Sue Kinsler Advisory Teachers for Dyslexia-Specific Learning Difficulties, Swindon Dyslexia-SpLD Service Based at Millbrook Primary School Swindon Dyslexia- Specific Learning Difficulties Service

Have you noticed? Often reserved in group discussions Raises hand but unable to answer question Withdrawn Easily distracted Mental Calculations Make poor academic progress Lack creativity in solving complex problems Self esteem/low motivation issues Frustration Multi tasking Difficulty following instructions Incomplete recall Place keeping errors Task abandonment Poor decision making including behavioural choices Spelling,

Study Skills – Accelerated Learning Using the knowledge of how the brain functions – effective learning experiences Multiple Intelligences/Preferred learning styles Preview (Big picture, pupils speculate/link) and review Positive self-esteem and self-belief, linked to setting personal goals

Teaching Pupils how to: Essay write in context – Model essay planning in subject specific sessions - pupils rarely transfer knowledge. Skim Read/highlight key words/mind map Note taking – use real examples of notes being taken in class. Model good practice – the class to use these notes to create a piece of work. Meta –cognition. How do they best learn? Teachers- time allocated to tutor.

Recording Different methods for different people – Your learning/thinking style Visual – Mindmaps, spider grams, use of colour and images Auditory – record the teacher or pupil summarises verbally, listens to recordings and makes notes Kinaesthetic – Drama, make up songs, dance, link to real emotions

Reviewing Material Summarise - pupil describes in own words Build from general to specific (mind maps) Review after 20min, end of lesson, end of the day, a week’s time, end month (Exam timetable) Smaller chunks using memory aides – Roman Rooms, familiar route to school, parts of your body, pupil’s own song/dance Pupil creates a Power Point presentation

Multi-Sensory Teaching:LOOMS L Little and O Often O Over-learning opportunities M Multi-sensory S Systematic

Multi-sensory teaching ‘Use discovery methods – information on post its, pupils discover and re-order, any room/space Unusual visual presentation of content – bold, bright, colourful, multi-media Music – 60 to 70 beats per minute- induces Alpha Brain waves, LT Memory Dramatic dialogue – summarise key points in outrageous voices

Techniques Ridiculous Applications – key facts presented in ridiculous situations/places Build maps – any combination of mind maps, flow charts, key-wording, and highlighting Lists you can keep hand out and refer to in spare moments

“What Works” Reciprocal Reading Paired Reading AcceleRead / AcceleWrite Sound Reading Systems And more…… (What Works for children and young people with literacy difficulties - Gregg Brookes Feb The Dyslexia SpLD Trust)