A World of Books: Exploring Literacy Vol.1 Issue 1

Exploring Literacy

TheReadingBrain

DyslexiaandPoetry

ReadingwithAutism

PhonicsandSight words

DropEverythingand Read(DEAR)

APRIL-JULY2023 VOL:1

A Note from our founder Welcometothe literacyera

elcome to the first edition of 'Exploring Literacy'!

I’m excited to tell you what A World of Books (AWB) has been up to in the recent months as we prepare to take our organisation to a new level The introduction of this publication is just part of what is happening and I want to assure your that it doesn’t mean we are moving away from our tutoring services or changing our original goal of giving the gift of reading

Founded in 2021, this organisation has always been and will continue to be committed to exploring literacy and making a difference in the lives of our students Our new direction intends to concrete this com educators, and the wider public abo become a great reader, while building a

Dedicated to helping struggling reader sees us partnering with other profes literacy as a bridge from misery to Dyslexia, a UK-based Dyslexia Awarenes and hosted our 'Understanding Dyslexi This year we also joined UNICEF's Ch Forgotten Child' at their January Lunc direction we intend to pave as we focus

As we enter this dynamic era, we invit Share your knowledge, your journey, literacy community dedicated to giving

The literacy revolution is here!

Kyna Rampersad

KynaRampersad Founder

Howdoesthe brainread INFORMATION

SESSION REVIEW

UNDERSTANDING THE READING BRAIN

One of the key brain regions involved in reading is the visual cortex, which processes information from the eyes and helps us recognise written words. The visual cortex is connected to the language regions of the brain, such as the Broca's and Wernicke's areas, which are responsible for speech production and comprehension, respectively.

"When we learn to read, we start by recognising individual letters and their corresponding sounds. This involves activating the phonological processing system"

eadingisnotanaturalprocess,asourbrain wasnotcreatedtoread Instead,wemustlearnthe processofreading

OurAprilInformationSessionexploredtheworldof thebrainandexaminedhowitlearnstoread.

Learningtoreadinvolvesseveralcognitiveprocesses thatarelocatedindifferentareasofthebrain When webeginlearningtoread,ourbrainundergoesa processofneuralplasticity,whichinvolveschangesin theconnectionsbetweenneuronsasweacquirenew knowledgeandskills

When we learn to read, we start by recognising individual letters and their corresponding sounds This involves activating the phonological processing system, which is located in the left hemisphere of the brain. As we become more proficient readers, we begin to recognise whole words and use context to understand their meanings This process involves activating the semantic processing system, which is also located in the left hemisphere

Reading also involves the coordination of eye movements and attention, which are controlled by the frontal lobes of the brain.Theseregionsworktogethertoallow ustoscantextandfocusonspecificwords orphrases

Overall, learning to read involves a complex interplay between various cognitive processes and brain regions As we acquire new reading skills, our brain undergoes changes that allow us to become more efficient and proficient readers

Teachingthe braintoread

UNDERSTANDING THE READING BRAIN

Teaching the brain to read involves providing opportunities for the brain to learn and practice the necessary cognitive processes involved in reading Here are some strategies that can help:

Phonics instruction: Teach children the relationship between letters and sounds Start with simple consonant-vowel-consonant words and gradually increase the complexity of words.

Sight word recognition: Teach children to recognise frequently used words by sight, such as "the," "and," and "said." This helps them build their reading fluency

Reading aloud: Read to children regularly and encourage them to read aloud to you This helps build their vocabulary and comprehension skills

Shared reading: Read with children, pointing out letters, words, and phrases as you go. This helps children develop their word recognition and comprehension skills.

Vocabulary instruction: Teach children new words and help them understand their meanings This will help them better understand what they are reading

Comprehension strategies: Teach children to use strategies such as predicting, summarizing, and asking questions to better understand what they are reading

Practise, practise, practise: Encourage children to read regularly, both in and out of the classroom This will help build their reading skills and confidence.

It's important to note that each child learns at their own pace, and some may require additional support or different teaching methods. A qualified reading specialist or educator can provide further guidance on how to teach the brain to read

Reading List

Educators Parents Kids

Local Author:

Mila is a Trinidadian with Dyslexia and this is her story

Dyslexia& Poetry POETRY

IS POETRY EASIER?

