GISD Dyslexia Informer

We are off to a great start this year and have been working toward providing a positive, successful experience this year for our students and families.

Here is what we have to look forward to this year;

• Dyslexia Intersession: Students who are identified with dyslexia may come to the Dyslexia Intersession in the fall, winter, spring and summer.
• Dyslexia Events: Just like in years past, we will conitnue to have dyslexia events! Some events we will be hosting, virtual and/or face to face will be: Dyslexia Simulation, Bilingual Events and Bilingual Simulation, Parent Resource Groups, Don Johnston, and more!
• GISD Symposium: We will be hosting another GISD Symposium for parents, teachers, dyslexia professionals and community members!
• Dyslexia Instruction and Support: Every student identified will receive the services they need. Every grade level and campus provides dyslexia instruction, accommodations and support. We are here for you!

Did you ever hear anyone talk about phonemic awareness? Sometimes this is something that many people may confuse with phonological awareness, or phonics. Phonemic awareness is actually identifying and manipulating of phonemes (smallest unit of sound). This is something that is completely auditory, which means it can be done with your eyes closed and has nothing to do with print but so much to do with reading!

The English alphabet has 26 letters but 44 phonemes.

Phonemic Awareness Activities:

• I Spy...."I spy something that begins with a. . ." (give sound of letter).
• Reading books that focus on rhyming (think like Dr. Suess)
• Play rhyming games. For example, have a noisemaker the student can use when you say a word that rhymes.
• Find as many items as you can that begin with ..... (give the sound)
• Picture match: Cut out three pictures and have student pick out which two rhyme.

Does your student struggle with reading and writing? Have you ever been concerned that your student is struggling with accessing the curriculum? In GISD, we are fortunate to have tools availble for students to ensure equal access to content. Accommodations, and access to tools that support our students learning, is invaluable.

Don Johnston tools, such as Snap&Read and Co-Writer are available for all of our students, and can be a game changer in the life of students and families.

Check out Don Johnston Webinars and their Learning Academy, here: https://learningtools.donjohnston.com/learning-academy/

Another group of graduates made it through the rigorous training which includes completing and passing two years of training, 700 hours of practicum and completing ten demonstration lessons. This group of teachers not only made it through the training of therapist level, but did it throughout the trials of the COVID pandemic. It is amazing what can be achieved when you put your mind to it. Congrats to you all; well deserved.

Not sure who the dyslexia teacher/therapist on campus is? Are you wondering what resources there are for dyslexia support? Check out our website!

WIth resources available with a click of a button, you can access the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, Don Johnston tools, Learning Ally, GISD Informer newsletters, Dyslexia Calendar of Events and more!

Not sure how to access it? You can follow this link: https://www.garlandisd.net/content/dyslexia

We will continue to update the site with new informatio as we move throughout the year. Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Shelby Jones is a Dyslexia Therapist at Armstrong Elementary. She earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and holds a Reading Specialist certification. This is Shelby’s 17th year in education. She has taught, 2nd and 3rd grade, K-5 intervention, and adult literacy before beginning her Dyslexia Therapy training through Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. This is Shelby’s 6th year as a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) andshe is currently working towards her Qualified Instructor (QI) certification, which allows her to help train teachers to become therapists. When she is not working she loves to travel, read and spend quality time with her family and friends.

Email: MEisinger@garlandisd.net
Website: https://www.garlandisd.net/content/dyslexia
Location: 501 South Jupiter Road, Garland, TX, USA
Phone: (972)487-3347
Twitter: @gisd_dyslexia