Research abstract

Hey Teacher, leave those pens alone

Try teaching and reading stories in a new way to remove barriers for students with dyslexia. Here are some ideas for how to communicate stories without the need for the written word. By Dyslexia Awareness

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October 7th, 2015 was the third day of Dyslexia Awareness Week in the UK, which also happens to be No Pens Day. Readers are asked to give their feedback if they have participated in either or both events. There are also suggestions for ways of communicating stories without writing. Suggestions include oral storytelling, photography and film.
Storytelling is highlighted as a key part of the curriculum. As part of Dyslexia Awareness Week, schools are encouraged to have storytelling sessions without having to write the stories. Also available are audio recordings for most paragraphs for those who prefer to listen than to read. A link for tips on how to make a classroom more dyslexia friendly is included. Readers are also encouraged to share their classroom experiences related to dyslexia friendly lessons.

Key takeaways

  1. Reading and discussing stories is a key part of learning for students of all ages.
  2. In schools, stories are typically explored using the written word, which can pose an extra challenge for both students with dyslexia and those for whom English is not their first language or struggle with literacy.
  3. Here are some ideas for how to explore stories without using the written word, so that all students can engage in the activity.

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