National Poetry Month is a celebration of poetry that takes place every April in the United States and Canada It was established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry. Despite not being nationally observed in Trinidad and Tobago, some literary organisations do acknowledge its importance and join in rising awareness and appreciation for a form of writing that is deemed vital to culture, art and life.

Wordsworth (1771–1850)

famously called poetry “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings . . . recollected in tranquility ” Joseph Brodsky (1940–1996) described poetry as “accelerated thinking,” and Seamus Heaney (1939–2013) called it “language in orbit ” No matter the definition poetry is one of our most expression forms of writing, and as writing it may be difficult for readers with reading challenges

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell. However, dyslexia does not necessarily mean that a person cannot enjoy or create poetry. In fact, many people with dyslexia have a great appreciation for the beauty and rhythm of language, and some even find that writing poetry can be a form of therapy or selfexpression One of the benefits of poetry for people with dyslexia is that it can be less rigid than other forms of writing Poetry can allow for more creative freedom in terms of spelling, grammar, and structure, which can make it more accessible for individuals with dyslexia. Additionally, some people with dyslexia may have strengths in other areas such as creativity, imagination, and visualization, which can make them particularly adept at expressing themselves through poetry

MONTH 2023

There are also various strategies and tools that can help people with dyslexia engage with poetry, such as audio recordings, visual aids, and dyslexia-friendly fonts These resources can make it easier for individuals with dyslexia to access the language and meaning of poetry. Overall, dyslexia does not have to be a barrier to enjoying or creating poetry With the right support and resources, people with dyslexia can find joy and fulfilment in this form of expression

DYSLEXIC POETS

Philip Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet; his memoir is entitled My Dyslexia.

W. B. Yeats is one of the most famous poets of all time, winning the Nobel Prize for literature in 1923, but few people know about his personal struggle with dyslexia

Celebrating PoetryMonth

Sharing JOY

through WORDS

oy is the theme of this year's poetry month celebrations and we invite our poets to help us share the joy of life

Join the celebration by:

Reading and sharing poems: Whether it's reading a favourite poem or sharing a new one with friends and family, National Poetry Month is a great time to celebrate the power of poetry

Attending poetry readings: Many libraries, bookstores, and other venues host poetry readings during National Poetry Month. Check your local events calendar to find out what's happening in your area

POETRY MONTH 2023

Writing your own poems: National Poetry Month is a great time to try your hand at writing poetry There are many resources available to help you get started, including online workshops and writing prompts.

Participating in a poetry challenge: There are many poetry challenges and contests that take place during National Poetry Month You can find these online or through your local writing community.

Sharing poetry on social media: Many people share their favourite poems on social media during National Poetry Month You can use hashtags like #NationalPoetryMonth or #PoetryMonth to join the conversation.

Whatever you choose to do, National Poetry Month is a great time to celebrate the power and beauty of poetry

Readingwith Autism

TEACHING AUTISTICS TO READ

AUTISM AWARENESS

Teaching autistic children to read can present some unique challenges, but with the right approach and strategies, it can be a very rewarding experience for both the teacher and the student. Here are some tips that may be helpful:

Use visual aids: Many autistic children are visual learners, so using pictures, flashcards, and other visual aids can be very helpful in teaching them to read.

Use multi-sensory approaches: Incorporating touch and sound can be helpful for some autistic children For example, you might use textured letters or letter cards with sounds that correspond to the letters

Break it down: Learning to read can be overwhelming for some autistic children, so it can be helpful to break it down into smaller steps. For example, you might start by teaching letter recognition before moving on to simple words and then sentences

Use repetition: Many autistic children benefit from repetition, so it can be helpful to repeat words and phrases frequently

Provide structure: Autistic children often thrive with structure, so it can be helpful to establish a consistent routine for reading lessons.

