It is difficult to tell a teacher who has poured their heart and soul into an ELA curriculum, that their dyslexic student will not be able to participate.
Recently I meet with teachers of a client who were very excited about a spelling and vocabulary curriculum that would be presented to students in a colorful group-directed manner.
It had all the makings of a fun interactive program. It would allow kids to explore words they hadn’t seen or tried to use before, and to work with a group of peers to learn what these words could mean and why they should be grouped together…..like self discovery of spelling rules and root words.
But for a dyslexic student, this is like asking them to play with characters from a foreign language (Russian letters by an English student) and ask them to sort the words based on meaning and similarity of sound. It just can’t work without some background teaching.
The English language can seem complex and complicated and it has a deep orthography, but there are rules.
Only a small percentage of our words cannot be adequately explained using systematic spelling rules…and the dyslexic student needs to learn those rules.
Each and every one of them. Taught specifically and systematically.
AFTER they are made aware that all these symbols they are playing with are letters with one or more sounds associated with them…over 40 sounds from 26 letters….then they can begin to decode the language.
But not one of the sounds can be taken for granted. Not one of the rules can be assumed to be learned by exposure or repetition. Each rule needs to be taught. Each and every one of them. And practiced and practiced and maybe even written on a “cheat sheet” for reference, until confidence is built and meaning and logic is associated with these spelling rules.
English is a very complex and complicated language. There is no quick fix. But it can been taught, it has been taught and for those wonderful tutors who creatively keep their student’s attention – it will continue to be taught. Because dyslexic students are not stupid – they simply learn differently.
And to those enthusiastic teachers — I know you are trying — parents need to appreciate that. It is difficult for any one person to know and to do everything….for every student who learns differently. Please don’t be discouraged— there are dyslexia consultants and specialists that can help with adaptations…seek them out!
And in the mean time, congratulate yourself for continuing to search for new and engaging curriculum. Your students are definitely worth it!
Dyslexia Education 