Understanding and Supporting Learners with Dyslexia

  Potential Learning Environments and Activities that Support Literacy Learning  Introduction: The climate of a classroom can play a significant role in the growth of a child’s literacy development. In this blog we will be walking through what to look for in an innovative classroom and ways to promote literacy development, especially those with learning differences. Erin Brockovich, a lawyer and dyslexia advocate gave this quote to fellow dyslexics- “When someone helping you gets frustrated, don’t let them. Take a step back, because you can’t learn anything under pressure.” I believe that this quote is important to note because it helps us as teachers see the frustration that learning can cause to someone with dyslexia. We are meant to push students into their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) because we know that students learn best when they are venturing beyond their “capabilities”, but we are not to push them to the point of frustration, especially to the point of defeat....

Introduction In this week’s blog, we will discuss the potentials and possibilities that learners with dyslexia can achieve through identification, intervention, accommodations, and support.  Students living with dyslexia require certain steps that build a foundation for climbing their way to success. Identification for students with dyslexia is an important first step in understanding what interventions are required to reinforce the letter-sound knowledge and decoding skills necessary to read text.  Along with effective interventions, certain accommodations may be required for students with dyslexia in order for them to achieve their potential.  Finally, the continued social and emotional support for students with dyslexia provided by different members of their lives are essential in ensuring their continued progress and potential. Identification The very first step in building a foundation of success for students with dyslexia is early and efficient identification of...

  Introduction As educators we serve a variety of learners and implement practices that will best support their growth.  Students may come to us like a scattered puzzle, and it may be up to us to piece together all their characteristics and qualities to have a more complete view of what tools, resources, and practices could help them to get the most out of their learning experiences in the classroom.  In this first blog post we will explore the characteristics that could be present in learners who may have dyslexia.  We will discuss the research that mentions certain neurological, literacy, genetic, gender, and sociocultural characteristics that may be present in learners with dyslexia.  By examining these characteristics, it is our hope that educators may feel more knowledgeable about what factors that could be present in our students that are currently in our classrooms, or future students to come.  Neurological and Literacy Characteristics Studies ...

     The purpose of this blog is to inform fellow teachers and pre-service teachers about dyslexia and how to support their students with dyslexia.  We will post weekly topics about the characteristics of learners with dyslexia, why these learners struggle and what their key challenges are, what research says about the literacy learning possibilities of students with dyslexia, and the potential learning environments and activities that support literacy learning.  We will also include teaching strategies for teachers and pre-service teachers to use in the classroom with students who may have dyslexia. This blog will also include resources and tools for teachers and families to support students with dyslexia.