V-tech Alphabert s Magic Readport User manual

© 2002 VTech
Printed in China
91-01528-000
AlphaBert’s Magic ReadPort
™
AlphaBert’s Learn-to-Read System™
AlphaBert Sprocket AlphaBit
AlphaBertoAlphaBetsy
User's Manual
Look for more great products
in AlphaBert’s Learn-to-Read System™…coming soon!
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www.vtechuk.com

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Dear Parent,
At VTech®, we know how important learning to read is to your child’s future.That’s why
we created AlphaBert’s Learn-to-Read System™- a progressive line of interactive
learning products uniquely designed to teach your child how to read, while making the
experience fun and rewarding.
This progressive system eliminates the guesswork when selecting learning toys for
your child. Learning to read is a step-by-step process, and AlphaBert’s Learn-to-
Read System™provides the necessary building blocks in focused stages. Each stage
has its own unique learning milestone, and builds on existing skills with an extensive
curriculum that is personalized to your child’s age and ability.
Beginning Reader Stage: teaches letters, letter sounds and letter-object associations
Growing Reader Stage: teaches blends, phonics to sound out words and simple spelling
Advancing Reader Stage: teaches independent reading, comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, creative writing
Most importantly, AlphaBert and his friends make learning to read fun, not frustrating.
Your child will meet AlphaBert, Sprocket, AlphaBit, AlphaBetsy and AlphaBerto, the
reading robots who love to learn and want your child to share their excitement and
curiosity. AlphaBert & Friends are your child’s learn-to-read coaches who provide
encouragement to fill your child with confidence and pride.
As with all VTech®learning products, AlphaBert’s Learn-to-Read System™
incorporates advanced technologies that are easy-to-use and reinforce learning. Our
hands-on, multi-sensory toys engage diverse learning styles and promote productive
play.
Reading has the power to enlighten, entertain and develop young minds. We thank
you for trusting VTech®with the important job of helping your child learn to read!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at VTech®
To learn more about AlphaBert’s Learn-to-Read System™and other VTech®toys,
visit www.vtechkids.com
AlphaBerto
AlphaBert AlphaBetsy
AlphaBit
Sprocket

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AlphaBert’s Magic ReadPort™
TO BEGIN PLAY
1. Pull the plastic tab located on the left-hand side of the AlphaBert’s Magic
ReadPort™.
2. To begin play, press the ON/OFF BUTTON. You will hear AlphaBert say “Hi! I’m
AlphaBert. You’ll meet my friends and family soon.”
3. You will hear AlphaBert say “Let’s find out about you!”
4. Then you will hear Sprocket say “Touch the flashing dots and find me.” Follow
Sprocket by using your stylus to touch the flashing dots.
5. A screen will appear indicating your name, address, telephone number and
birthday. Fill in the information by typing on your keyboard.

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TO BEGIN PLAY
6. Select from the following buttons: GRAMMAR, READING, WRITING and
STORIES. The activities for this category will scroll by on the screen. Select one
bypressing theENTER keyon
the keyboard (or touch the
screen with the stylus).
7. Select from the following
activities:
GRAMMAR SENTENCE STRUCTURE
SPELLING
PARTS OF SPEECH
PUNCTUATION
WORD USAGE
READING PHONICS
ALLITERATION
VOCABULARY BUILDER
COMPREHENSION
MAIN IDEA
WRITING FREE DRAW
LETTER FORMATION
WRITING PATTERNS
CREATIVE WRITING
GREETINGS
STORIES WACKY WORD READ
RIDDLES
FICTION
POETRY
NONFICTION
8. Press the CONTRAST/VOLUME BUTTON to change
the contrast of the screen or the volume. Simply use
your stylus on the screen to increase or decrease the
volume or contrast. You can also use the left and right
direction keys on the keyboard.

