Smarty Ants is a unique teaching aid based upon proven educational research that shows children greatly increase their engagement and results when they're able to select their own learning environment. 

Research & Effectiveness

Smarty Ants Reading World was developed by leading reading researchers, Dr. Robert Calfee of Stanford University Graduate School of Education and Dr. David Pearson of the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Education. Smarty Ants Reading World also incorporates the key components of effective literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension as defined in the Report of the National Reading Panel (NICHD, 2000). During development, formative evaluations were conducted of Smarty Ants Reading World. Researchers studied students in individual and small group settings to maximize its effectiveness. Additionally, controlled experimental trials of Smarty Ants Reading World have been conducted and are being analyzed for publication. Trials were conducted in urban, suburban, and rural settings in geographically diverse areas of the United States and its territories. Preliminary findings indicate students using Smarty Ants are highly engaged in the program and are making exceptional progress in the development of their literacy skills. Full reports of each study will be published upon completion.

Research Reports

Preliminary Report of a Controlled Experimental Trial of Smarty Ants Reading World.

White Papers

The Smarty Ants Reading World white papers provide the complete
research-base upon which the Smarty Ants curriculum is based. These papers
highlight the proven instructional strategies and curriculum design that
support the needs of today's classrooms including English language learner
needs, early literacy, reading disorders, reading skill development, data
capture/analysis, use of games to learn, and more.