October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Week 1
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain that makes it difficult for individuals to read. There is not a cure for Dyslexia, but there are best practices that we can implement to help the students be successful in class and throughout their lives. This month I will send you a weekly newsletter with tips on how to help your struggling reader in the classroom.
It is important that we help build our students self confidence, although they have a reading disability, they are very strong:
Visual-Spatial Learners
Big Picture Thinkers
Entrepreneurial Skills
Seeing Connections
How Student's Think
The students are typically processing their learning in pictures rather than words.
Introducing new words slowly is extremely important. It helps our student gain self confidence when reading.
Spelling
A short list of structure-based words for weekly spelling test will be far more helpful than random words. Three irregular words can be included each week, eventually this should be seen to improve their free-writing skills.
Handwriting
- Allowing the students to write in cursive is a helpful tip to practice with Dyslexic students.
- Make sure a small reference chart is available to serve as a constant reminder for the cursive script in upper and lower case.
- Improvement in handwriting skills can improve self confidence.