Pick up a good book during the holidays!

This was one school's way of encouraging their kids to keep on reading!

Un-sticking - strategies to help children with dyslexic type learning needs get over hurdles

Some children, no matter what methods their teachers try, find it incredibly hard to grasp the concept of breaking down words into parts. This can make the whole process of reading and spelling frustrating and demoralising for both student and teacher. 

Sometimes, no matter what, children get "stuck". They cannot seem to get past one of the first hurdles of reading and spelling - using onset (the first sound/letter in a word) and rime (the remaining letters that make up the final sound) to break down and build words. 

Sometimes something as simple as breaking down "cat" into "c" / "at" is too hard. For some children the letter shapes and letter sound correspondences do not come easily. So what do we do when a child that is on a par with their peers in many areas simply cannot get past this sticking point?

A strategy that I have been using with some of my students in this position is something called "The Trans-Atlantic Order of Sounds". This is an idea that I picked up recently from a Neil Mackay (UK Dyslexia expert) workshop. 

It is a strategy that I have introduced into my one on one Learning Support sessions across the age ranges. It is working really well to "un-stick" students whose confidence is at rock bottom around their reading and spelling skills.

I have put the grid (see below) together myself from the brief notes I took from the workshop and I think this is the general gist of the concept (click on grid to make it larger).

  The grid is made up of 7 onsets, 5 initial blends and 22 rimes. By putting letters together from the left column and top row we make simple words e.g p + it = pit.

By working through the grid (one colour coded column at a time) a child can gradually build up a bank of 94 words that they can confidently read and spell. 

The words are not taught in isolation but many different multi-sensory strategies are used in Learning Support sessions to help the child make sense of letter sounds, word structure and word meaning. 

I have so far only concentrated on one colour coded column over two or three thirty minute support sessions. For some students the Trans-Atlantic Order of Sounds strategy makes up a unit of work for a whole term during Learning Support sessions and can be extended into classroom programmes.

Although the words themselves are no more than 2,3,4 or 5 letters in length there has been plenty of scope to extend older students. Some words such as k + in = kin and 

sk + it = skit have provided many opportunities for a child to learn new vocabulary and to shine orally when using these newly discovered words in verbal sentence construction.

Here are some examples of strategies used around this concept to begin the process of "un-sticking".

Here the onset letter or blend is made with cards and the rime written on a whiteboard. A sentence is discussed and written with the teacher writing the majority and the student adding the relevant word and a supporting illustration.

Here letters are "hung" out on a washing line to create the word.

Here letter cards are attached to musical instruments. The different notes or sounds correspond to onsets and rimes. The children close their eyes and try to match an instrument sound to a letter sound. Playing the two sounds together is a kinaestheic way to bring the sounds together to create the word and commit the onset and rime patterns to memory.

The word was used here in conjunction with a picture part made from clay. This is so the child can match the a visual image to a word.

After using several multi-sensory methods the child steadily builds up confidence to read and spell the words that they are learning. Children often begin to use the process to add more words that do not appear on the list of 94 words (such as "thin" and "win" to the "in" column) because they are starting to make sense of the onset/rime concept.

 

Making the words from objects that are fun to manipulate such as buttons works really well.

Making the onset and rime words from plasticine (making sure the onset is one colour and the rime is another) and adding an illustration to explain the meaning of the word also works very well. 

These resources made with a child in one session can easily be used with a younger child in a subsequent session that may find making them too difficult.

Finally, taking quick snapshots like these during the sessions and compiling a scrapbook is a fantastic way of revisiting words and concepts and really gives the child a sense of achievement over time.

I use many different strategies and concepts in my Learning Support sessions but the Trans-Atlantic Order of Sounds is proving an effective way to "un-stick" those children who are not responding to many other methods.

Alternative ways to present information

Using technology to present information in alternative ways is a fantastic way to make creating reports fun for all. It is especially good for children who learn most effectively when using visuals.

Xtra Normal is an online tool for making text visual by making your own movie. It allows you to create characters to say what you want to convey.

Click here to see room 15's movies about natural disasters. Great work!

Magic e

This week in the Learning Den we will be looking at the role that the magic e plays when we spell a word. Click here to have a go at making some magic e words.

Photo Slide Show in the Main Entrance...

 Check out the slide show on the TV in the Main Entrance. It has examples of some of the fantastic visual and multi-sensory teaching and learning that has been taking place in our classrooms lately...

Using Vokis as a tool for visual learners

A Voki is simply a talking voice character. These animated characters or avatars enable users to express themselves on a computer with a voice but as a talking character.

You can customize your Voki to look like you or take on the identity of lots of other types of characters, animals, monsters, cartoon characters etc. There are also all sorts of different backgrounds and voices for every occasion!

