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Thread: Making the school environment & classroom more accessible to learners & parents with literacy difficulties & Dyslexia.
It’s not possible to fit all the strategies to support literacy difficulties & Dyslexia into one Twitter thread, so I’m going to split up some threads.
It’s not possible to fit all the strategies to support literacy difficulties & Dyslexia into one Twitter thread, so I’m going to split up some threads.
Please remember that you will not be aware of every child this affects, so it is important to make the school & class environment accessible to those with hidden difficulties.
These adjustments make the environment more inclusive & support those who you don’t know about yet.
These adjustments make the environment more inclusive & support those who you don’t know about yet.
1.1. School environment
Make sure the whole school environment is clearly signposted with both visual symbols & words.
Toilets, office, medical room, library, staff room... etc.
The signs should be at children’s level.
Make sure the whole school environment is clearly signposted with both visual symbols & words.
Toilets, office, medical room, library, staff room... etc.
The signs should be at children’s level.
1.2. As adults we do not realise how much we rely on visual symbols to navigate the world until we visit a foreign country where we cannot read the language.
Symbols & words together help everyone- children & visitors to the school- navigate their way round.
Symbols & words together help everyone- children & visitors to the school- navigate their way round.
2.1. Display
If you want children to be able to read display. Then it has to be at children’s eye level.
While we often do not have control over where our display boards are, especially in older buildings. Keep displays for reading low and use high display boards for art etc.
If you want children to be able to read display. Then it has to be at children’s eye level.
While we often do not have control over where our display boards are, especially in older buildings. Keep displays for reading low and use high display boards for art etc.
2.2 Laminating
We laminate signs to keep them sturdy & make them last but they cause reading issues.
Gloss laminate is difficult to read as the sun shines off it & it can cause sensory issues too.
Use matte laminate or no laminate at all- better for the environment.
We laminate signs to keep them sturdy & make them last but they cause reading issues.
Gloss laminate is difficult to read as the sun shines off it & it can cause sensory issues too.
Use matte laminate or no laminate at all- better for the environment.
2.3 Fonts & layout of display
Some fonts are difficult for Dyslexic readers to access.
If writing is too small or too close together then it is also hard to access.
White paper can also be difficult for Dyslexic learners to access text on.
Some fonts are difficult for Dyslexic readers to access.
If writing is too small or too close together then it is also hard to access.
White paper can also be difficult for Dyslexic learners to access text on.
2.3. Continued...
Use an off white or yellow paper for display.
Ensure text is large enough with line spacing.
I prefer Verdana as a Dyslexia accessible font or I use Open Dyslexic when I’m making my own materials on @twinklresources create.
Use an off white or yellow paper for display.
Ensure text is large enough with line spacing.
I prefer Verdana as a Dyslexia accessible font or I use Open Dyslexic when I’m making my own materials on @twinklresources create.
3.1 Classroom resources
Make worksheets, handouts, PowerPoint & class resources Dyslexia accessible
You can find guidance on Dyslexia friendly documents from the British Dyslexia Association @BDAdyslexia here https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide
Make worksheets, handouts, PowerPoint & class resources Dyslexia accessible
You can find guidance on Dyslexia friendly documents from the British Dyslexia Association @BDAdyslexia here https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide
3.2. Clearly label class resources, especially those that you want children to access independently with a visual symbol & word. The symbology helps where reading a word alone is challenging.
Consistency of resource symbol across the whole school is preferable.
Consistency of resource symbol across the whole school is preferable.
4.1. For textbooks & written resources that you do not produce yourself, a coloured overlay can help.
Your SENCO/SFL could could use this pack to work out which colour overlay might help them access text in school.
https://www.crossboweducation.com/visual-stress-assessment-pack
*see an Optician to discuss properly
Your SENCO/SFL could could use this pack to work out which colour overlay might help them access text in school.
https://www.crossboweducation.com/visual-stress-assessment-pack
*see an Optician to discuss properly
4.2. You can also buy Dyslexia friendly books for the school or class library & your sets of novels.
We bought books from Barrington Stoke that use Dyslexia friendly paper, font and sizing. @BarringtonStoke https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
We bought books from Barrington Stoke that use Dyslexia friendly paper, font and sizing. @BarringtonStoke https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
Schools often complain that parents don’t read letters or engage with school.
There are many reasons for this.
Some parents, regardless of social class or economic status, may have literacy issues or be Dyslexic themselves.
School communications can be challenging to read.
There are many reasons for this.
Some parents, regardless of social class or economic status, may have literacy issues or be Dyslexic themselves.
School communications can be challenging to read.
5.1. Before sending out letters or the school newsletter to parents, have someone proofread them to check if they are succinct. Even if you are the Head Teacher!
We know what we want to say, but that doesn’t always translate to others.
A plain English version would be best.
We know what we want to say, but that doesn’t always translate to others.
A plain English version would be best.
5.2. Think about the Dyslexia friendly guidance mentioned above for communications i.e. font, size, layout, colour of paper etc.
This is important for parent communication too. https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide
This is important for parent communication too. https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide
5.3. Alternative communications have really exploded during the Covid pandemic & many schools now have YouTube channels.
Recording the information you put in a letter to YouTube & sending the video link to parents means they won’t have to read what is in the letter.
Recording the information you put in a letter to YouTube & sending the video link to parents means they won’t have to read what is in the letter.
5.4. If you are using video to communicate to parents make sure that you check the captions and edit them appropriately when you upload the video.
That will help the communication be inclusive for deaf & hearing impaired parents/carers.
That will help the communication be inclusive for deaf & hearing impaired parents/carers.
5.5. Parents & carers with literacy & Dyslexia difficulties often had a really hard time at school, so may be reluctant to engage with the school.
They may not want to disclose their literacy difficulties- & they do not have to as it is private to them.
They may not want to disclose their literacy difficulties- & they do not have to as it is private to them.
5.6. If you have a Family Support Worker at the school, they can often support parents with accessing information & can tell the school (with parents permission) which families may benefit from plain English letters, Dyslexia friendly documents or video links.
5.7. But, we can never know all parents needs, so making communication accessible to all is very important.
This includes our EAL families & children, so get the EAL team involved in making their written communications & resources Dyslexia friendly too.
This includes our EAL families & children, so get the EAL team involved in making their written communications & resources Dyslexia friendly too.
5.8. Regardless of whether you are communicating in written or video form, remember to take out acronyms and explain education terminology.
This often confuses parents, particularly if the letter is about SEND where there is lots of education & healthcare terminology.
This often confuses parents, particularly if the letter is about SEND where there is lots of education & healthcare terminology.
6.1. We know that reading at home is vital for children’s literacy development.
Please be mindful of parents’ potential literacy difficulties when talking about the importance of reading to their child at home.
Many feel guilt, shame & upset.
Please be mindful of parents’ potential literacy difficulties when talking about the importance of reading to their child at home.
Many feel guilt, shame & upset.
6.2. Links to audio books can help the child hear stories at home or books being read on YouTube- check copyright before recording yourself reading a book & setting to public.
Homework clubs can help children get support with their reading homework.
Homework clubs can help children get support with their reading homework.
As I said at the start, it is impossible to put all of the different strategies to support children & families with literacy difficulties & Dyslexia into just one Twitter thread.
I have another thread about interventions & another one about classroom support coming.
I have another thread about interventions & another one about classroom support coming.
This thread was about strategies to make the written word in the school environment more accessible to children & families.
Twitter has a post limit for threads that I have reached! So please add everything that works for you as I want to learn new ideas & strategies too!
Twitter has a post limit for threads that I have reached! So please add everything that works for you as I want to learn new ideas & strategies too!
