It's not Dyslexia but it is a Reading Problem

I actually came across this problem in my classroom.  I had a student who could read anything.  He enjoyed reading aloud in class. But he could not understand or comprehend what he was reading.

I cam across this article in the Vanderbilt Magazine, Summer 2013, "Maybe It's Not Dyslexia".  Peabody College became part of Vanderbilt University and are know for their teaching program. Usually when a student has trouble reading we call it Dyslexia. Most people think of dyslexia as a problem when a student thinks b's are d's or whey have trouble sounding out words.

But when a student reads perfectly and then flunks the comprehension test, teachers feel  like they are not trying.  The true problem is "Specific Reading Comprehension Deficits, or S-RCD.  Usually this problem is not discovered until the student is in third or fourth grade.  The study showed that up to three to ten percent of children can't understand what they are reading.

This study has show that different parts of the brain are not working perfectly with dyslexia and S-RCD.

Unfortunately the article does not say how to help those with S-RCD.

School Starts Tuesday

San Diego Unified might have their act together this year. I received no calls about long term subbing for the first month of school. Who knows I might be called yet.

While cleaning out my library I found materials another teacher passed on to me.  I am so excited.  All summer I have been helping a soon to be 3rd grader on how to improve his reading.  I have been working on phonics and sight words.  It was an entire package of Phonics for Teachers and Parents by Phyllis E. Fischer.  I even have a 3.5 disk and a tape with it.  Now I need to find someone who can red the disk and put it on a CD for me.

I still have too many books to organize.  Do I organize by reading ability or by topic?  I think I should have a librarian friend come over and give me some help.

I did find an interesting article called "Researchers hoping to overhaul 'special ed'.   Kansas University will be doing some research in the area.  Wayne Sailor feels that special programs are like silos.  They are each operating independently of each other:  The gate or honor program, English as a Second Language program, special education, etc.  The article mentions one in California and I think it is probably San Diego Unified or some Charter schools.{ LJWorld. com August 25, 2013}

Some schools have already started but just a reminder, a teacher can offer hope to a student which sometimes can be their greatest gift.

Students with Dyslexia

I found this video today and want to share it in my blog.  It was made in Australia. ADA Teens and Dyslexia 2001.wmc   Video

I also use A Workbook for Dyslexica - Improve Reading & Writing Skills by Cheryl Orlassino.

As a teacher, we have to remember some students can not read well.  But we can't let their reading disability determine what they can learn.  Take the extra time to use books on cd, tapes, audio books, computer programs that read out loud.  Find out out the way the student learns best and try to adapt your material for those students.

Eventually they will learn to read and write.  It may take them longer but don't hold back their absorption of material.  But do find out what makes your student excited and then offer books on that subject for them to practice reading.

Of course watching this TEDx talk also sums up what I am trying to say.

Overcoming Dyslexia, Finding Passion - Piper Otterbein at TEDxYouth

Summer Vacation For Teachers

Most teachers enjoy a few weeks in the summer but in reality they are either recharging their batteries to  make through another year of teaching or gather material to prepare for the next year of teaching.  Maybe I should change that to most of the good teachers.

This blog is to motivate teachers to improve their teaching by sharing: information about technology,   students learning behaviors, discipline tricks, how to teach to the new common core.  Each week I will update with some new material I have learned.

Todays tip. - Check out MobyMax!  This is a program set up to help teachers by finding out what your students know and them giving you material so they can learn it.  They make online learning fun.  What is great is that it can suplement what you are doing in the classroom.  You do not need to reinvent the wheel.  I am currently tutoring a student over the summer and am using the program.  So I will offer feedback as I experience the program.  I am just trying the free part for now and plan to purchase it to make it available to all of my students.   It offers materials for K-8 in math, language, vocabulary and reading.  They plan to add writing to their plan soon.  So check it out this summer!