Synopses & Reviews
THE LITTLE BOOK OF DYSLEXIA,written by a dyslexic student teacher, references both personal experience and current research findings to highlight issues faced by people of all ages with dyslexia.
It looks at a number of strategies that can be used both inside and outside the classroom as well as listing various resources all designed to create a learning environment that helps not hinders the dyslexic learner. The book works through the various challenges faced at different ages, starting with the youngest, including some of the early indications of dyslexia and moves up through primary and secondary school and finally onto university and being a student teacher.
This is a must-read for anyone who has met dyslexia in their own approach to learning or in a child or children they know.”
Roger Pask, Education Leadership and Management Consultant, Facilitator and Coach
This book will appeal to trainee teachers, newly qualified teachers and practitioners across all phases of education. It will also prove to be a practical guide for all parents on how to cope with a child who has dyslexia.”
Debbie Coslett, Chief Executive Officer, The Hayesbrook School Academy Trust
Any parent of a child diagnosed with dyslexia would find this book excellent in that it is written by someone who really knows how that diagnosis impacts on a childs life.”
Andrew Massey, Fox In The Box Consulting Ltd
This is a gem of a book that will be useful for working with all pupils and students. It is packed with common sense strategies and insights that will make learning fun and productive.”
Carol Frankl, leading personality of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) industry, founder of The Southover Partnership
Joe Beech was diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyspraxia at age seven. He is currently coming to the end of studying a BA in Physical Education and Education before moving on to complete his PGCE.
Review
Reviewed by Roger Pask, Education Leadership and Management Consultant, Facilitator and Coach.
This may be a little book but it is about a big subject and has great heart and a penetrating mind. It is a very useful book that is as much about the whole issue of learning as it is about dyslexia.
Joe Beech combines his personal story, a succinct account of the theory and research associated with dyslexia and a significant degree of practical recommendations that cannot fail to be of immense use to everyone who has experience of dyslexia as subject, parent or teacher.
The way Joe tells his own story endears him to his readers and commands human attention to this most human of challenges both to learning in our social and educational systems and to how we should regard a specific group of learners, numbering over two million people in this country alone. He charts his own experience from early childhood through to his experiences in higher education a story of obstacles triumphed over, and how those obstacles could and should be significantly reduced by those who manage learning systems.
The first five chapters introduce the reader to the subject itself, explaining the potential genetic origins of dyslexia and the questions it raises about the way that we think about learning and some of the many obstacles there are to learning within our social and educational systems. The three chapters dealing with the period of early years through to secondary school help us to get inside the mind of a child experiencing dyslexia and the typical response of the system to such a child. The system includes teachers and parents in particular for it is the personal response of the adults whom the child encounters who can profoundly influence whether learning for a child experiencing dyslexia becomes a pathway among many possible pathways, or a steep incline with ever-growing obstacles to be cleared in an increasingly isolating climate.
Joe charts the story with a light touch in which he offers us insights laced with humour and occasional irony as he helps us to understand how this particular challenge to learning can be effectively managed. His inference that we need to know our ACBs (deliberately a little ironic) Assessment, Classroom practice and Behaviour so that adults, particularly teachers and parents, can help move the learning of children with dyslexia forward and themselves develop a useful and practical level of understanding, has a powerful impact on the reader. He de-mystifies the subject, making it immediately accessible to anyone who wants to understand it and respond to it.
In spite of the plain and very accessible writing on the subject and its intensely practical nature, this is a book founded on through and rigorous research as the references and end-notes illustrate offering a rich field for further reading.
From the earliest chapter he finds simple ways of explaining and illustrating what the printed environment might look like through dyslexic eyes even with a spell-checker on the computer to hand (or eye).
One might forgive anyone who has fought their way in life through a disability for exuding a sense of resentment at how little help is often available from the system and the populace at large. There is no hint of resentment or bitterness in this book, indeed it is laced with bits of humour even a little fun=poking at self. He writes early on My favourite mistake however was writing defecate rather than deficit! You have to be able to laugh at yourself, sometimes dyslexia is funny!
