Wizard of Oz – Hidden Difference Free

Wizard of Oz – Hidden Difference Free is designed to promote the joy of reading by enabling users to explore the novel through a series of leveled activities that unlock sequential parts of the book. To begin, users click the ‘play’ button and select from one of three levels—beginning, expert, or genius. Upon making a selection, the first page of the Wizard of Oz is read orally to them. At the same time, users are presented with two seemingly identical images illustrating action in the novel, and users are to tap all of the identifiable differences between the two images before time runs out. Users are rewarded with stars and points based on the speed that the task is completed. If all of the differences are not found before times run out, the user is unable to progress to the next level. One hint per page is provided if needed, and if users make an incorrect selection, they are penalized and lose 20 seconds on the clock.

Instructional Ideas

1. After engaging the Wizard of Oz app, teachers can quiz students on the content of the story, thus ensuring students are paying attention to the plot as well as locating differences in the images.
2. After using the Wizard of Oz app, teachers can ask students to engage in a similar activity by drawing a pair of images that illustrate the action in a story that is not The Wizard of Oz. In this way, students can use this app as a model, which will help them understand the task they are to complete for the new text. Plus, the act of drawing pictures supports students’ reading comprehension skills.
3. While engaging in the Wizard of Oz app, the teacher can purchase the full text and project the words of the story on a smart board. After each page, the teacher can direct the students’ attention to the board, ask them to select unfamiliar words, and have them try to figure out the meaning based on the content of the story coupled with the visual depictions from the app.

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