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Why the “Wait to Fail Approach” in NZ?

It is a well-known fact (but not well received) that taking a ‘wait to fail’ approach in terms of Literacy is well practiced in New Zealand. Does this lead to Success or Failure? The writing is on the wall from day one and we need to consider what we are doing about this for the students who walk through your doors every day. A diagnosis of dyslexia in school is primarily based upon a “wait-to-fail-approach.” This approach requires a child to demonstrate a significant struggle to le...

Do you TEACH Spelling or Give Words?

Very few teachers/schools can honestly answer we teach spelling. Some may believe they teach spelling but I beg to differ? Why do I go here? Explicit teaching of the code is fundamental for a dyslexic learner. It impacts a students ability to both Decode and Encode and provides a platform with which they do not have to employ a Glance and GUESS method when reading and writing.All of us can reflect on aspects of our teaching careers with new knowledge in tow and shudder at what once was. Well, I ...

Glance and Guess — Really?

Let’s just STOP and take some time to consider how we truly teach reading in New Zealand. If a student is having difficulty with learning to read, you the teacher are obligated to reconsider your approach. A whole word approach which encourages students to glance and guess, memorising words from day 1 is not suitable for all. Taking students to print before they have phonological awareness intact will leave them with no other option but to glance and guess. Sending a reader home and saying thi...