You can even have your Voki speak with your own voice by adding your voice with a microphone, upload, or by phone.


Teachers are discovering some of the unique roles these speaking avatars can play in education particularly for those children that learn in a more visual way.

A Voki can add a more "human" element to a lesson and even introduce a "team teaching" dimension to the classroom. It is especially useful for those of us who may not be all that great with video taping or vodcasting.

Teachers can use a voki avatar to introduce an idea, topic or lesson. It can also be used to aid in instructing those who need reinforcement of an idea or repetition of instructions . A Voki is also a great way to get shy students involved or to share comments with students in other countries.

Drama - making literature accessible to all

Take a look at room 14's fantastic rendition of  Act 4, Scene 1 from Shakespeare's Macbeth:- http://muritairoom14.blogspot.com/2010/08/macbeth.html, I'm sure you will recognise it!
Well done room 14 and Mrs Allen, what a great way to make poetry and reading out loud accessible and enjoyable for all!

Sound of the Week - "er"

This week in The Learning Den we have been looking at the "er" spelling pattern. We looked at three different ways to make the sound.

 Then we made models of words using plasticine to help us remember which sound pattern to use. Can you read the words and pick out what spelling pattern is making the "er" sound? Have a go at word modeling at home, it's great fun!

Letters are Everywhere! The Alphabet in September

With a pencil in our hand we can let our imagination run wild but who'd have thought that you could do this? (click on the picture to make it bigger)

All of these alphabet letters have been carved out of the lead points of these pencils...amazing!  
Thanks to the parent reader of The Learning Den blog who sent these images in.
Look at these fantastic lead sculptures too:-

These incredible sculptures are by an artist called Dalton Ghetti and you can see some more of his work here:-     http://koikoikoi.com/2010/08/micro-sculptures-by-dalton-ghetti/                  

Colin Thompson - An Inspiration..

Here at Muritai School we are in the midst of preparing for our bi-annual school production. This production is based on a book by author and illustrator Colin Thompson called "The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley."

I am fairly familiar with Colin Thompson's work as I have used quite a few of his amazing illustrations in years gone by as a starting point for story writing. Our production theme has provided me with a great opportunity to reacquaint myself with his work. I have been reminded what an inspiration his work can be to children who struggle with reading and writing.

This week in The Learning Den we have had seven of Colin's books on display. I haven't purposely included them in my programme but have left them out as an experiment. The books made their own way in to our sessions almost immediately as the children were instantly drawn to the fantastic cover illustrations on entering the room.

These books have certainly hooked some of the more reluctant book enthusiasts this week and have been a great way of showing the children that finding an author you like is sometimes like discovering gold!

A large proportion of the children that came to the Learning Den this week asked if we could look at a book. I made no demand on them to read to me. Initially we discussed the front cover and then scanned a couple of pages for words that matched the "ar" spelling pattern that we have been concentrating on this week. We linked the book to the author and talked a little about the school production and then I closed the book. All the children asked if we could continue reading the book. At this point I asked if they wanted to read or to be read to and most asked if we could share the reading.

Colin's stories are thought provoking and humorous and suitable for a wide age range (even adults will love them). His books will still engage children who can read very little as they will find the illustrations fascinating. Also, there is a tiny picture of 'Max the dog' to spot within many of the illustrations, a fantastic way to focus those who struggle to concentrate.

If you haven't experienced any of Colin's wonderful work before, check out his website, it's well worth a visit:-http://www.colinthompson.com/.

Fantastic free software!

NaturalReader is a professional text to speech program that converts any written text into spoken words. In other words, it allows you to listen to text instead of reading the screen!

It's an easy to use a text-to-speech program. Just one click, and your computer speaks any text aloud in a clear, natural sounding voice. All you do is, press Control F9, and your computer reads any selected text.

Check it out at:- 

http://www.naturalreaders.com/download.htm

One Word can spark reluctant writers

Free association writing is one way to spark reluctant students who get bogged down in the process of needing to write exactly what the teacher expects them to write. This trepidation often stops young writers from even starting a piece. One Word is a website that might offer  interesting ways to get kids writing without worrying about their writing being marked or even being read by anyone, if that is their wish. One Word gives you a single word — potato, for example — and provides you with a visual timer to write whatever comes to your mind in 60 seconds.

The use of an unexpected word with no real context, and a blank space with no marking pressure, might lead to some interesting stories, poems and other compositions. The site then gives you the option of submitting your writing to its archives. It also provides a phone number to call and read your writing — One Word collects the audio submissions and creates a podcast of submissions.

