How To Support Your Teenager With Literacy 16 th January 2013 Gill Howard Deputy Head SEN Specialist Services / Speech and Language Base Teacher - The Thomas Hardye School

To provide background information on literacy skills To think about the role of technology To suggest ideas for a reading and writing home To help you to support reading, writing, spelling and organisation To let you know what to do if youre worried Aims:

To be literate you need to be able to read and write at a functional level.

Examples of literacy are everywhere! Help your teen recognize and make personal connections to literacy in his / her daily life: Multiple Literacies

home literacy (routines, chores, shopping lists) literacy in everyday life outside of home (bus timetables / reading menus / understanding road signs etc.) social literacy (manners, etiquette) work literacy (procedures, routines) auditory literacy (radio, conversation) Multiple Literacies:

visual literacy (graphics, text, TV) computer literacy (using software) web literacy (surfing the Internet) digital literacy (mobile phones, , MSN) curriculum literacy (school subjects)

Different writing conventions: Point out formal and informal in your own correspondence

Reading and writing is a very complex process

Literacy development requires: Language skills

Literacy development requires: Auditory (phonological) skills

Literacy development requires: Visual skills

Literacy development requires: Memory skills

Literacy development requires: Processing Speed

Literacy development requires: Fine motor skills

Literacy development requires: Knowledge of phonics

We are all a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Literacy development requires a lot of skills but remember…

Multiple Intelligences Smart with Language Movement Music Self knowledge Numbers Other people Nature Art

Social networking

Text talk

Wikipedia: Copy and paste gives Wikipedia a bad name!

Suggestions for online literacy games, quizzes and worksheets: The internet offers free resources:

Remember… Technology is our friend in the literacy battle!

At Home

Consider if there is anything you can do to change the environment but… A reading and writing environment

Model your own habits for them:

The days of reading together may be a long forgotten memory!

But you may be able to read a book separately but enjoy it together.

Create a literacy environment at home

Play literacy games together! Many have DVD version available, or connect your PC or iPad to your TV.

What if my teenager gets stuck?

Avoid anxiety

Phonemes, phonics, syllables – a quick guide!

Phonemes

S-o S-u-n S-p-o-t S-p-r-i-ng S-p-r-ea-d-i-ng

Snail talk…

Phonics

Phonics… Word families Mum, how do you spell the end of station? tion… Its the same as action, nation, mention… Its t-i-o-n.

Phonics A good guess is usually readable. A good gess is usuly reedible.

Syllables Break the words into parts Clap the sound

Syllables Daff /o/dil3 Ex/plan/a/tion4 Myth/o/lo/gi/cal5

Techniques – useful for tricky one-off words SUSSUS S tudy the word U nderline the difficult part(s) S ay the word carefully

Mnemonics – make up your own -ould – Oh, you, lucky duck (should, could, would) Laugh – Laugh At Ugly Goat Hair Because – Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants Island – an island is land surrounded by water Necessary – 1 collar and 2 sleeves are necessary Piece – a piece of pie Separate – there is a rat in separate Accommodation – 2 cats, 2 mice, 1 dog - accommodation Quiet – keep quiet about my diet

Stuck with writing

Writing

Beginning - (Introduction) Idea 2 Idea 3 End – (Conclusion) Idea 1

Organisation 3 STAGE PROCESS - RAG 1. Get Ready 2. Pay Attention 3. Good job finished!

Organisation R = Get Ready Make a list of the steps Find necessary equipment Make a work station Tick off the steps

Organisation A = Pay Attention Stick with the job Ignore other distractions and resist temptation! Its okay to take a short break to stretch (and even plan what youre going to do AFTER the task is complete. (Let them know resistance gets better with practice!)

Organisation G = Good job finished! Talk about copying work neatly and proof reading (or asking you to proofread). Final steps (name on the work, putting it in school bag).

Perhaps the most important thing is to keep talking… Ask them how you could help them best.

What if Im worried? The Thomas Hardye School wants to enable every student to reach his or her full potential. Talk to us if youre worried or concerned.

To sum up: We are all a mixture of strengths and weaknesses Literacy is everywhere – point out when you are using it Try to tap into personal interests See technology as a help not a hindrance Create a positive literacy environment at home

To sum up: All reading and writing is good Be supportive without just doing it for them Self-esteem is vital for successful learning Keep channels of communication open with your teenager Ask us if youre worried

If youre worried about your own literacy…