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Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

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Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#21

Post by Anisa_Mirza »

Anisa_Mirza wrote: post #20
subpixel wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is Reading Rainbow, the subscription version. As a parent of a very young reader, here are my thoughts. - a video component to a reading program is a distraction, not a value-add, until around grade 4. young kids are mesmerized (this should be in all caps) by video, and before around grade 4 video will create a contest for kids' attention that reading will lose. they won't think "I want to read more so I can fol…

Hey there! Thank for comment. I believe some of what we do did not come across? We are not just a video subscription tool. We literally lead 'read out loud' in the classroom while the teacher/actor is acting out the main character in the book. We have a weekly designated Litnerd period in the schools/classes we serve and we live-stream in our teachers/actors for an interactive session (the students participate and re…

I should also add, the format of our program is such that if you don't complete the assigned reading and worksheets, you will feel like you are missing out on what is happening in proceeding episodes. In this way, reading is layered in as a fundamental core to the program.

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#22

Post by emmiechang »

Congrats Anisa! Kids need more ways to inspire them to read, and this is a great program!

I created programs for title 1 schools / kids in math and always wanted a cool way to inspire kids to be more curious and excited about reading.

Can’t wait to see Litnerd grow and reach more kids!

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#24

Post by cardamomo »

This looks like a really thoughtful resource, and I can tell you are hitting all the right marks when it comes to getting this into classrooms. As a first grade teacher, however, I all curious how you see Litnerd fitting into a balanced literacy program. In browsing your programs, I see language comprehension and social emotional learning but no phonics or phonemic awareness. Do you have plans to support these crucial reading skills as well?

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#25

Post by Anisa_Mirza »

cardamomo wrote: post #24

This looks like a really thoughtful resource, and I can tell you are hitting all the right marks when it comes to getting this into classrooms. As a first grade teacher, however, I all curious how you see Litnerd fitting into a balanced literacy program. In browsing your programs, I see language comprehension and social emotional learning but no phonics or phonemic awareness. Do you have plans to support these crucia…

I'm thrilled to have our first elementary school teacher comment!! Yes! We have a team of educators and curriculum writers (broken up by Grades PreK-K, 1-2 and 3-5) that follow Common Core standards and build custom ELA curriculum on top of each book and Litnerd program. We provide 2 lesson plans per week and a total of 8 lesson plans per program. We also create SEL lessons (again, based on the book) that follow NYSED competencies and 'Leader in Me' program language (since that is what most of our schools currently use for SEL). We hope to continue to improve overtime and I would definitely any feedback for us as we grow intros area!

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#26

Post by Anisa_Mirza »

ilyausorov wrote: post #23

Look super cool, congrats Anisa! As someone who lives in NYC, and went to NYC public schools, I can attest how important something like this would be, especially for the schools that have limited resources.

Thank you so much! So far, a lot of our early adoption public schools in NYC are concentrated in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#27

Post by Anisa_Mirza »

emmiechang wrote: post #22

Congrats Anisa! Kids need more ways to inspire them to read, and this is a great program! I created programs for title 1 schools / kids in math and always wanted a cool way to inspire kids to be more curious and excited about reading. Can’t wait to see Litnerd grow and reach more kids!

Means a lot to hear that and super cool that you were doing something similar for other subjects! I have this strong thesis that if we can nail ELA (English Language Arts) that we can utilize this format of bringing subjects to life for math and science as well (fingers crossed).

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#29

Post by HorizonXP »

1. Huge congrats on the launch and success!

2. Sign me up for the B2C offering for my 3 year old.

3. I’m a little confused on the delivery here. It seems that a teacher dedicates time during the day to have a live-streamed enactment of the story. Students then complete exercises relatively independently on their own devices?

Re: Launch HN: Litnerd (YC S21) – Teaching kids to read with the help of live actors

#30

Post by ksvarma »

Hi Anisa: Best wishes to you and your team. I am a parent and I try lot of different tools to help my kids with reading. Yes, the moment I bring up they often say its boring or lose interest. I am curious about what areas of your product be available for parents? If you can provide your email could share more about what I tried and what problems I face?
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