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🎲 Roll & Read V2 🎲

Roll the dice and read the words! Now with MORE words!

Words Read: 0

Rows Complete: 0

Difficulty Level:

Voice:

Auto-speak words when clicked

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Click "ROLL THE DICE" to start!

📚 For Teachers & Parents - Evidence-Based Research

Research Foundation

Roll & Read is built on peer-reviewed research in early literacy, sight word acquisition, spaced repetition learning, and neurodivergent education. Every design decision—from word selection to the dice mechanic—is grounded in evidence-based practice.

1. Sight Word Progression (Dolch & Fry Lists)

The word lists follow the Dolch Sight Words (1948) and Fry High-Frequency Words (1996), which remain the gold standard for sight word instruction:

220 Dolch words make up 50-75% of all words in children's books
Fry's first 100 words comprise 50% of all written material
Mastery of these high-frequency words enables fluent reading
Organized by grade level (Pre-K through Grade 3) based on frequency analysis

Sources: Dolch Word List by Grade, Core Knowledge: Dolch & Fry Lists (PDF)

2. CVC Word Progression (Phonics Research)

Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) words are the foundation of phonics instruction. Research shows specific sequencing improves learning outcomes:

Short vowel order: a → i → o → u → e (short 'e' is harder for many learners)
CVC words first: Simple sound-symbol correspondence (cat, dog, run)
Then blends & digraphs: More complex patterns (flag, ship, chat)
Finally long vowels: Magic-e patterns (bike, cake, home)

Sources: Reading Elephant: CVC Words, Teaching CVC Words K-2

3. Spaced Repetition & Word Rotation

The word rotation system implements spaced repetition, a learning technique proven to enhance long-term retention:

50+ words per pool: Provides sufficient variety to prevent immediate repetition
24-word history per row: Ensures 4-5 roll gap before repeat exposure
Variable interval exposure: Words reappear after spacing, strengthening memory
Reduced drill fatigue: Novelty maintains engagement without sacrificing practice

Research shows that spaced repetition is more effective than massed practice for word recognition automaticity (Ehri, 2005). The unpredictability of dice rolls creates an optimal balance between novelty and repetition.

Ehri, L. C. (2005). Learning to read words: Theory, findings, and issues. Scientific Studies of Reading, 9(2), 167-188.

4. Gamification & Motivation (Variable Rewards)

The dice rolling mechanic leverages variable ratio reinforcement, one of the most powerful motivational systems in behavioral psychology:

Unpredictable outcomes: Random dice rolls create anticipation
Immediate feedback: Visual and audio reinforcement on every interaction
Intrinsic motivation: Game-like mechanics reduce perception of "work"
Self-paced control: Child determines when to roll (autonomy increases engagement)

Studies show that variable reinforcement schedules maintain engagement longer than fixed schedules (Ferster & Skinner, 1957). The dice introduces unpredictability that sustains interest across repeated practice sessions.

5. Hyperlexia & Visual-Spatial Learning

The Spatial Reader Mode is designed for hyperlexic learners and visual-spatial processors who learn differently:

Whole-word recognition: Visual pattern matching before phonics decoding
Dual hemisphere processing: Engages both visual and linguistic systems
Visual features matter: Word shape, letter height, symmetry as learning cues
Advanced words early: Hyperlexic children often read complex words before simple ones

Research shows hyperlexic learners use simultaneous visual processing of all letters rather than sequential phonics (Grigorenko et al., 2003). The spatial mode groups words by visual features (flat/tall/descenders, double letters, symmetry) rather than phonetic patterns.

Sources: Hyperlexia: Supporting Comprehension, Orthographic Learning & Whole-Word Processing (ResearchGate)

6. Multi-Sensory Learning

Roll & Read integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities:

Visual: Word recognition, color-coded highlighting, animations
Auditory: Text-to-speech pronunciation, multiple voice options
Kinesthetic: Tapping/clicking words, rolling dice button

Multi-sensory instruction shows significant advantages for word recognition, particularly for struggling readers and students with learning differences (Moats, 2020).

7. Scaffolded Independence

The design supports self-directed learning with built-in scaffolds:

Clear visual feedback: Highlighted rows show what to read
Self-checking mechanism: Child taps words as confirmation
Progress tracking: Visible stats provide intrinsic reward
No time pressure: Self-paced reduces anxiety, supports processing time
Adjustable difficulty: Parent/teacher can match child's level

Research on self-regulated learning shows that autonomy and immediate feedback improve motivation and skill acquisition (Zimmerman, 2002).

8. Grid-Based Spatial Organization

The 6×6 grid layout leverages spatial memory and visual organization:

Consistent positioning: Rows always correspond to dice numbers
Spatial anchoring: Position aids memory (top = Row 1, bottom = Row 6)
Pattern recognition: Visual-spatial learners excel with grid structures
Predictable navigation: Reduces cognitive load, increases focus on words

Grid-based layouts support spatial reasoning and are particularly effective for visual-spatial learners (Frontiers in Psychology, 2019-2021: Visual-Spatial Working Memory & Math Skills)

Implementation in Your Classroom/Home

Recommended Usage:

Daily practice: 5-10 minutes per day shows better retention than weekly longer sessions
Match difficulty to skill: Start where child succeeds, gradually increase
Track progress: Use built-in stats to identify mastery and gaps
Celebrate completion: Positive reinforcement built into animations
Use spatial mode: For children who recognize "elephant" but struggle with "cat"

Roll & Read transforms sight word drilling into an engaging, evidence-based game that adapts to each child's learning profile. The combination of research-backed word selection, spaced repetition, gamification, and neurodivergent-friendly design makes it an effective tool for building reading fluency.

Additional Resources

K12 Reader: Dolch Sight Words by Grade
Free CVC Word Lists
Hyperlexia: Systematic Review (PubMed)