📚 Lesson 5.2 Resources & Downloads
Use Tech to Expand—Not Replace—Connection: Supporting Materials
Welcome! Below you’ll find all the downloadable resources, tracking sheets, and guides to help you use technology intentionally for literacy.
🎯 Quick Start: Your First Three Steps
New to digital reading? Start here:
- Today: Get a library card (if you don’t have one) and download the Tech Tools Decision Guide
- This week: Set up Libby app and check out ONE audiobook or e-book
- Next week: Use the 80/20 Balance Tracker to monitor your family’s reading balance
- Ongoing: Reference the Co-Engagement Conversation Starters and Accessible Resources Guide as needed
📥 Downloadable Resources
🎯 Resource 1: Tech Tools Decision Guide
What it is: A comprehensive guide to help you choose the RIGHT digital tools for your family’s specific needs and budget.
Use this when: You’re overwhelmed by app choices and need help deciding which tools to try first.
What’s included:
- Decision tree based on goals, age, budget, and learning needs
- Scenario-based recommendations (tight budget, dyslexia, long commutes, etc.)
- Quick comparison chart of major platforms
- Free vs. paid options clearly marked
- 4-week action plan to get started
- Tools to avoid (and why)
Download: 📄 Tech Tools Decision Guide (PDF)
⚖️ Resource 2: 80/20 Balance Tracker
What it is: A weekly tracking sheet to help you monitor the balance between human-interactive and digital reading.
Use this when: You want to ensure digital tools are supplementing, not replacing, human connection.
What’s included:
- Detailed weekly tracking sheets
- Daily percentage calculations
- Weekly summary and reflection prompts
- Simplified monthly tracker for ongoing use
- Guidance on interpreting your results
- Adjustments for special circumstances (travel, learning disabilities, etc.)
- Red flags to watch for
Download: 📄 80/20 Balance Tracker (PDF)
💬 Resource 3: Co-Engagement Conversation Starters
What it is: Specific conversation starters and engagement strategies organized by platform and activity type.
Use this when: You want to practice co-engagement but aren’t sure what to say or how to interact with digital stories.
What’s included:
- Conversation starters for audiobooks (car, home, bedtime)
- E-book co-reading prompts
- Smart speaker engagement strategies
- Age-specific conversation starters (2-5, 6-9, 10+)
- Co-engagement by time available (30 seconds to 20+ minutes)
- Four levels of co-engagement
- Quick reference card to keep near devices
Download: 📄 Co-Engagement Conversation Starters (PDF)
♿ Resource 4: Accessible Reading Resources Guide
What it is: Comprehensive guide to assistive technology and accessible reading resources for children with different learning needs.
Use this when: Your child has dyslexia, ADHD, vision impairments, autism, developmental delays, or is an English language learner.
What’s included:
- Tools for dyslexia & reading disabilities (Bookshare, Learning Ally, etc.)
- Resources for vision impairments (screen readers, large print, Braille)
- Strategies for ADHD & focus challenges
- Support for English language learners
- Tools for autism spectrum and developmental delays
- Budget-friendly accessibility options
- IEP/504 accommodation language
- How to talk to your child about assistive tech
Download: 📄 Accessible Reading Resources Guide (PDF)
📱 Essential Free Apps to Download Today
🏆 Start With These (All FREE):
Libby (by OverDrive)
- What it is: FREE library audiobooks and e-books
- Cost: FREE with library card
- Why start here: Thousands of titles, no purchases, auto-returns
- Download: App Store, Google Play, or libbyapp.com
- Setup time: 5 minutes
Hoopla
- What it is: FREE instant library borrowing
- Cost: FREE with library card
- Why add this: No holds/waitlists, instant access
- Download: App Store, Google Play, or hoopladigital.com
💰 Budget-Based Recommendations
$0 Budget (FREE Only):
- ✓ Libby (library card)
- ✓ Hoopla (library card)
- ✓ CloudLibrary (library card)
- ✓ Bookshare (if qualified for learning disability)
- ✓ Built-in accessibility features (VoiceOver, TalkBack)
- ✓ YouTube (with supervision)
Under $10/Month:
- ✓ All free options above PLUS…
- ✓ Epic! ($7.99/month) – 40,000+ kids books
- ✓ Vooks ($4.99/month) – Animated storybooks ages 2-8
- ✓ Voice Dream Reader ($9.99 one-time) – Powerful text-to-speech
$10-20/Month:
- ✓ All options above PLUS…
- ✓ Audible ($14.95/month) – Massive audiobook selection
- ✓ Kindle Unlimited ($9.99/month) – E-books + audiobooks
🎯 Implementation Pathways
Choose the path that fits your family’s style:
🚀 Quick Start (This Week)
Perfect for: Families who like to jump in and experiment
Steps:
- Day 1: Get library card (if needed), download Libby
- Day 2: Check out ONE audiobook
- Day 3: Try listening in car or during quiet time
- Day 4: Practice one co-engagement moment
- Day 5-7: Notice what works, adjust as needed
- Next week: Track 80/20 balance
📋 Strategic Start (2-3 Weeks)
Perfect for: Families who like to plan and prepare
Steps:
- Week 1: Download all resources, read Decision Guide, identify needs
- Week 2: Set up chosen apps, explore features together
- Week 3: Start using tech intentionally, practice co-engagement
- Week 4+: Track 80/20 balance, refine approach
🌱 Gentle Start (1 Month)
Perfect for: Families hesitant about technology or in transition
Steps:
- Week 1-2: Just observe current tech/reading habits
- Week 3: Download Libby, explore without pressure
- Week 4: Try ONE audiobook in car
- Month 2: Add co-engagement practice
- Month 3: Track balance if helpful
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which resource should I download first?
Start with the Tech Tools Decision Guide if you’re overwhelmed by choices. Start with the 80/20 Balance Tracker if you already have tools but want to ensure healthy balance.
Is Libby really completely free?
YES! With just a library card (also free), you access thousands of audiobooks and e-books. Zero purchases required. Books auto-return. It’s the #1 resource every family should know about!
My child has dyslexia. Where should I start?
Download the Accessible Reading Resources Guide first. It explains Bookshare (free for qualified users), Learning Ally, and other assistive technology. Then use the Tech Tools Decision Guide to create your accessibility toolkit.
How do I know if my 80/20 balance is right?
Use the 80/20 Balance Tracker for 1-2 weeks. It includes interpretation guidance! The “right” balance depends on your child’s needs – children with learning disabilities may appropriately have more digital use.
I feel awkward trying co-engagement. Help?
Download the Co-Engagement Conversation Starters! It has specific phrases to use during audiobooks, e-books, and more. Start with just ONE comment per story – “Ooh, that’s interesting!” counts!
Can I share these resources with my child’s teacher?
You’re welcome to recommend Words That Bloom to teachers! However, these resources are for your personal use as part of your course enrollment.
🌸 What’s Next?
Once you’ve downloaded your resources and started using technology intentionally:
- Share your wins! Post in the course community about your first co-engagement moment or favorite new tool
- Ask questions: Use the Q&A section if you get stuck
- Move to Lesson 5.3: “Building Reading Independence” – Helping your child read without you
Remember: Technology is the tool. You are the connection.
Start with ONE tool. Practice co-engagement. Monitor your balance.
Make screen time story time! 🌸
📞 Need Help?
Having trouble implementing? Here’s how to get support:
- Review the lesson’s “When Things Get Tricky” section
- Check the Tech Tools Decision Guide troubleshooting section
- Post your question in the course community
- Email support: support@wordsthatbloom.org
- Book a 1:1 coaching call (if available in your course package)
You’ve got this! 🌸