At the end of class one afternoon, a tutor mentioned they suspected the student they worked with had dyslexia and did I have any tips? I didn’t, so I researched strategies for teachers. During tutor training, remember being startled that 66% of Cleveland’s population is functionally illiterate? You may be similarly startled by this statistic I learned: 15-20% of the population as a whole have some symptoms of dyslexia. In a busy Seeds of Literacy classroom, that easily means at least one or two attendees may struggle with dyslexia.
Some of our students are very transparent about their learning challenges including dyslexia. Some are reticent to share their learning difficulties. Whether you know or suspect your student has dyslexia, these tips from the International Dyslexia Association will help you have a productive tutoring session in the classroom.
Use explicit teaching procedures. (Recall the “Method That Works:” I do, I do with your help, you do with my help, you do.)
Repeat directions.
Offer to write or encourage the student to write notes to keep.
Use step-by-step instruction.
Simultaneously combine verbal and visual information.
Highlight key points or words.
Use mnemonic instruction.
These tips will benefit any student, but are especially helpful for student switch dyslexia. For a peek into what it’s like to be dyslexic, watch this
Dyslexia Simulation.
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