The illustrations are particularly evocative and somehow create a feeling of empathy towards the person, young or more mature, working out how to manage this distinctive set of challenges.
One very serious point about this book is that it explores aspects of learning in general. What is written about dyslexia is about all aspects of what we have come to call special needs; and what we can learn from thinking about meeting special needs applies to the whole potenitally vexed question of how all of us learn. To read this book is to further deepen ones understanding of learning. To understand dyslexia and how to manage it is to grasp more about the management of learning for all children and indeed all adults. That is perhaps the most remarkable thing about this little yet very big book.
Or perhaps there is one other thing that is most remarkable. It is that it is an example of amor vincit omnia. Joes story is one of being loved and of loving the key ingredients of how he has come thus far in his life managing challenges that are that bit steeper than those which we normally face. It is clear that this is due in no small part to the love he has experienced especially from his family. Equally he approaches the subject in a loving way love for those like him who have engaged with this particular challenge, love of learning, love that he shows through the insights he shares in the book, and the love which has drawn him to a career in education himself something he hints that many people find remarkable.
This is not remarkable in the way one might think. It is not because one might imagine someone with dyslexia ill-equipped to become a teacher but because of the great contribution that someone like Joe can make to the education system. This is what is evident by the time one gets to the end of the story.
This is a must-read not only for anyone who has met dyslexia in their own approach to learning or in a child or childern they know it is for anyone who has an interest in learning and how it is best facilitated, whoever the learner might be. If you are interested in learning and being a more effective learner on a personal level, read this book.
Reviewed by Sal McKeown freelance journalist and author of How to help your Dyslexic and Dyspraxic Child.
Joe Beech is going to be an outstanding teacher. He is currently at the University of Chichester studying to be a PE teacher in secondary school. He is also the author of The Little Book of Dyslexia by Joe Beech, edited by Ian Gilbert. This book is a very welcome addition to the library of books on dyslexia because it offers a personal account allied to a teacher's perspective. Even in these relatively enlightened days, not many people are both dyslexic and a teacher.
Joe Beech grew up in Kent where the 11 plus was still in operation so while his brother went off to grammar school, he went to a mixed high school. This had some key advantages. The school taught touch typing: 'one of the most valuable skills that I possess. I not only use it on an almost daily basis now but it enables me to produce presentable work which I can instantly change, rearrange and edit as much as needed.'
While so many books focus on endless spelling and phonics practice, The Little Book of Dyslexia is a breath of fresh air when it comes to the practical uses of technology to support the dyslexic learner. Beech talks about mind mapping, dictaphones, e-readers, smartphones and all the panoply of 'technology in your back pocket'.
Joe Beech's experiences have informed his approach to his new career. It is worth buying this book for the chapter on teaching alone. There is a wealth of practical tips: Do a lesson plan as a flow chart instead of in the conventional way so you can see exactly where you are and where you are going.
'The best resource available to you in any classroom is the pupils themselves,' says Joe Beech. 'If you can implement a system in which the pupils cover most of the organisation, half of the work is done for you!' He suggests building on the ideas used in the Apprentice and setting up a system where pupils take on roles as Project Manager, Resource Manager, Team Motivator, the Accountant who is responsible for rewards and the Coach/Mentor who also acts as assessor. Not only does this motivate young people but it also prepares them for the world of work too.
Joe Beech has produced a very enjoyable read which offers an insight into the best teaching too: 'The best lectures and lessons I have had are the ones that caught me off guard and involved a novel experience which remained in my mind.' I am sure his own lessons will be equally memorable.
Reviewed by Debbie Coslett, Chief Executive Officer, The Hayesbrook School Academy Trust.
The Little Book of Dyslexia is easily accessible, written in an almost informal and "chatty" way which makes the reader want to read on...with the mix of fact and anecdote timely and appropriate. The 'human' element of the book is its strongest selling point - the author knows what it is like to be dyslexic and how it impacts on everyday life and the use of humour (often at the author's expense!) is very apt, especially when describing situations/faux pas that can easily be made.
