Ten Study Tips for Junior Certificate Students with Dyslexia
1. Colour code your timetable
Give each subject its own colour! Do several copies: one for the locker, the homework journal, your study area. Put in the name of your teacher and classroom the first time you put in a subject. It could look like this.
2. Become organised.
Use your homework journal for homework and to pack your bag for the next day. Write in the names of the subjects in for each day. It will save time when taking down homework in class. For your files/notes/books. Try having a weekly clear out and organisation of locker and work area. Use colour folders and covers/colour tabs for your copies. Use the same colour for the subjects as in your timetable.
For example, English could be red, Maths yellow, Geography pink etc. And of course, most importantly have your MOBILE switched OFF when doing homework.
3. Use SMART Goals!
SMART goals for your homework give you an exact idea of what to learn within a given time. It will help to keep you focussed. This is far more productive than reading over a chapter three times. Here is an example from History on the Reformation. At the end of 20 minutes I will know the following key facts and be able to test myself:4. Moving from Short term to Long term
Rote learning (learning off-by-heart what you do not understand) is not recommended for students with dyslexia. It is better to learn with understanding or to see patterns. Use several senses rather than look over/read over notes to make the material your own. It is hard work but it helps. Use activities such talking, listening, debating, drawing, visualising, flashcards, lists of questions etc.
5. Know your learning style
- Visual learners – prefer diagrams, colour, mindmaps, organisers
- Verbal/auditory learners – like using highlighting, recording on MP3, talking and repeating information.
- Movement, movement, saying, writing.
6. Note taking
If you cannot take good notes, can you get photocopies or use revision books. This will allow you listen in class and understand what is being taught. There are websites that can be helpful. See end of this article. Put page numbers, date, subject and topic at the top of each page. When summarising the summary should be less than a quarter of text. Use lots of space, numbering, bullet points, headings, sub-headings & colour. Graphic Organisers and Mindmaps help organise your thinking, help when learning/memorising material and then help in structuring written answers. There are some examples of graphic organisers below.
7. Memory techniques
Visualisation. Make up images in your mind to help you remember. Here is an example. The colours in the wires in the electric plug are blue, green/yellow, and brown. See the image of a Teddybear (brown for the live wire,) on green grass (green for the earth wire) and a blue sky (blue for the neutral).Grouping. Don’t try to memorise long lists of unrelated facts. Group them in blocks.
Mnemonics. Make up sentences or words that help you remember facts. Here are some examples.
8. Reading
Try to make time to read something everyday. It will develop reading stamina and speed. It is like training for a race. You cannot run a 5 K race immediately. You train for it over time. Active reading means asking yourself questions about the text before you start, then try to find the answers to those questions as you read. It will help keep your mind focussed. Then when you finish, check if you can now answer the questions.
See if a plastic colour overlay helps or use a ruler to keep your eyes focussed on the page. Maybe enlarged print (on computer or Kindle) may help. Digital copies of textbooks are available so you can read and hear the text at the same time. Factsheet 16 under downloads at www.dyslexiacourses.ie has details on how to access them. There is a scanning pen available now which reads aloud text as well as capturing text to file. See www.scanningpenshop.com.
Reading aloud or subvocalizing (saying the words quietly to yourself) can help you read more accurately particularly in exams.
9. Spelling and Vocabulary
Dictionary/notebook when reading will help develop vocabulary: Put a tab where each letter begins in the dictionary. Have an alphabet bookmark and choose a dictionary with large print. Collins Dictionaries have dictionaries where the alphabet is printed on each page.
Keep a vocabulary notebook for each subject
Develop mnemonics for spelling words you confuse
10. Writing
Make up three characters in great detail such as how they look, clothes, hobbies, family, school, jobs, friends, opinions etc. Collect pictures from magazines etc. to illustrate your characters. It makes it easier to compose a short story if you have people already in your head. Use your five senses when writing a description of a scene.
When answering questions think of 3 points to support your answer, then 2 references /quotes to back up each point.Use the question to start your answer. So if you are asked What the key causes of climate change? begin your answer The key causes of climate change are.. Write and don’t stop for spelling, check it afterwards otherwise it will interrupt your thinking.
Have checklists of points to prompt you to write more. For example when writing about a person in history, think about clothes, food, farming, houses, rulers, religion, schools, beliefs, death. Templates which show how to structure an answer help with planning. Examples are available with Inspiration Software. Here is an example.
Josephine collins
(31/01/2018 00:44)
Thank you are this information very helpful for my son.
Evelyn Brannelly Dunne
(31/01/2019 12:18)
Hi Will ye be running any couses in Galway for Junior Cert Students
Evelyn
0872127919
Breeda Ryan
(31/08/2019 18:18)
Are you rumnimg any study skills course in south dublin for my daughter aged 13 going into 2nd year.
Any help greatly appreciated for a stressed, anxious child.
Thank you
Breeda
Jacqueline
(03/09/2019 12:02)
Hi , will you be running any courses for junior cert students in the Carlow/kilkenny area . I have one boy myself , but know of two others who would also be interested .
Many thanks Jacqui