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9. Press the DICTIONARY ICON during the activities and you will see built-in
words appear on the screen along with their definition. Please note that not every
word features a definition.
10.Press the THESAURUS ICON during the activities and you will see built-in
synonyms for specific words. Please note that not every word features a synonym.
11. Press the SPANISH ICON during the activities and you will see Spanish
translationsof built-inwords. Please notethat notevery word featuresa translation.
12.Press the UPLOAD ICON to upload files to your personal computer. Please
refer to the UPLOAD section in this manual for details.
13.Press the HOME ICON to go back to the first page.
14.Press the FORWARD ICON to go to the next page.
15.Press the BACK ICON to go back to the previous page.
16.PresstheHELP KEY toreceiveassistanceduring eachactivity. Forthose activities
that do not feature helpful hints due to the nature of the activity, you will hear a
sound effect. These activities include:
FREE DRAW
WRITING PATTERNS
CREATIVE WRITING
GREETINGS
FICTION
POETRY
NONFICTION
17.Most activities have three levels of difficulty. You can change the level by pressing
the LEVEL KEY. When you answer questions correctly in specific activities
successively, you will receive a message indicating you’ve won a certificate for
performing well. In addition,AlphaBert will automatically advance you to the next
level.
TO BEGIN PLAY

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18.Press the SHIFT KEY followed by a LETTER KEY to type in uppercase letters.
19.Press the FN KEY followed by a LETTER KEY to change the text to the number
or symbols above the letters.
20.Press the ESC KEY to go back one step.
21.PresstheBACKSPACE KEY to deletethe previouscharacter typed on the screen.
22.Press the ENTER KEY to confirm input after answering a question or to proceed
to the next line on the screen.
23.Press the UP, DOWN, LEFT or RIGHT DIRECTION KEYS to move your cursor
position on the screen.
24.To re-calibrate your pen or edit your personal information (name, address,
telephone number or birthday), touch the lower left-hand corner icon on the screen
or press FN KEY followed by MENU KEY in activity selection.
25.To turn the unit off, press the ON/OFF BUTTON. You will hear “See you soon”
followed by “Adiós, amigos!”
AlphaBert’s Magic ReadPort™- ACTIVITIES
GRAMMAR
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Sentence Structure by touching the activity name with your
stylus when it appears on the screen. There are two different styles of games for
this activity.
GRAMMAR ACTIVITIES
A

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GRAMMAR ACTIVITIES
Game 1
1. A sentence will be shown with an extra word in it. Help AlphaBit by picking the
extra word from the sentence. AlphaBit will cover the selected word with a leaf.
2. When the correct answer is selected, dinosaurs will take the leaf away leaving the
correct sentence behind.
3. When an incorrect answer is selected, dinosaurs will pick up AlphaBit and take
him away. After answering incorrectly three times in a row, it will show you the
correct sentence.
Game 2
1. A sentence will be shown with a word missing. Three words are then shown and
you have to help AlphaBit find the correct word to make the sentence correct.
2. When the correct answer is selected, dinosaurs will take AlphaBit for a ride.
3. When an incorrect answer is selected, a falling apple will hit AlphaBit. After
answering incorrectly two times in a row, it will show you the correct answer.
SPELLING
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Spelling by touching the activity name with your stylus when it
appears on the screen.
2. AlphaBerto will dribble a basketball. Basketballs will bounce out with a letter on
each one. Rearrange the letters by touching the letter balls or typing the letters, in
order to correctly spell a word.
3. If you spell the word correctly,AlphaBerto will shoot the basketball into the basket.
4. If you spell the word incorrectly, AlphaBerto will shoot and miss the basket. After
answering incorrectly three times in a row, it will show you the correct answer.
PARTS OF SPEECH
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Parts of Speech by touching the activity name with your stylus
when it appears on the screen.
2. AlphaBit,AlphaBert and Sprocket will take you to the amusement park. AlphaBert
will first introduce a noun,AlphaBit will introduce an adjective, and finally, Sprocket
will introduce a verb.

