As parents, teachers, and therapists of students with special needs, finding the right tools to support literacy development can be a challenge. For years, Tarheel Reader has been a go-to platform, providing accessible books to emergent readers of all ages. Now, there’s an exciting update—Monarch Reader by Building Wings. This innovative new platform retains the best of what we loved about Tarheel Reader while adding new features to enhance literacy learning for students of all ages and abilities. And the best part? Monarch Reader is completely free to use!

What Is Monarch Reader?

Monarch Reader is a free, user-friendly, web-based platform designed to provide accessible books for students who have diverse learning needs, particularly in literacy. Like its predecessor, Tarheel Reader, Monarch Reader offers a wide range of books that can be easily customized to fit the specific needs of individual learners. The books are presented in a format that supports beginning readers and those with special learning challenges, including students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

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Here is the official welcome page from Building Wings with a short video by Dr. Karen Erickson.

New Features in Monarch Reader

Monarch Reader is packed with fresh features that make it even more engaging and flexible for students and educators:

• Enhanced Accessibility: The platform now offers more robust support for switch users, students with visual impairments, and those who benefit from customizable text size and color options.
• Interactive Elements: Books now come with interactive features that allow students to engage with the content more dynamically, providing multiple ways to respond and practice literacy skills.
• Broader Selection of Topics: Monarch Reader caters to a wide range of interests and developmental levels, with books suitable for both younger students and older learners. The new platform offers more age-appropriate titles, making it perfect for young adult and adult learners seeking content that matches their maturity and life experiences.
• Integrated Data Collection: Educators and therapists can now track student progress in real-time, with built-in tools that monitor engagement and responses.
  

And remember, all of these features are available at no cost, making Monarch Reader a fantastic resource for families, schools, and therapy programs.

Who Can Benefit from Monarch Reader?

Monarch Reader is designed for students who require alternative methods of accessing and engaging with books. This includes:

• Students with significant cognitive disabilities
• Students using AAC devices
• Beginning readers who need high-interest, low-difficulty texts
• Students with physical disabilities that make traditional reading difficult
  

The platform’s flexibility also makes it suitable for older students who may need content that reflects their age and life experiences while still offering the support needed for their reading levels.

Encouraging Student Choice and Engagement

One of the most powerful aspects of Monarch Reader is its ability to engage students by letting them choose what they want to read. Giving students the autonomy to select books on topics that interest them can significantly boost their motivation to read and improve their literacy skills. Encourage your students to browse the vast collection of books in Monarch Reader. Whether they’re fascinated by animals, technology, sports, or personal stories, there’s something for everyone.

By guiding students to explore their own interests, we tap into their natural curiosity and create meaningful, motivating learning experiences. Here are a few ways you can support your students in choosing books:

• Create a Topic List: Work with your students to create a list of topics that interest them. Monarch Reader’s search feature makes it easy to find books related to a wide variety of themes.
• Book Clubs and Shared Reading: Pair students with similar interests in small reading groups or book clubs to foster collaboration and discussion around shared topics.
• Adapt for Skill Level: Monarch Reader allows for easy modification of books, so you can adjust the complexity of the language or even add images that match the student’s skill level while keeping the content interesting.
  

Age-Appropriate Literacy for All Learners

For older students or adults who are still developing literacy skills, finding books that are both accessible and age-appropriate can be challenging. Monarch Reader addresses this gap by offering a range of titles that reflect the experiences and interests of older readers, such as:

• Biographies of inspiring figures
• Stories about relationships and personal growth
• Books related to jobs, careers, and life skills
• Stories that explore complex themes like independence and self-determination
  

These titles provide a dignified and respectful reading experience for young adult and adult learners, making them feel more connected to the content and more confident in their reading journey.

Conclusion

Monarch Reader is a game-changer for students with special needs in literacy and learning. With its enhanced features, engaging content, and flexible, accessible design, it offers a fresh, powerful tool for literacy development—and best of all, it’s free. By allowing students to choose their own reading material and providing options that are appropriate for learners of all ages, Monarch Reader empowers every reader to find joy and success in their learning.

Encourage your students to explore Monarch Reader and discover how this platform can open up new worlds of literacy for them—at no cost!

Webinar by Dr. Karen Erickson

Sign up for a special webinar by Dr. Karen Erickson on Thursday, October 10th, at 12:00 EST!‍

https://www.buildingwings.com/webinar/integrating-monarch-reader-with-readtopia-and-readtopiago/