The book will appeal to trainee teachers, newly qualified teachers and practitioners across all phases of education. It will also prove to be a practical guide for all parents on how to cope with a child who has dyslexia...this book will provide them with just that, and also some reassurance that a 'diagnosis' of dyslexia is not life inhibiting.
Reviewed by Andrew Massey, Fox In The Box Consulting Ltd.
Any parent of a child diagnosed with dyslexia would find this book excellent in that it is written by someone who really knows how that impacts. I love the human touch in Joes style of writing. Would I buy this as a parent of a dyslexic person ? Absolutely !
Reviewed by Carol Frankl, Founder and Managing Director The Southover Partnership.
This little book is a delightful read. Written by a trainee PE teacher who was diagnosed at the age of 8 with dyslexia and dyspraxia it is a testament to his perseverance through a sometimes unforgiving education system bent on teaching literacy and numeracy in dyslexia unfriendly ways. Aimed primarily at teachers this book has a wealth of practical information to help both teachers and parents meet the needs of dyslexic children more effectively.
There is a good balance between the author's own experience, tools of the trade and literature research all adding up to well rounded package addressing the needs of dyslexic pupils and students in education. Explaining how dyslexia is experienced is helpful as it puts the reader in the shoes of dyslexic pupils focussing on issues such as self esteem, organisational skills and managing challenging behaviour and how these impact on learning.
The book goes on to describe the authors own experiences in the different phases of education. He explains a range of effective approaches that can improve learning opportunities for pupils. Each chapter ends with useful teacher tips. About assessment, classroom practice and behaviour.
The book has suggestions about useful software to support dyslexic students and ideas for teachers to consider in their classroom practice. The section on exams is particularly useful. The author takes a balanced view about exams versus coursework and suggests a number of strategies to help dyslexic students through these challenging times. Topics such as managing time and money are covered as well as organisational skills. These are essential life skills for all young adults. The last section of the book is specifically aimed at teachers, packed with ideas about how to make classrooms dyslexia friendly.
This is a gem of a book that will be useful for working with all pupils and students. It is packed with common sense strategies and insights that will make learning fun and productive.
Synopsis
A guide for teachers of dyslexic students written by a dyslexic teacher.
Synopsis
The Little Book of Dyslexia references both personal experience and current applied research and findings in order to highlight issues faced by people with dyslexia. It looks at a number of strategies and lesson ideas which can be used both inside and outside the classroom to help students with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties. It also lists various resources which can be used alongside these strategies to create a successful learning environment for those with dyslexia.
The book progresses through the various challenges that are faced at different age ranges, and support needed, starting with the youngest in early years, including some of the early signs you may see with dyslexia, moving up through primary and secondary school and finally onto higher education and university and being a student teacher.
An outstanding guide for students, teachers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCO's) and parents.
Synopsis
Joe Beech stumbled through the education system and was diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyspraxia at age seven. He is currently a full time student teacher and who better to help teachers support students with dyslexia than someone who is a dyslexic student teacher? He shares what works so well for him.
About the Author
Joe Beech stumbled through the education system and was diagnosed with both dyslexia and dyspraxia at age seven. He is currently a full time student Teacher and who better to help teachers support students with dyslexia than someone who is a dyslexic student teacher?
Ian Gilbert is one of the UK's leading educational innovators, speakers and writers with twenty years experience working with young people and educationalists around the world. He is the founder of Independent Thinking Ltd, the editor of the Independent Thinking Press and the author of a number of titles including Why Do I Need a Teacher When I've Got Google?. His book The Little Book of Thunks won the first education book award from the Society of Authors for 'an outstanding example of traditionally published non-fiction that enhances teaching and learning'.
www.independentthinking.com
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
1. Introduction
2. Dys-lex-ia
3. The Early Years
4. Primary School
5. Secondary School
6. Technology
7. Exams and Qualifications
8. Higher Education
9. Teaching
Appendix
Endnotes
Bibliography