Part 4 of NPR’s series, “Unlocking Dyslexia.”
Very proud of the Park City School District for supporting a Dyslexia Initiative which includes providing Dyslexia Awareness Training for elementary school staff!
News & Articles
Raising A Child With Dyslexia: 3 Things Parents Can Do
Third installment of NPR’s series on dyslexia this week.
“We invest in the child that we have now. You know, college won’t be an option if they continue to hate school and reject everything that has to do with reading.”
How Science Is Rewiring The Dyslexic Brain
Excellent series by NPR about dyslexia! Today’s audio installment on “How Science is Rewiring the Dyslexic Brain.” Take a few minutes and listen!
Part 1 from a NPR Series, “Unlocking Dyslexia.”
EXCERPT: Since dyslexia is not something you outgrow, I have learned to work with it, and work around it. It’s always there, but it is rarely the focus of my thoughts. That was true through college and graduate school, but when I became an education reporter, it changed.
As I returned to elementary school classrooms and interviewed parents and teachers, dyslexia kept popping up in places I didn’t expect. I saw teachers who were mystified by their students’ struggles and parents whose stamina and empathy were tested.
Dyslexia is so widespread that it forces schools and parents to take action. And yet, it is deeply misunderstood. Even basic questions don’t have easy answers.
Richard Branson Writes Letter to Michigan Teen With Dyslexia
We always enjoy the advice Richard Branson gives younger students!
“Just don’t worry if you find things difficult… remember: school does not define you.”
Winnie Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award
Is there a teacher you are thankful for?
“Nominate a teacher who has been instrumental in helping students with print disabilities. Two teachers will win a paid trip to Learning Ally’s Student Success and Achievement Summit on April 8, 2017, in Denver, Colorado, a $1,500 cash award for them and a $4,500 cash award for their school, plus other exciting prizes.
Parents, students, and educators are eligible to nominate teachers. Special consideration will be given for nominated educators who are in Learning Ally member schools as well as nominated educators who are instrumental in introducing Learning Ally membership to students and parents. Nominations will be accepted until November 30, 2016.”
Homophones: How to Choose Which One?
This is a good article with practical advice on teaching homophones, which are tricky for many students to learn! Teaching the “why” behind the spelling is both interesting & effective.
EXCERPT: Did you know that words that begin with <wr> have to do with twisting? So written language in script is twisted – that is why write is spelled with a <wr>, to tie it to the word family that includes: wrist, wrench, wrangle and wrap. When a student is made aware of the reason behind a spelling, especially a homophonic spelling, they are far more likely to choose the right homophone.
Why Listening to Podcasts Helps Kids Improve Reading Skills
PC READS is always advocating for audio learning!
“The combination of audio and text allowed for reading breaks and helped students learning English as a second language connect the text to the sounds.”
Spotlight on Dyslexia Online Conference
This is an excellent online conference for educators and parents. The conference is December 2nd; however, materials can be assessed through February 2nd. So, even if you are unable to participate on December 2nd, it’s still valuable to sign-up!
Keynote Presentation
Dean Bragonier and Sally Taylor
Family of Strengths: Unlocking Dyslexic Ability
Dyslexia often runs in the family, and that is true for Dean Bragonier (NoticeAbility, Inc), his wife Sally Taylor (Consenses), and Dean’s mother-in-law Carly Simon – all dyslexic. Through family-ties, they found dyslexia brings both struggles and strengths. Dean and Sally want to start an educational revolution focusing on abilities to help students reach their full potential which will benefit society as a whole.
In this keynote presentation, award winning singer/songwriter Carly Simonwill also share a special message.
PC READS on Park City TV
Co-Founders Elissa Aten and Jackie Blake are interviewed about PC READS on our local television station.
A Simple but Powerful Way to Destigmatize Learning Differences
PC READS is proud to have started our youth mentoring group, MIND. Read this article by Kyle Redford to better understand the importance of students being able to meet and ask advice from one another. Our next MIND event is in December – check our website for more information.
EXCERPT: Reflecting on the panel later in the day, a student who had recently been diagnosed with dyslexia announced to his classmates, “I am very grateful for the 8th graders who shared. I had planned to keep my dyslexia secret all year.”
Video: Elijah Ditchendorf, a High School Science Whiz Who Has Dyslexia
This is a wonderful video about Elijah Ditchendorf, the 2016 winner of the National Center for Learning Disabilities’ Anne Ford Scholarship. It should inspire parents, teachers and kids!
Dyslexia Keyboard
Check out this recommendation by Jamie Martin, an AT expert!
PC READS 2016 Fall Newsletter
Ideas to Impact: Your Gifts at Work Dyslexia Initiative (PCEF Monthly Newsletter)
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! Thank you Park City Education Foundation for highlighting the Dyslexia Initiative in your monthly update!
