Classroom strategies

Teaching students with Dyslexia dyslexic students often experience difficulties with: visual tracking auditory perception organization There are various strategies that a teacher can employ

Teaching students with Dyslexia Present an outline of the whole lesson at the start, giving the 'big picture'. Then say how many main points there are within the whole lesson, so that dyslexic students can see the framework of the topic.

Teaching students with Dyslexia Provide photocopied outline lesson notes for students. Although time-consuming, this makes a huge difference to dyslexic students who can then add extra notes around the main points/sections that you have outlined as the lesson progresses.

Teaching students with Dyslexia Never ask a dyslexic student to read out loud. The difficulties many student with Dyslexia experience with visual tracking (following the text along the line and onto the next line) can make it extremely stressful and may cause great embarrassment.

Teaching students with Dyslexia Photocopy powerpoint presentations or Overhead projections (OHPs) and give them out at the start of the lesson. Again these will give the students the main points and they can add notes as the lesson proceeds.

Teaching students with Dyslexia Avoid assignments to be copied from the board. When assignments are set, make sure they are in writing on printed handouts.

Teaching students with Dyslexia Construct a planning document every half term with the class, which includes: topic areas to be covered forthcoming assignment dates This will help students with Dyslexia organise their work more effectively and meet work deadlines.

Teaching students with Dyslexia Finally allow five minutes at the end of a lesson for dyslexic students to approach you individually about any points that have confused them.