Teach to the Strengths of a Dyslexic Student

Our educational system often forces students to conform academically. Left handed students are often forced to try to be right handed, right brained learners with a creative bent, are encouraged to be more analytical and a visual learner is told to learn to listen better during lectures. The same is true for dyslexic students. Many teachers try to fit a dyslexic learner into the traditional classroom mold. More and more, educators are understanding that learning can be tailor made for each child. A great teacher will understand a student's strengths and teach to their positive attributes. Strengths and teaching tips follow:

1. Creativity: Dyslexic students exhibit creativity. Teachers can incorporate this into the lessons by allowing different assignments. The student can be allowed to submit an art illustration, create a song, or put on a play regarding the lesson. If the subject being taught is the water cycle, a dyslexic student could be allowed to draw the water cycle or they could write a rap about the process.

2. Visual Learners: These students often learn visually. Listening to lectures or writing notes may be traditional teaching methods, but a teacher should incorporate more visual learning into the classroom for dyslexic students. Visual education means can include DVDs, visual graphic organizers, and recording lessons to be watched later. These students also have great memories and will often be able to recite word for word what they watched on TV or in a movie. I once had a dyslexic student who always won the science trivia quizzes I would orally give to fill in extra gaps in the school day. He would always win. When I asked where he learned the information, some of which was difficult, he stated on the Discover channel and on Nova.

3. Spatial Learners: Spatial learners are great at remembering routes, putting puzzles together and working with block designs. Teachers can incorporate puzzles into their classrooms. Subject specific puzzles can be bought through school supply stores or on various online sites. These students also do well with maps. Letting students trace words or numbers in the air is also a great way to take advantage of their spatial awareness.

4. Empathy: Incorporating empathy strengths proves a bit more difficult. I often use this when discussing historical issues. Ask a student how a historical figure would have felt about a decision, or what it would be like to be in their shoes. If the lesson is on War World 2 and the concentration camps, ask the dyslexic student how he thinks the German citizens felt about what was occurring. This teaching technique can be used for the entire class to encourage social awareness.

5. Strong Verbal Skills: Dyslexic students have great verbal abilities. They are often the most verbal students in the classroom. While they have difficulty writing down notes and answers, they can verbally state them. This is one of the easiest accommodations to make for these students. When conducting a test, take the dyslexic student aside and read them the questions, allowing them to answer out loud. This may require removing the student while other students take the test, so they can be tested later. Another suggestion is to have the dyslexic student give an oral book report .

Making these changes for a dyslexic child takes a bit more lesson planning and work on the part of the teacher. An educators main goal is to ensure that all student s are learning, so making accommodations and modification to fit students, should be part of her teaching strategies. By teaching to the strengths of a dyslexic student, they will learn more and feel more confident about themselves, because they are learning. By teaching to their strenghts, both the teacher and her students win.

http://teach.valdosta.edu/whuitt/files/tchdyslexic.pdf

http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/post/2010/07/29/3-Ways-Teachers-Can-Help-Dyslexic-Students-Pt-3-Focus-on-Strengths.aspx

http://forenglishteachers.com/?tag=strengths-of-dyslexic-students