Dyslexic Student

The kid's the plug, the school the outlet. Sometimes something has to change to get the juices flowing.

Technique: Recognize that all students have strengths and weaknesses. Some students will not be able to accomplish the tasks teachers require. Some are unable to use the learning modalities, such as reading, that are common to most students and nearly all middle school and high school programs. To ignore or deny such facts means student and teacher will fail. Edison left school to succeed. Helen Keller succeeded because a teacher adapted education to meet her individual needs. A small gain, even with concessions, is better than giving up. A ninety yard touchdown is wonderful, but a three yard at a time march down the field still gets the job done.

Procedures:

1. Establish the studentâs functioning level.
   
   
2. If no reading ability is in place proceed as though the student were visually impaired and could not use braille.
   
   
   1. Have students tape the book material. (assigning one chapter to 20 students will get the job done in short order)
      
      
   2. Pair the students for study groups and include the student.
      
      
   3. Provide time and activities that allow review to occur in class.
      
      
   4. Identify student strengths and give assignments which showcase the strengths. Examples: Play guitar and sing about the Oregon Trail; makes pipettes for chemistry lab., skit on labor disputes.
      
      

3. Provide alternative tests with discussion of concepts rather than objective scoring. If time does not permit, ask student teacher, assistant principal, special ed., reading specialist, counselor or honor student to stand as proxy.
   
   
4. If lecturing and note taking is a critical part of the classroom, allow taping of the class so student can review concepts.
   
   
5. Give approval as due for the student learning to adapt and comply with course requirements.
   If the student can read, but not at grade level, provide alternative texts to enhance studentâs comprehension. Example - American History is also taught in fifth grade. Provide the fifth grade copy for home research; Alternative science material - Walpole, B. (1988). 175 Science experiments to amuse and amaze your friends. New York: Random House.
   
   
   Medical concerns: It is vital to have a thorough check of student health, including a vision and hearing screening.