Today I found a very useful document from Oxfordshire's LEA. This simple flyer gives lots of the words that teachers and assessors like myself often use, assuming that everyone knows what we are talking about!      Hopefully this should clear up some confusions. 

Never hesitate to ask what someone is talking about - sometimes we need reminding that we've been at this so long we forget we've started speaking in gobbledygook. 

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/childreneducationandfamilies/educationandlearning/specialeducationalneeds/supportforparents/parentguides/parentsguideedspeak.pdf

oxfordshire.gov.uk

Do you have good ideas and strategies??

if you feel you could contribute a post to this blog to help others manage their SpLD please contact us at :
DRToxfordclinic@gmail.com 

Something Simple

Sometimes the strategies that we use don't have to be complicated.

Homework is often performed at the kitchen table. Parents can help, motivate and cook dinner at the same time.

However, the kitchen is often the busiest room in the house and can be chaotic, especially with a large family. This can be hugely distracting and turn a homework which should take only 10 minutes into an activity which lasts all evening - much to everyone's frustration.

One idea, especially if a working area isn't available, is to simply turn the student around so that they are facing the wall. Maybe even noise counseling headphones. Reducing the family chaos and distraction is the perfect solution but the next best thing is to train them to  'ignore'. Great training for shutting out a classroom and focusing.

picture from todaysparentsblog.com

Learning a language

For those of you struggling to get to grips with a second language here is an app suggestion that might help. 

Duolingo 

It is a free app which uses multi sensory techniques to guide you through a huge range of vocabulary and grammar exercises, before building to translation skills.   The reason the app is free is because it is being used to translate the internet !!

I can't believe it'll be free for long so download :). I can vouch for the French and German settings but also Spanish and others. 

Learning a second language makes our metropolitan world a little smaller and is a life skill that helps you make friends all over the world.  

Summer Reading Challange

Did you do the summer reading challenge ?    How many books did you read and more than anything what was your favourite  ???? Please share the name of the best book you read this summer 

Found on teacherspayteachers.com

Chevron Design Writing Resource

Here is a few ideas from Hallco.org.  I agree that these are all good ways to pick a good one but I think number three is the most important  - It should be something you ENJOY!!!

Did everyone do the summer reading challenge ?
what was your favorite book you read over the summer holiday?

Hi

I have realised I have been neglecting our blog terribly (bad Anna) . The DRT facebook group has been receiving our attention as Lilly has been doing such a fantastic job. However I shall try and make sure that this updates a little more often. Do go check out our page there in the mean time.

This is another site which has some interesting ideas too
Great Tips for Helping Dyslexics! 
www.DyslexiaGames.com


I hope everyone is feeling excited for the return to school this week

Anna x