Before you start using the Pop-Up app on your own, there are a few things it would probably be helpful for you to learn. However, there is nothing you have to learn about the PQ Pop-Up App that you can’t learn by using it. If you would like to proceed and learn as you go, click here to jump to the library. Otherwise, continue on below: 

 

 PQs: Click the speaker button and watch how different the letter “A” looks and sounds: 

 

Cake   Boat   Dad  Soda   Ball  Said

 

Did you notice how the letter “A” looked different when it sounded different? Those different ways the letters looked are “PQs”. PQs are ways of making letters look different so that they can tell you which of their sounds they are making. PQs are like “phonics clues” and “sound-out hints”. PQs help you learn how to recognize unfamiliar words. The PQ Pop-Up App uses PQs to help guide you into getting good at reading. You will learn all you need to learn about PQs simply by using the PQ Pop-Up App (more on this in Step 2, below).

 

Two Ways: The PQ Pop-Up App has two ways of assisting you: it can help you recognize words, and it can help you understand words. You get help for recognizing words by touching them (or clicking them). You get help for understanding words by touching them, and then touching the  Word Explore button in the Pop-Up. 

Touch for recognizing.          For understanding touch.   

Steps for using the PQ Pop-Up to recognize words:

 

Step 1:  Whenever you stumble on a word that you don’t immediately recognize, click or touch it. Clicking on the word will cause the PQ App to pop-up and show the word in a small blue box. If the word has a lot of letters, the word will be broken into smaller and more easily readable parts. To see what I mean, click on the following word: segmented.

 

Step 2: Once the word appears in the blue box, try to read it again. If you can read it, click or touch anywhere outside the blue box and it will disappear. If you still don’t recognize the word, click it again (click inside the blue box). Each time you click, watch and listen carefully to any letters that changed their looks, or that you hear spoken, and then, try to read the word again. Watching and listening to these “PQs”, (changes in how letters look and sound), will guide you as you learn to get good at figuring out words. 

 

Step 3: If you still don’t recognize the word, click it again; watching, listening, and trying again to recognize it.  You should keep clicking the word and trying to read it until you do. Some words only have two clicks of PQs. Some words have four. Keep clicking and trying. Once you have been given all the PQs for the word, the word will be sounded-out and then, finally, normally spoken for you.

Steps for using the PQs Pop-Up App’s WordExplore button to understand words.

Step 1: Whenever you recognize a word but don’t know what it means, click the word to open the PQ Pop-Up App (just like you would for a word you don’t recognize).

Step 2: Once the PQ Pop-Up App opens with the word in its blue box, click on the WordExplore  button to open the Reference Panel. Once the reference panel opens, choose the type of reference that will help you:     

Step 3: If English is your primary language, click on the Dictionary  or Synonym  button to see the word’s definitions or synonyms. If English is not your primary language, click on the Translator  button to see translations of the word in your language. Note: if the Translator is not set to your language, click on the Translator Menu  button to select it.

Important Note: You can click on any word in the dictionary,  synonyms or  roots reference panel (for example “embarrassing” below), and the PQ Pop-Up will help you read (recognize and understand) the word. 

Using the above steps, practice with some of the words in the table below. Remember: “click, watch, listen, and try to read again”. Once you know how to use the Pop-Up to help you read words, click on the WordExplore  button and use the Reference Panel to help you understand the meanings of words.

 

 

Practice Words
to know fury great mishap Thomas physical Hawaii Knowledgeable	ice meow idea laugh height science porpoise knickknack impossibilities	eye wolf heart mosque shoulder success architect terrorism tyrannosaurus	have pour acres color daughter gorgeous Virginia sauerkraut fahrenheit

On to the next step on the “Independent Learner” page