- Vocabulary List
- Voice Notes
- Picture Dictionary
- Text-to-Speech
Learning English?
For multilingual students or English Language Learners, translation, and reading support can make a big difference.
- Text-to-Speech
- Prediction
- Picture Dictionary
- Translator
- Vocabulary List
Not sure where to start?
Use the Toolmatcher to discover which Read&Write and OrbitNote features best match your learning needs.
section 4 of 4
Using Exam Mode
If your students use Read&Write as part of exams or assessments, Exam Mode ensures the tool can be used in line with access arrangements.
What is Exam Mode?
Exam Mode lets you control which Read&Write features are available during an exam. Students only have access to the tools they're permitted to use, such as Text-to-Speech.
How it works
Choose which features students can access. Apply settings to a single student, a group, or multiple devices. Turn it on immediately or schedule it for a specific date and time.
Important to know
- Each student must have their own login.
- Read&Write must be opened at least once before the exam.
- Setup must be completed while devices are online.
Need step-by-step instructions?
View the full Exam Mode setup guide for a written walkthrough.