Letters are Everywhere - The Alphabet in August

Why not have a go at creating your own piece of alphabet artwork?

Cut out some letters from newspapers or magazines and see if you can create something fantastic!

Letters are Everywhere! - The Alphabet in July

See if you can spot any letters when you eat your tea tonight but don't get told off for playing with your food!

Fantastic!

This  is amazing!
Why not go and grab yourself a brilliant picture book right now and get lost in the story. You are NEVER too old for a picture book!

Using kinaesthetic methods to support phonics

Last week in The Learning Den we were looking at the "ou" sound and how it can be made two ways :- 

1. ow as in cow          

2. ou as in out

To help us remember some of the words with these patterns we made models using plasticine. We used a card with a picture on, such as a snake then we chose a word from the ou/ow box such as ground and used both of these words to make a sentence. Then we made a model to help us keep a picture in our heads that went with our ou/ow words. It was great fun!

Here are some photos of our fabulous models. Can you spot the ou/ow words?

Using a thought provoking photograph as a starting point..

Many children who find reading and writing a struggle are visual learners. Most people respond better to a task if it has an accompanying image that they can relate an idea to. 
I came across this fantastic photograph the other day when reading an article about global warming and thought the possibilities for a differentiated learning task in the classroom could be endless!

Just hand out copies of the photograph in the middle of a large sheet of paper with the caption "could this ever really happen?" using question prompts such as how?, when? where? why? etc... 
Ask the children to brainstorm in small groups for ten minutes with a more able child writing ideas down and others sketching ideas. 

See where it takes you....

Dyslexia-friendly Books

Here is a great selection of titles specifically written to help dyslexic readers. The age ranges shown -  9 to 12 and 12+ - represent the interest age applicable for the titles, whilst the reading age for each title ranges between 6 and 8 years.


Books for 9 - 12 year olds

Hostage: 4u2read
Malorie Blackman
Malorie Blackman is one of the UK’s top contemporary children’s authors and this book, even though it’s only 64 pages long is utterly gripping. The protagonist, Angela has been kidnapped. She’s blindfolded and alone and fears for her life but...

Zombie!
Tommy Donbavand
Fast-paced and fun it will have you quaking in your boots quicker than you can say knife.  Chaos ensues when Jake discovers that a zombie likes to party and my goodness this one seriously likes to party.  Perfect for reluctant...

The Hat Trick
Terry Deary
Written by one of the most successful and readable writers for children, Terry Deary has once again delivered an excellent short read – just 64 pages – for children aged 8-12 but whose reading age is a little less....

Geronimo
Tanya Landman
This is a fascinating short book detailing an important aspect of American History - that of the native American people, the Apaches.  Geromino was a famous Apache who went on fighting the US government and the new settlers even when...

Fire Mask
Franzeska G. Ewart
An incredibly readable thriller that packs a real punch despite it running only to 64 pages. Josh and a long-standing best friend are now sworn enemies and when the ex-best friend plays a nasty trick on him he swears revenge....

The Robbers
Josh Lacey
Peter is minding his own business depositing his savings in a bank when there’s a ‘hold-up’.  Can Peter’s quick thinking surprise and overcome the robbers in order to save his and other people’s money.  Edge of your seat writing for...

Living with Vampires
Jeremy Strong
Family problems of an unusual kind make life complicated for Kevin. With vampires for parents, he does his best to control them but things can’t help getting out of hand… Blood is their favourite drink so it isn’t surprising that...

Ghost for Sale
Terry Deary
Terry Deary, one of the best known children’s authors writing today has written a scary yet funny short novel that is dyslexia friendly.  9+ year olds will find the storyline terrific yet the reading age for it is a little...

Cliff Edge
Jane A C West
With black and white illustrations interspersed in the text, this is a frightening adventure that calls upon the skills and nerve of a young boy climber to save his friend with no ropes and no help from anyone else.  It’s...

The Number 7 Shirt
Alan Gibbons
Perfect for reluctant or struggling readers, particularly boys with a reading age of 8+ but with an interest age of 8-12. This is an action-packed story involving a boy who dreams of being a football pro. Because fiction and non-fiction...

Young Merlin
Tony Bradman
Powerfully but simply written this is the dramatic story of the boyhood of the young Merlin. Even as a boy Merlin knows he is different: he has special magical powers. What he doesn’t know is they are going to put...

The Story of Matthew Buzzington
Andy Stanton
The bestselling creator of Mr Gum turns his hand to a wildly fanciful story about a boy with a very unusual power; he can turn himself into a fly. Matthew Buzzington’s adventures including getting locked into school and dealing with...

