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There are many areas of teaching I wouldn’t have a clue on how to add information or training to a teacher – or even comment on.
However, there is one area that I have seen struggles, where most teachers are not experiencing enough progress: How to teach a visual learner to become a reader – a competent reader?
Have you as a teacher or tutor ever wondered what to do with students who cannot learn to read, no matter what you have tried in the past?
Often the differentiation is seen between slow and fast learners and teachers are trying to support both these groups. Then again, most dyslexic students would still fall under the category of ‘slow learners’, even if they are very smart and have a quick mind that takes in more information than most neurotypical children do. Supporting slow readers unfortunately still doesn’t imply a different way to read. Still most schools use a phonics-based approach of some kind.
Teaching more intensely won’t do them justice either, especially if the information is still delivered in the same fashion the auditory children are learning.
High quality integrated programs are first and foremost focused on the ultimate outcome, that of student learning.
Two key features are regarded as necessary for the development of high quality teachers: critical thinking with strong analytical abilities and flexibility to creatively and innovatively deliver a complex curriculum. In other words, a whole brain approach to be able to teach in ways which maximise learning outcomes for all students.
It is a big ask of our teachers to provide an education that helps all children to have access to an enriching education to enable them to lead decent and rewarding lives.
Literacy is one aspect of life where a big social gap opens between readers and non-readers.
There is much more to literacy than reading.
Most adults or teenagers I have seen read quite well; however, they choose not to read, as it’s laboursome, time-consuming, incomprehensive until the words have been repeated several times and the lack of reading doesn’t help their use of vocabulary, their spelling and writing. Even writing an email would take them much longer than it should and they are double-guessing grammar and spelling. On the other hand they are often competent and creative problem solvers with the kind of mindset that is required to thrive it today’s fast-evolving world.
What does the 5 Day Challenge Entail?
With the upcoming Five Day Challenge I am aiming to help more teachers and tutors to have more impact on the lives of these children, teenagers or adults to effectively help them to become fluent readers, who only read once and fully comprehend the material.
After the assessment, teachers will get to practice on a student to add laser-sharp focus, reduce the stress levels, add full comprehension and a different way of remembering and reading. It will need more practice – of course – to get perfect, but in five days there will be enough progress to add the motivation to continue and completely correct dyslexia.
The Learn to Read in Five Days Series, where the challenge is based on, is a well-structured integrated program that reflects effective connections between theory and practice.
If you have ever wanted to really help someone with literacy, I challenge you to join me on this journey.
When? Monday, 17 May 2021 to Friday, 25 May 2021, daily at 5.30 pm
How to join? Connect with us at the Learn to Read – Teachers 5 Day Challenge Private Facebook Group. We’ll keep you updated until we start on 17 May.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Barbara