Park City’s Dyslexia Initiative on Park City TV!
PC READS is so excited and proud to be collaborating on the Park City School District Dyslexia Initiative with the Ty & Karen Hall Foundation and the Park City Education Foundation! Thanks to PCTV for inviting PCEF Executive Director, Abby McNulty, and Initiative Director, Julie Hastings, to speak about this wonderful project. And, thank you to Karen Hall and Ty Hallfor their vision and support!
We will provide updates on our Dyslexia Initiative throughout the school year.
The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind | Dean Bragonier | TEDxMarthasVineyard
Well worth 15 minutes of your time to watch this talk by Dean Bragonier! Dean will also be giving the Keynote Presentation during Learning Ally’s Spotlight on Dyslexia online conference in December.
Response to Intervention Falls Short
A short, important article for parents to read about RTI (Response to Intervention). Too often, students are receiving RTI without a long-term plan. Sometimes parents are not even aware that their child is receiving RTI. If you have concerns about your child’s reading, ask the classroom teacher about RTI to learn more.
“Very few states have defined any criteria for moving from RTI into special education. If you want to try RTI first, get a written statement from your school describing the criteria for transitioning from RTI to special education. This should include a timeline of how long RTI will be attempted, a definition of the progress expected, and what objective and measurable standards will be used to measure that progress.”
The Super d! Show
Be sure to check out The Super D! Show with your kids!
“Dyslexiaville truly fills a void that parents like me are seeking for our kids with reading disabilities.”
– Lyn Pollard
Founding Member, Decoding Dyslexia Texas
What One Student Wishes Teachers Knew About Dyslexia
Watch this segment of Good Things Utah featuring Decoding Dyslexia – UT‘s Karee Atkinson and YES! Program‘s Ava speaking about dyslexia. This is good to share with your kids, too!
Reading and Writing the Orton-Gillingham Way: Perfect Together! A One Day Workshop for Educators and Tutors
Can’t attend the 5 day Comprehensive Workshop that IMSE is bringing to SLC in December? Then consider registering for this one-day workshop for educators & tutors on using the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Pilot program at McPolin aims to identify dyslexic students
Exciting news in Park City, UT during Dyslexia Awareness Month! Read about the Dyslexia Initiative pilot program which is bringing Wilson Fundations to one school and Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham to 5 educators. PC READS was instrumental to this project’s development and is very proud to be collaborating with the Park City School District, the Park City Education Foundation and the Ty & Karen Hall Foundation on this important work.
Dyslexia Awareness – 2016 Public Service Announcement
Watch and share this Public Service Announcement made by DD-UT, in conjunction with Reading Horizons! It also features Utah’s YES! Ambassadors!
11 Children’s Books That Help Kids Understand Learning Disabilities
Another good list of books to help young students better understand learning disabilities.
New reading approach is a game changer for Atlanta school
One Atlanta elementary school has decided that ALL teachers should implement the Orton-Gillingham approach:
“The brilliance of the approach is that it’s not a curriculum. It’s knowledge. The teachers hold that knowledge and use it,” said REAP founder Jen Rhett. “It makes all readers stronger, not just those who are struggling.”
Jay Leno’s Advice for My Dyslexic Son
“Over the course of this past year, through conversations like this one and the letters he received, Aidan didn’t discover the secret to success for dyslexics. If anything, he discovered that there was no secret — except persistence, humor, improvisation and grit.”
Be sure to read Aidan’s book, “Looking for Heroes: One Boy, One Year, 100 Letters.” It’s great!
The Rotarian Conversation with Henry Winkler
A wonderful interview from the Rotarian Magazine with “The Fonz” about growing up as an undiagnosed dyslexic and becoming a successful actor & author. PC READS is always recommending his Hank Zipzer book series to families! Thanks, Henry Winkler!
And, thanks again to our local Park City Sunrise Rotary Club for granting PC READS funds towards our website!
How Various Learning and Attention Issues Can Cause Trouble With Spelling
“Learning to spell may be even harder than learning to read for some kids with dyslexia.” Yet, spelling difficulties are not limited to dyslexia and this article also reviews common difficulties due to dysgraphia, ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder and Visual Processing Issues.
The Question I’m Always Asked About My Son’s Dyslexia
Wonderfully written answer to the question that many parents have trouble answering.
Water Polo Players’ Dreams Come True With Naming Of Olympic Team
Another Olympian role model for our kids who build confidence and self-esteem through participation in sports. Kami Craig of the US Water Polo Team:
“Growing up in school, I had to deal with dyslexia and ADHD. Sports (water polo) has always been a safe haven for me. Sports has taken me so far. I feel so fortunate to be in this position.”
