Linda Farrell talks about her role as a reading intervention specialist, and what more than 20 years of experience working with kids, teachers, and schools has taught her about the potential of struggling learners — that with the right instruction (and patience) every child can become a better reader.
Learn the benefits of getting your child evaluated, who does the evaluation, what happens during an evaluation, what to do with the results, and more. You can also view a video to get an inside look at a dyslexia evaluation.
About 10 million children have difficulties learning to read. The good news is that more than 90 percent of struggling readers can overcome their difficulties if they receive appropriate treatment at early ages.
Reading expert Linda Farrell works with Aiko on a common letter reversal — confusing the letters ‘b’ and ‘d’. Ms. Farrell coaches Aiko to look at the letters during b/d practice and to look at the words while she works with Aiko to read short vowel words accurately.
An empowering and upbeat show for kids ages 7-12. Reading Rocks! is a buoyant PBS television special that appeals to kids and encourages struggling readers to keep trying. Hosted by Nick Spano, the show uses wacky humor to offer stories of hope to children who are trying to learn to read.
Cultural heritage months and reading celebrations like NEA’s Read Across America fill the calendar year with joyful ways to explore multicultural stories, read together, and learn together.
Assistive technology is any device that supports the independence of a person with a disability. Assistive technology can be something very simple and low-cost such as pencil grips or text highlighters, or something more sophisticated, such as a computer station with speech-to-text tools. Find many more assistive technology resources here: Topics A-Z: Assistive Technology.
Giving kids a summer full of reading and learning. School may be out, but learning is still in. In Adventures in Summer Learning, you’ll meet parents, teachers, and researchers in Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Boston who are discovering the best ways to keep kids engaged with learning during the long summer break — and avoid the “summer slump.”
Explicit instruction in core literacy skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) combined with multisensory supports, are key to helping children with language-based learning disabilities thrive in a virtual learning environment. Try these ideas and online learning tools with your students.
An introduction to the most widely tested models — the simple view of reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope — as well as newer models that seek to expand our understanding of how children become skilled readers.
Does your child need to be evaluated for a learning disability? Learn how to find the best professional, prepare for evaluation, and get the most information from the experience.
There are many teaching methods that can help struggling readers, including children with dyslexia. Learn about the Orton–Gillingham approach and other other methods to supplement your main classroom instruction.
This handbook discusses the characteristics of dyslexia and provides information on valid assessments, effective teaching approaches, self-advocacy ideas, and additional resources. The handbook contains information that will be useful throughout a child’s life, from elementary school through college.
These standards provide an evidence-based framework for course content in teacher training programs and instructional reading programs. Written for general educators and specialists, the standards address the needs of all students – students with dyslexia, students struggling with learning to read, and proficient readers. The standards are not a curriculum; they list critical content knowledge, skills, and abilities — the foundation for good reading instruction. They can also be used to help parents select and advocate for effective teaching methods.
Reading Rockets offers a rich library of classroom strategies, articles, parent tip sheets, FAQs, videos, research briefs and more — providing research-based and best-practice information for educators, parents, and others who work with young readers. Browse by the topics listed below!
Orton–Gillingham was the first teaching approach specifically designed to help struggling readers by explicitly teaching the connections between letters and sounds. Many reading programs include Orton–Gillingham ideas, including a “multisensory” approach, which is considered highly effective for teaching students with dyslexia.
Leaders at the Arlington County (Virginia) NAACP call on the Superintendent of APS Public Schools to adopt evidence-based reading instruction in every district K-3 classroom. Our children’s literacy is a critical civil rights and equity issue. Every child has the right to consistent, high-quality instruction.
Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver are the co-authors of the very popular Hank Zipzer series about a young boy with learning differences who is funny, resourceful, and smart. Henry and Lin have also created a new series for younger kids called Here’s Hank, chronicling Hank’s life as a second grader. In 2019, Henry and Lin launched the first book in a new series, Alien Superstar, a science fiction story that takes a humorous look at what it’s like to be a stranger in a strange land (in this scenario, a Hollywood backlot!).
In this exclusive interview, Henry and Lin talk about how they create a safe, fun space for collaboration, being funny … with a heart, Henry’s tough childhood growing up with (undiagnosed) dyslexia, the joy of school visits, why it’s so important to really listen to kids, and more.
