Professional Development

Educators, desperate to help their struggling readers

Often search publications and websites for reading instruction and lesson ideas. During the past 20 years, reading has been one of the most researched topics in brain study, and yet, transferring information about how students learn to read into classroom practice has been a challenge. A structured, multi-sensory, systematic approach—including explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, and syllabication—benefits all readers and is absolutely essential for those who struggle to read.

Through its professional development programs, the Dyslexia Resource Center shares with educators a sequential, explicit approach that makes the structure of our language understandable. Taught by trained Orton-Gillingham educators, workshops can be customized to your school’s needs. Topics include:

Phonological and Phonemic Awareness

What is phonological awareness? And how is it different from phonemic awareness? Research shows that phonemic awareness, a skill that should develop as the end goal of phonological awareness, may be the key to preventing and correcting reading difficulties. Educators will learn about the progression of the phonological continuum and particularly how phonemic awareness can be taught.

Decoding

Systematic phonics instruction is important, but phonics alone is not enough. Students should be able to identify syllable types, which affect the pronunciation of vowels. Teachers will learn how to teach these skills in addition to syllable division patterns, vowel teams, and non-phonetic letter “families.”

The Nature and Needs of Students with Dyslexia

MRIs show that wiring in the brains of students with dyslexia differs from that found in a typically developing reader. Systematic instruction, however, can re-wire the brain, enabling these students to overcome deficits and achieve reading proficiency. Instructors help educators understand the differences and address the needs of as many of 20% of our students.

Encoding & Spelling Patterns

Even good readers can find spelling to be a challenge. Teaching spelling patterns based on syllable and vowel types and the position of a vowel team within a word gives students a logical way to discern proper spellings. In addition the workshop covers the double, drop e, and change y rules.

Morphology

Explicitly teaching suffixes, prefixes, base words, roots, and connectors helps students to understand how to put word parts together, expand vocabulary, and use spelling patterns.