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December 12, 2019

At a Loss for Words.....

Each school year I seem to have an interest (obsession??) take hold of my brain.  I don't plan to be preoccupied with one subject for the school year ......but when problems/situations/challenges organically arise my brain goes into research mode.  And therefore my monomania for the year begins.....

In September, while attending the Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium, several speakers encouraged audience members to listen to the podcast, "At A Loss for Words" by Emily Hanford from APM Reports.  Well, I did, and it was AMAZING!  If you haven't listened to it....I highly encourage it.  
"At a Loss for Words" highlights how many schools across the country are providing students with poor instruction on learning how to read. (Alarming, right?!?)  The piece further emphasizes the struggles students with dyslexia experience as poor instruction is provided.  I have to admit--as I was listening-- I was blown away (and appalled)!  I just couldn't fathom, how in 2019, there were schools failing kids.

Especially students with dyslexia. 

My heart sank.

Yet, I was determined to soak up as much knowledge on Dyslexia as I could.  I wanted to make sure I was equipping the students I instruct, with the tools they need to be successful.  As a reading specialist, I have always had a passion for reading research and effective literacy instruction and I am blessed that my district supports teachers in their pursuit for knowledge.  This year I have read several books, scoured the internet and attended multiple conferences!  I FOR SURE don't know everything there is to know on the topic,  but I vow to be continually reading, researching and attending conference.

For now here are some great resource to that I have found, and that I hope you find useful too:

International Dyslexia Association  (tons of great resources and fact sheets for parents and teachers).
Mindshift Guide to Understanding Dyslexia (quick read and super informative!)
Understood.org (great tools and articles for parents)
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
Equipped for Reading Success by David Kilpatrick
Made by Dyslexia blog by Kate Griggs 

Info-graphic on structured literacy (the RIGHT way to teach student show to read)!