I’ve been following the ongoing phonics debate in Australia with interest. Many parents are calling for the introduction of the Phonics Screening Check (PSC) and state Education Ministers are opposing it. Is phonics a panacea? Introduced in 2012, can we categorically say the PSC has been a success? Children are still failing to learn to […]
Is reading like riding a bike? Read More »
Guided spelling or ‘Spelling between the desks’, is a new concept of mine! Informed in part by mine and others’ approaches to maths. We are essentially trying to get inside the mind of the student to help to guide and explore their own thinking, in order to model HOW to think analytically about spelling.
Guided Spelling: spelling between the desks. Read More »
The word ‘divide’ comes from Latin: dividere “to force apart, cleave, distribute,” Division as a concept is fiendishly difficult to teach. Most children can understand ‘sharing’ objects and move on to sharing on ‘plates’ but does this naturally lead to more formalised methods of division? According to Nunes and Bryant (1996), division as
How to conquer divide? Read More »
On the 31/1/19 there will be a discussion about dyslexia at the IoE involving some eminent people in the field: ‘Dyslexia diagnosis, scientific understandings and belief in a flat earth.’ This follows a statement last year from Warwickshire and Staffordshire County Council that a dyslexia diagnosis is ‘scientifically questionable’, with other schools now saying that
Where do we go from here? dyslexia Read More »
It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to transition and if you have an effective transition in your school, you’ve probably been thinking about it for a while. I’m talking here about the move to…BIG SCHOOL. Pupils with dyslexia often find this even more daunting than your average student. How to ease transition
Movin on up: transition Read More »
Here are some thoughts from @creativeartJan on helping her school age self: Give me the information/learning in advance, so I can plan ahead and be prepared. Provide a list of key vocabulary. Give worksheets and books with clear, large font. Give examples where support for homework can be found and include alternatives
To my teachers: from an adult dyslexic Read More »
https://twitter.com/thinkpix_suze/status/1048191722268893184?s=21 Arrrrrrgh what’s a contraction??????? Question: how can I give a concrete meaning to this abstract word? Is there a real life application? Kinaesthetic/experiential (aka primary information): ask students to hold up their arm – when outstretched, the muscle is longer (antonym: expansion). Tense the fist and bend the arm, feel the muscle; it is
Fantastic Contractions and how to find them! Read More »
Dyslexia impacts on the mental health of a child and its carers. The wellbeing of the dyslexic and their family is in the hands of the school, other educational setting, or work. Wield your power mindfully and with compassion. I returned to education a couple of years ago. Whilst being a slow processor, with some
Dyslexia; mental health matters! Read More »
The first academic paper on dyslexia was published in 1896 in the British Medical Journal by William Pringle Morgan. Dyslexia was ‘discovered’ by psychologists, who, when presented with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, found that despite average or above IQ’s, they had an inability to read and write. These children had shared characteristics.
Dyslexia: start a discussion Read More »
