Explicit Phonics Instruction: It's Not Just for Students With Dyslexia

Teacher Kyle Redford has long advocated that dyslexic children need specialized instruction in how to decode words. However, a recent look at reading research called her to question her stance—and now she says all students should learn this way.

Click the link to the Ed Week Teacher article to learn more...

Explicit Phonics Instruction: 

It's Not Just for Students With Dyslexia

Source: Education Week Teacher

Motivational Monday: TED Ed with Luis Perez

TED Ed talks are often known for their ability to inspire, promote new ways of thinking or offer insights into worlds unfamiliar to our own. For me, the TED Ed talk, What losing my vision taught me about accessibility, did all of the above. Luis Pérez delivered this TED ed talk at the 2018 ISTE Conference in Chicago and has been a major topic of conversation since then. It brings to the surface the ever important discussion of accessibility and being able to view the world outside of our lens. Through Luis' own personal experiences lives between two worlds he was able to understand the important of accessibility and how to "be the spark and light the path" for those students we work alongside. 

A little background about Luis Pérez, as stated on CAST.org, "As a technical assistance specialist for the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials, Luis promotes the creation, delivery and use of high quality accessible educational materials and technologies to support equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Prior to joining the AEM Center, Luis was an independent consultant focusing on mobile learning, UDL and assistive technology. He was recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) in 2009 and as a Google in Education Certified Educator in 2014. Luis is President-Elect of the Inclusive Learning Network of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which named him its 2016 Outstanding Inclusive Educator. He also serves on the board of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)."

Motivational Monday

Webinar Wednesday: AT Supports for Reading

Since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, the printed word has been the most fundamental method for conveying information. But what if reading is hard for you or your students? The reasons may be numerous (learning disability, vision disability, English language learner, not yet learned to read), but the result is the same: text, and the information contained in it, is inaccessible. Watch this recorded webinar about hosted by AT Coalition to learn about the variety of tools available to help people track, decode, and comprehend the printed word.

Source: AT Coalition

Motivational Monday

Dyslexia and Visual Processing Issues

In recent months the topic of vision problems and their relation to dyslexia has surfaced time and time again. Most experts believe that dyslexia is a language-based disorder. While vision problems can interfere with the process of learning, studies have shown that vision problems are not the cause of primary dyslexia or learning disabilities. Although unrelated to one another, it is important to keep in mind that it is always possible for a child to have both issues. 

As stated on Understood.org, "Dyslexia and issues with visual perception and processing might seem like they’d go hand in hand. They are very different issues, however. Dyslexia involves trouble with processing language. It causes difficulty with reading, writing and other skills.

Visual processing issues involve trouble with processing information the eyes see. So, if a child with visual processing issues is reading, he may have trouble processing the words he sees on a page. That may be why some people confuse visual processing issues and dyslexia."

The infographic from the Southport CoLab and FCRR helps provide a snapshot of this topic. To learn more about the differences between dyslexia and visual problems be sure to also click on the link here to visit Understood's chart to see a side by side comparison of the similarities and differences between dyslexia and visual processing issues.

Source: Southport CoLab , FCRR , Understood

Webinar Wednesday: Turn Struggling Readers Into Leaders Using Assistive Technology

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT

Presented by Dana Blackaby, Dyslexia Specialist, Nolan Dunn Academy, Burleson, TX

Sponsored by Learning Ally

REGISTER HERE

JOIN THE LIVE SESSION

In this edWebinar, join Dana Blackaby as members of her student-led “tech crew” demonstrate forms of assistive technology and share personal anecdotes describing how it helps them overcome some of their most daunting academic challenges. These students all have IEPs or 504 plans, but there are times when only the use of assistive technology allows them to overcome barriers.

Sometimes the biggest barrier to effectively utilizing assistive technology in the classroom is the teacher, as many feel they need to be experts themselves before allowing students to utilize it. When students are given the chance to showcase their expertise, however, teachers are often convinced to embrace the technology. Many teachers make students the tech experts in their classrooms. The result is that they regularly demonstrate marked improvements in their reading skills, social behavior, confidence, and public speaking, elevating them to leaders in their classrooms and schools.

The forms of assistive technology this group utilizes are Snap & Read, Co-Writer, Google Tools, and Learning Ally. Each allows students to access and master grade-level curricula even though they each have dyslexia. When these students present to their own teachers and administrators, the adults pay attention and immediately recognize just how life-changing these tools are for students.

This edWebinar will be of interest to elementary through middle school teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

About the Presenter

Dana Blackaby is a dyslexia specialist at Nolan Dunn Academy in Texas whose goal is to empower students by instilling confidence, skills, and hope in students with learning differences Dana’s students have finished in the top 10 in two nationwide reading competitions and have been featured in multiple news outlets via newspapers, Twitter, Facebook, and the Dallas–Fort Worth ABC affiliate, WFAA. In addition, several of her students are a part of a student-led tech crew that travels from school to school providing training on assistive technology for teachers and administrators in their district. Dana holds a master’s degree in teaching.

 

REGISTER HEREJOIN THE LIVE SESSION

Autism Day at Six Flags Great Adventure

Custom Education Foundation, Gersh Academy, and their partners are thrilled to once again be transforming the park into a sensory-friendly environment where individuals on the autism spectrum, their educators, friends, and families can enjoy the day together free of worry.

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Private Event for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their Families, Friends and Educators.
• Lower Attendance / No Crowding
• Little to No Lines for Rides
• Special Needs Staff Including Therapists and Interventionists
• Decompression Areas Stocked with Sensory Toys
• Local Autism Organization and Resources for Parents to Connect With
• Custom Map and Sensory Rating System for Families to Use to Plan

This event is being put together by Custom Education Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to changing the lives of individuals with autism. Gersh Academy is proud to return as the title sponsor of the second annual Autism Day event at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/store/tickets?promo_code=gersh
*Season Passes will not be accepted for this event*

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.customeducationfoundation.org/sixflags

Or Visit: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/special-events/special-group-event/autism-day

OTHER LINKS:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AutismDayEvents

Light It Up Blue - Autism Acceptance Month

Wear something blue on April 2nd in support of understanding and acceptance for people with autism. Let’s light it up blue!