If we're connected on social media or you've been reading my blog for a while, you may know my time has been limited over the past couple of years while I'm undertaking my doctoral study. This has sometimes meant I've had to miss a course or conference I'd otherwise have attended due to study commitments… Continue reading Patoss (virtual) conference 2020
Tag: Dyslexia
Matching and sorting
Today's tip can incorporate drawing, cutting and sticking, sorting small-word toys, everyday items and garden finds... Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – simplify as necessary or make it more complex. As well as being a great mutisensory learning experience for dyslexic children or anyone with specififc learning difficulties, this type of… Continue reading Matching and sorting
What’s that sound?
Today's activity can be planned or impromptu. Stop for a moment and listen to the sounds around you. Right now, I can hear the dog's tag jongling as she pads around the kitchen. The fridge is humming. Someone is walking in a bedroom overhead. I'm not sure how many different birds I can make out,… Continue reading What’s that sound?
We’re going on a sound hunt!
For today's offering, an old favourite that works at home or out on a daily walk. Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – simplify as necessary or make it more complex. Older children can cope with more sophisticated language and less visually obvious targets. This helps build comprehension and vocabulary skills as… Continue reading We’re going on a sound hunt!
Word games
It's Wednesday, so we're working on word games in today's daily offering. Playing with alliteration (words starting with the same letter), onset and rime (the first sound and the bit that makes the rhyme) and rhythm (noticing the number of syllables, the length of the word) can help to build skills for spelling and to… Continue reading Word games
Silly stories
Here's today's addition to your toolbox of activities to develop learning at home in ways that are less formal and (I hope) more fun.This game adapts well to participants of all ages. The youngest children or least confident writers can team up with older siblings or parents and practise their communication skills through coherent whispering.… Continue reading Silly stories
Phonics fun
Yes, I did just put those two words together! If we make game of everyday language and build on the fun of early nursery rhymes and picture books, we really can take the pressure off when it comes to discerning sounds for spelling and writing later on. More ideas to help develop children's skills through… Continue reading Phonics fun
Reading
A few ideas to help with reading for revision or assignment research.
Revision
Another blog in the study skills series. Timing It's as important not to overload yourself as it is not to leave thing to the last moment... Start by working for 20 to 50 minutes at a time less and you won't have enough time to get stuck in and learn meaningfully, more and you'll risk… Continue reading Revision
SpLD assessment
I was surprised recently to read a post that made me realise even experienced and active members of our neurodiverse community are not always as fully informed as we might expect. This has prompted me to try to explain the types of screening and assessment someone might encounter when considering investigation of possible dyslexia. What… Continue reading SpLD assessment
Last questions!
I asked recently what sorts of blogposts people would like to see, and one of the responses related to question words. This is a great topic, and I've decided to deal with it in three separate articles. The first relates to spelling and the second to using questions to develop reading and listening comprehension skills.… Continue reading Last questions!
Any questions?
Finding ways to demystify the spelling of question words.
patoss conference 2018
Another week, another dyslexia and SpLD professionals' event! This weekend marked the annual conference for the Professional association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (patoss). It was another early start, this time travelling by train. The morning was glorious; as we travelled to Newport, the huge, pale lemon sun rose into a cloudless,… Continue reading patoss conference 2018
Twelfth day of mathmas
Support ideas for mathematical development for use at home or at school. As with all my infographics, this one can be downloaded for printing. There's a link at the bottom of the page. It’s completely free, but please credit Sarah Gillie - Beacons Unique Originally published to coincide with twelvetide (12 festive days 2017-18) Download… Continue reading Twelfth day of mathmas
9th day tricks
Support ideas for mathematical development for use at home or at school. As with all my infographics, this one can be downloaded for printing. There's a link at the bottom of the page. It’s completely free, but please credit Sarah Gillie - Beacons Unique Originally published to coincide with twelvetide (12 festive days 2017-18) Download… Continue reading 9th day tricks
8th day tricks
Support ideas for mathematical development for use at home or at school. As with all my infographics, this one can be downloaded for printing. There's a link at the bottom of the page. It’s completely free, but please credit Sarah Gillie - Beacons Unique Originally published to coincide with twelvetide (12 festive days 2017-18) Download… Continue reading 8th day tricks
Maths made easy
Originally published to coincide with twelvetide (12 festive days 2017-18) Just a bit of lighthearted support for mathematical development for use at home or at school. As with all my infographics, this one can be downloaded for printing. There's a link at the bottom of the page. It’s completely free, but please credit Sarah Gillie… Continue reading Maths made easy
12 ideas for a 100 square
Originally published to coincide with twelvetide (12 festive days 2017-18) Just a bit of lighthearted support for mathematical development for use at home or at school. There's a downloadable 100 square here. As with all my infographics, this one can be downloaded for printing. There's a link at the bottom of the page. It’s completely… Continue reading 12 ideas for a 100 square
Tools to tackle spelling
Infographic with tips on tackling spelling
When numbers don’t add up
There seem to be two camps for maths: those who can't stand it, and those who can't understand why it's not as easy as 1-2-3...