The Stepsisters' Story
Kaye Umansky
A romping comedy of catastrophes, this version of the Cinderella story comes straight from the mouths of the step sisters. They make no apology for their terrible behaviour as they greedily pursue their own ends while doing down their step...

Stat Man
Alan Durant
A footballing story with a difference sees Arnie, knowledge about the game but not so good at playing it, suddenly given the chance to prove his skills on the field as well as off. Arnie’s nickname comes from his amazing...

Snow Dogs
J A C West
A thrilling story of courage and survival set in the extreme cold of Alaska. Zeb is determined to win the Iditarod, a terrifyingly challenging dog sled race covering 674 miles. Everyone says that Zeb is too young to enter but...

Icefall
John Townsend
Danger surrounds Barney on all sides in this quick-fire thriller set on the slopes of a ski resort. When Barney is woken in the night by voices outside his room in the ski resort, he knows something suspicious is going...

Books for 12+ readers

Twisting the Truth
Judy Waite
A fantastic new thriller featuring a strong female main character – perfect for teenage girls. When Elsa’s friend goes missing from school someone is arrested who may be innocent and it’s up to Elsa to find out who really abducted...

The Ghost of Shadow Vale
Jonathan Stroud
This thrilling Icelandic myth published by Barrington Stoke in their RELOADED series that introduces readers to new lands and cultures in an accessible way features some terrific characters that will bring to life a world of myth and legend. Thorhall is...

The Five Lords of Pain: Book 1 The Lord of the Mountain
James Lovegrove
This is a brand new series from Barrington Stoke with huge appeal to fans of manga, martial arts and magic and particularly suitable for reluctant or struggling readers of 9 or 10+ as the books are real page-turners and best...

Sink the Tirpitz
Jim Eldridge
A real story in history is brought to life brilliantly for the seriously struggling reader. In addition, it is also very dyslexia friendly as it’s printed on cream paper, as all Barrington Stoke titles are, with plenty of space between...

Lewis Hamilton
Andy Croft
Formula 1 is one of the most popular global sports with boys and girls all over the world eager to emulate their star.  For many children, however, until Lewis Hamilton became F1 World Champion this sport was seen by some...

Crazy Creatures
Gill Arbuthnott
A true story that’s stranger than fiction. Find out about the bird that fights by being sick on you, the frog that can kill 1,500 people, the Bee Duvet of Death, plus many more fabulous facts, in this laugh-out-loud collection...

The Return of Johnny Kemp
Keith Gray
A really gripping thriller for teenage boys.  Short and fast-paced, it’s the story of Johnny Kemp, a boy that no one is prepared to mess with, until that is, Dan manages to get him excluded from school.  But now he’s...

The Evil Eye
Oisin Mcgann
With an interest age of 10+ but with a reading age a little younger, this incredibly dyslexia friendly action-packed retelling of an Irish myth will have wide appeal.   Balor has a terrifying eye of destruction that incinerates all in his...

Liar
Pete Johnson
The author Pete Johnson gleaned his inspiration for this title from a memory back from his school days when a good mate of his said he was to blame for something he didn’t do.  It messed up their friendship.  In...

Diary of an (Un)teenager
Pete Johnson
Spencer is determined that he’ll stay exactly as he is when he turns 13. As he tells his diary, he wants nothing to do with the clothes, kit and attitudes that other teenagers adopt. But when his friend Zac turns...

Two Words
Tanya Landman
Reluctant or struggling readers with a reading age of around 7 but an interest age of 12+ will thoroughly enjoy this novel.  A tense story of how life can change from one moment to the next. Best friends Matt and...

Hide and Seek
Cathy Macphail
Chilling from start to finish this is a brilliant, fast moving and spooky story. When new girl Destiny arrives at school she asks if it is really haunted… Everyone knows it isn’t but tricking Destiny seems like a bit of...

Freerunner
James Lovegrove
An incredibly fast-paced short thriller about a boy called Taj who is the top ‘freerunner’ around but can he use his skills successfully to stop a gangland hit involving his father. Tense and well-written teens will love it. 

The Fix
Sophie Mckenzie
A tense novel about finding the special kind of courage needed to do the right thing in difficult circumstances. Blake is great footballer; playing football is all he wants to do but, with money worries at home, he knows he...

Ghosting
Keith Gray
A chilling and brilliant horror story, Ghosting tells how the make-believe of contacting the spirit world becomes horribly real for Sandy and her brother Nat. Taught by their Mum how to ‘talk’ to the dead, Nat and Sandy put on...

Flash Flood
Andy Croft
High drama in this simply written but gripping watery adventure. Bored on a wet holiday, Jaz and Toni set out to find some fun in the nearest town. But they don’t realise how quickly the river is rising. Soon they...