Building on what works: the symbols you know, applied where they help most.
What’s changing: Not the symbols themselves—just where they appear. We’re focusing symbols on key, concrete words so students spend more effort on comprehension, not decoding icons.
Why now: We routinely update our approach as research evolves, just like we update topics and lesson design. This ensures News2you remains a best-in-class resource.
What stays the same: Engaging topics, leveled texts, and the option to turn symbols on whenever they help your learners most.
What does the research say? (Why we’re refining symbols)
- Too many visuals can work against comprehension. Over-symbolization can reduce reading comprehension and slow independent reading.
- Attention is split when symbols appear on every word. Students must constantly switch between text and icons, which increases cognitive load and context-switching.
- Decoding icons isn’t the goal—meaning is. Heavy symbol use can hinder learning to read unless symbols are focused on concrete, high-value words that clarify the main idea.
- Streamlined visuals help. When symbols are used selectively, students can devote more working memory to understanding who/what/where/when/why/how.
Why is this important for you students?
Less clutter → more comprehension (lower cognitive load; fewer attention shifts).
Smoother, more independent reading (fewer visual distractions).
Right scaffold, right time (you decide when symbols add clarity for a student, group, or passage).
Examples:
Current Symbol Support:
New Symbol Support:
Top Questions Answered:
Are symbols going away?
- No. They’re applied where they add the most meaning—you control On/Off.
Which words get symbols now?
- People/places/things, what they do, and concrete descriptors that clarify meaning, plus the main idea.
Does this mean the old approach was wrong?
- No—this is a research-aligned refinement, not a reversal.
Download the Fact Sheet for the complete Q&A.