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3. Asentence will appear and one of the characters, for exampleAlphaBert, will ask
you to find all the nouns that appear in the sentence.
4. When you have found the right one, the character will ask you to find more.
5. When you have found the wrong one, a character will explain that particular part
of speech and ask you to try again. After picking the wrong part of speech three
times in a row, it will show you the correct answer.
PUNCTUATION
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Punctuation by touching the activity name with your stylus
when it appears on the screen.
2. Sprocket will hold a bow and arrow. A sentence with the punctuation missing will
appear on the screen. Then you will see two bull’s-eye with punctuation marks
inside of them. Select the correct punctuation for the sentence.
3. You may use the BACK ICON to see the sentence again, if you need to refer to it.
4. When you select the correct punctuation mark, Sprocket will shoot the arrow in
the middle of the target and you will hear a positive phrase.
5. If you pick an incorrect punctuation mark, Sprocket will miss the target and he will
show you the correct answer.
WORD USAGE
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Word Usage by touching the activity name with your stylus
when it appears on the screen.
2. AlphaBerto willbe playing soccer at afield. Asentencewill beshown with a missing
word. HelpAlphaBerto by finding the correct word to fit into the sentence. You will
be given two words from which to choose. Select the correct word usage to make
the sentence correct.
3. When you select the correct word, AlphaBerto will kick the ball into the net and
score a goal.
4. When you select an incorrect word, AlphaBerto’s soccer ball will not go into the
net, and he will show you the correct answer.
GRAMMAR ACTIVITIES
A

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READING ACTIVITIES
READING
PHONICS
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Phonics by touching the activity name with your stylus when it
appears on the screen.
2. AlphaBerto will be in the Wild, Wild West riding a horse. You will see two wagons
with a word on each wagon. Find the word with the spoken phonetic sound.
3. When you select the word with the corresponding phonetic sound,AlphaBerto will
win the wagon race.
4. If you select the word without the corresponding phonetic sound, the wagon’s
wheel will come off and AlphaBerto will lose the race. Then he will show you the
correct answer.
ALLITERATION
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Alliteration by touching the activity name with your stylus when
it appears on the screen.
Game 1
1. Sprocket is visiting the Amazon Forest. A sentence with a missing word will be
shown. Help Sprocket to find the missing word by picking the log with the correct
word to make an alliteration sentence. The first sound/letter of each word should
be the same.
2. When you select the correct log, Sprocket will jump over to the other side of the
river.
3. If you select an incorrect log, Sprocket will not be able to jump over to the other
side. If you select an incorrect answer two times in a row, Sprocket will fall into the
river and he will show you the correct answer.
Game 2
1. Sprocket is fishing in the Amazon River. A sentence will appear on the screen.
Some letters are missing. Help Sprocket find the missing letters by picking the
fish with the correct letter to make an alliterative sentence, the first sound/letter of
each word should be the same.

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READING ACTIVITIES
2. When you select the correct fish, Sprocket will catch a fish.
3. If you select an incorrect fish, Sprocket will fall into the water. After answering
incorrectly two times in a row, it will show you the correct answer.
VOCABULARY BUILDER
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Vocabulary Builder by touching the activity name with your
stylus when it appears on the screen.
2. AlphaBert is visitingAncient Egypt to see the Great Pyramid.Aword will be shown
with 8 words. Only 6 of them will describe the word shown.You will need to select
the 6 words that describe the given word.
3. When all 6 words are found,AlphaBert will build the pyramid and see the sphinx.
He will then celebrate by performing an Egyptian dance.
4. If you select an incorrect word twice, the pyramid will collapse and the correct
answer will be shown.
COMPREHENSION
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Select the activity Comprehension by touching the activity name with your stylus
when it appears on the screen.
2. AlphaBit will walk into a toy shop. You get to help him pick a toy. Once you’ve
selected a toy,AlphaBit will play with the toy and ask you read a story. This will be
followed by some questions about the story.
3. If you pick the train, AlphaBit will ride into a tunnel. Then AlphaBit will see a
paragraph. After reading the paragraph, read the questions and answer them by
selecting the answer with your stylus.
4. When a correct answer is selected, AlphaBit will go through the dark tunnel.
5. If anincorrect answeris selected,AlphaBitwill endup ata dead-end. If you answer
incorrectly two times in a row, he will show you the correct answer.
6. If you pick the dinosaur, AlphaBit will ride on it. AlphaBit will see a paragraph.
After reading the paragraph, read the questions and answer them by selecting
the answer with your stylus.
7. When the correct answer is selected,AlphaBit will go on a ride with the dinosaur.