Use positive reinforcement: Praise and positive reinforcement can be very motivating for autistic children, so be sure to acknowledge their progress and successes

Be patient and flexible: Finally, it's important to be patient and flexible when teaching autistic children to read. Every child is unique and may learn at their own pace, so be prepared to adjust your approach as needed to accommodate their individual needs and learning style

Autismand Dyslexia

READING WITH BOTH

Autistic children with dyslexia face a unique set of challenges when it comes to learning to read Here are some strategies that may be helpful:

Multi-sensory learning: Dyslexia and autism both involve difficulties with processing language, so it can be helpful to use a multi-sensory approach that engages different senses (such as touch, sight, and sound) to reinforce learning For example, you might use textured letters, visual aids, and auditory cues

Break it down: Dyslexia can make reading overwhelming, so it can be helpful to break down reading tasks into smaller, more manageable steps For example, you might focus on one sound or word family at a time

Repetition and practice: Dyslexia often requires more practice and repetition to master reading skills Be prepared to repeat lessons and provide lots of opportunities for practice.

Visual aids: Many children with dyslexia benefit from visual aids such as colour coding, highlighting, and using graphic organisers to help them organise information

Assistive technology: There are a variety of assistive technologies that can be helpful for children with dyslexia, such as text-to-speech software, spellcheckers, and speech recognition software

Patience and empathy: Children with dyslexia and autism may need more time and support to learn to read. It's important to be patient and empathetic, and to celebrate their successes, no matter how small.

Collaborate with a specialist: Consider collaborating with a reading specialist or other professional who has experience working with children with dyslexia and autism They can provide additional support and strategies to help your child succeed

TeachingSightWords withphonics

ight words are commonly used words that children are encouraged to memorise to help them become fluent readers Phonics, on the other hand, is a method of teaching reading that emphasises the relationships between letters and sounds Combining these two approaches can be an effective way to teach sight words to young readers.

Onewaytoteachsightwordswithphonics is to use word families Word families are groups of words that have a common phonetic pattern. For example, the "at" familyincludeswordssuchas"cat,""mat," "bat," and "rat" By teaching children to recognise the phonetic pattern in one word, they can quickly learn other words inthesamefamily.

Another approach is to break down sight words into smaller, phonetically regular parts. For example, the word "the" can be broken down into the sounds /th/ and /e/ By teaching children to recognise these sounds and how they combine to maketheword"the,"theycanmoreeasily recognise the word when they see it in print

It's also helpful to use multi-sensory strategies when teaching sight words with phonics. This can includeusingflashcardswithpicturesoractionsthatcorrespondtotheword,usinggamesorpuzzles toreinforcethelearning,andencouragingchildrentowritethewordsastheylearnthem

Ultimately, teaching sight words with phonics can be an effective way to help children become fluent readers. By emphasising the relationship between letters and sounds, children can more easily recogniseandremembersightwords,whichcaninturnboosttheiroverallreadingproficiency

'

'DEAR'...tobeabetter reader

Drop Everything and Read' (DEAR) is a simple but effective strategy that can be used to build better readers. The concept is straightforward: at a set time each day, everyone in the classroom, including the teacher, stops what they're doing and reads silently for a set amount of time Here are some ways that DEAR can help improve reading skills:

Builds reading stamina: By reading for a set amount of time each day, students gradually build up their reading stamina, which can help them read longer and more complex texts with greater ease.

Develops a love of reading: Regular, independent reading can help students develop a love of reading by giving them time to choose books that interest them and allowing them to read without pressure or interruption.

Improves comprehension: By reading silently, students have the time and space to focus on the meaning of the text, leading to improved comprehension

Builds vocabulary: Reading a variety of texts can expose students to new vocabulary and help them expand their word knowledge

Encourages reading fluency: Regular reading practice can help students improve their reading fluency, which includes reading speed, accuracy, and expression

When implementing DEAR, it's important to set clear expectations and guidelines for students, such as how long they should read for and what types of materials they can read Teachers can also use this time to model good reading behavior and provide one-on-one reading support to struggling readers By incorporating DEAR into the classroom routine, teachers can help students become better readers and foster a lifelong love of reading

'DEAR' PACKAGES

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Reading Folder

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Announcements

UPCOMING EVENTS SERIVCES

July 2023

Information Session: Understanding Structured Literacy

Understanding Dyslexia with the Sangre Grande Library

August 2023

Reading Readiness Camp

Exploring Literacy Vol 1 Issue 2

October 2023

Go Red for Dyslexia Campaign

Tutoring Information Sessions

Workshops

Themed Book Boxes

Monthly Book subscription

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