[senco-forum] dyslexia friendly schools

What about  'avoiding busy worksheets' with pictures, writing in speech
balloons etc spattered at random around page making it a challenge to follow
the argument or whatever
'avoiding cramming too much on a page' even if paper costs are at a premium
'avoiding single spacing'  1.5 (or 2 but I personally find that too spaced
out) makes it easier to select key words and underline/highlight or whatever
'use bullet points rather than long convoluted sentences'makes memorable
pattern on page with any luck
'give pupil your notes to copy rather than copying from board' ( if you
can't afford to give photocopies  - with photocopies if you require kid to
try to read them to themselves and sort out /highlight important points this
will  keep them occupied whilst their peers are copying if you must use this
as teaching tool) 
'summarise what they should have learnt in todays lesson at the end' (
seeing wood for trees)
Sorry first 3 are negative so not suitable for IEP!!!
Could go on and on - differentiation notes somewhere will have loads more
examples
I agree with amanda - there's no need for the word dyslexic as this will
probably suit all kids barbara ht

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Amanda
Sent: 05 November 2007 08:27
To: chris white; 'senco forum'
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] dyslexia friendly schools

Hi chris
  This seems a pretty comprehensie lit to me - and I agree with Mary's post
too.

  What I'd add would be to put the learning objectives and a task list on
display (on the board) so that pupils can refer to it.

  Personally, I thin k I'd just miss out the word 'dyslexic' afer you have
given out a few tips.  What is good for dsylexic children is good for all
children.

  Would you like a copy of my 'Top tips for Terrific Teachers from the
Talented TA Team'?  The TAs put it together in an INSET as advice on how to
get kids working towards independence.  

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

chris white <chris19251 at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

Hi all,
As part of the dyslexia friendly school initiative I'm putting a 'Tip of the
Week' in the daily briefing sheet to all staff. (We are a secondary school)
I've listed the ones we've thought of so far below.
Any other suggestions please?: Or any comments on any of these which you
think are not correct!

1. Some dyslexic pupils, (and almost everyone when they are tired!) find it
more difficult to read black text on a white background. Try printing
worksheets on a pale coloured paper and using a pale coloured background for
PowerPoint or word presentations to the class.
2. The most appropriate text for dyslexic pupils is Comic Sans MS in font
size: 14. Times New Roman is often regarded as the most difficult font to
read.
3. When producing pictorial handouts for dyslexic pupils try to use a large
picture and bold key words. 
4. Do not giving large amounts of dictation or work to copy off the board to
dyslexic pupils in your group. If you need to give them information to put
in their books print out handouts on cream/buff paper.
Ask them to highlight the key words or facts.
5. When having class discussions reinforce the answers given by pupils by
repeating them back to the class in order to give the dyslexic pupil time to
process the information.
6. Use colour and pictures wherever possible to help visual learners.
7. Encourage pupils to write their own mnemonics to remember key facts.
8. Never ask a dyslexic child to read unprepared text out loud in lesson
without supporting them.
9. When possible put key words on the wall and teach them!
10. Either print homework tasks for students to put in their organiser, or
write it in for them.
11. When explaining new concepts to dyslexic pupils use visual prompts and
practical demonstrations and examples.
12. When working with dyslexic pupils use highlighters as a means of
pointing out key facts within text 13. Encourage dyslexic pupils to
highlight a difficult part of a word as it allows them to remember the shape
and colour of the word 14. Inform a dyslexic pupil they are going to be
asked a question in advance so that they can prepare their answer.
15. When teaching try and pre-teach new words or set them as homework, prior
to that lesson.
16. Praise the dyslexic pupil and make them feel a valued member of the
class. 
17. Mark the work of a dyslexic pupil separately for content and appearance,
preferably using different coloured highlighters.
18. When marking work for spelling give the number of words spelled
incorrectly as a percentage of the whole.
19. When teaching dyslexic pupils try and use Mind mappingC for revision and
summarising new concepts 20. Make sure hand-writing on the white board is
clear and large enough to see from the back of the classroom. Use a black or
dark blue pen and put a different colour dot at the end of each line.
21. Try and seat a dyslexic pupil with a more confident pupil.
22. To stop a child losing place in text begin each sentence with a
different coloured dot, to making tracking easier 23. Try and mark a
dyslexic pupil's work in green pen as it is a more powerful colour.

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall

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