Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
LIVE NOW
Welcome to today’s #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We’re joined today by education nonprofit @FirstBook. We’ll be chatting about making #reading fun for kids with learning and attention issues.
Edie, Academic Therapist and Consultant in Washington, DC. Building an international tribe of teachers and parents of teens and young adults with ADHD. Yes, ADHD...17 studies found that over 45% occur for both (comorbid.).
A1. Be observant of what your child gravitates toward in everyday life. Do they like bugs? Perhaps they’d like a nonfiction book about different kinds of bugs in a garden! Do they draw? Maybe they'll like a picture book or a biography about Diego Rivera! #LDchat
A1:Last year I noticed a lot of superhero gear being worn by kids. So this year I started a reading program called #readingisMARVELous where I use @Marvel characters to promote and recommend books to students. It's been a huge success because it's something they like #LDchat
A1. Another good way to find out a child’s genre preferences is to ask them what movies they like or what they watch on TV. If they like adventure, mystery, science or have favorite characters – you can find books that reflect those interests! #LDchat
Njeri Richardson-Carty Of Branches Of Learning Inc. Anguilla, Education Consultant and BIG On Learning Founder creating innovative education solutions for children. #ldchat#reading
A1. Be observant of what your child gravitates toward in everyday life. Do they like bugs? Perhaps they’d like a nonfiction book about different kinds of bugs in a garden! Do they draw? Maybe they'll like a picture book or a biography about Diego Rivera! #LDchat
When a student asks me what they should read next, I always ask what they just finished then what they like to watch. It's a natural progression towards book preferences! #LDchat
A1 My older kids with ADHD/LD want to be like everyone else. Their choices are Harry Potter (series), Diary of a Wimpy kid (series), books on actors/sports stars, comics, and anime, Unfortunately I read James Patterson! Yuk! #LDchat
Gabrielle’s #reading challenges made learning difficult. But her passion for space changed things. Now she’s a successful scientist. #ldchathttps://t.co/J00N8UbGg8
I am very flexible with students self-selecting books to read in my resource classroom. I allow them to have much student choice because I find better results. They (and their parents) appreciate the efforts. It's amazing to watch love of interest improve as a result. #LDchat
I have a 4th grade student who LOVES farming, so I look for all the farming-related books I can find for him! He enjoys creating google powerpoints at farm animals. His reading is growing more this year than it ever has before. #LDchat
A2: Graphic novels are a big hit at my school. I do have some teachers who don't support them, so I spent some time teaching the students how to read a graphic novel. It helped the teachers to buy in and got the Ss reading classics like The Boxcar Children #LDchat
A1- Creating personalized book bags is one way I tap into students love for reading a balance of student choice in selecting the books and their needs to grow in skills as readers. #ldchat#loveofreading
Series books are a great doorway into engaging kids in reading. Nothing like the excitement of finding out what happens next! - https://t.co/YkO0oL0mvD#LDChat
A2. My kids do best with biographies of famous people. The can activate prior knowledge, then comprehension become easier. My trick is getting them work with librarians to find the perfect choice. #LDchat
My students really love the old fashion "Big Books" because they feel like they are reading bigger books. It's so cute to watch them carry around books sized bigger than them! #LDchat
And yet they require so many higher level thinking skills to receive the content. I love pointing out all the skills being used to read just one page of a graphic novel. It makes those struggling with traditional text feel empowered in their abilities. #LDchat
A2: We’re reading The Lemonade War using the paperback and listening to the audiobook at the same time. The kids want to sell lemonade now ❤️🍋 #LDchat#reading#audiobooks
They don't always see them as "real" reading. What I've found is that the teachers don't see all that is required to gain comprehension and that Ss don't always know "how" to read them. A simple lesson in structure and format made a HUGE difference! #LDchat
We talked with an educator in our #FirstBookCommunity about how he used the “Lunch Lady” series by @studiojjk (which is a humorous graphic novel series) to engage his students. Even his reluctant readers loved reading the books together! - https://t.co/wiLNChb2PJ#LDchat
Audio books are awesome to supporting students with access to more books and books they may not be able to read independently #LDchat#reading#audiobooks
The vocabulary enrichment in a #comicbook is astounding! There is also a need for context and history to keep the story going. I wish more parents and teachers would embrace them! #LDchat
A3. Oftentimes kids get frustrated when they encounter vocabulary they’re unfamiliar with. Audio books are helpful to use in tandem with a print book because a child can see the word and hear it pronounced. #ldchat
A3: We often comprehend at a higher level than we can read. Ts know this from read alouds. Audiobooks can help students build a bridge from the text to comprehension. I encourage my Ss to check out the print copy of the audiobook they get. #LDchat
“Think of it like this: Mainstream readers ‘eye read.’ People who are blind use Braille and ‘finger read.’ I ‘ear read.’” #reading#ldchathttps://t.co/4JMQfJk9gw
Audiobooks may help struggling readers because they can focus their attention to the comprehension and enjoyment of the text versus trying to decode words. THey are especially beneficial for our auditory learners. #LDchat
A4: Model reading, talk about what you love to read, don't shame a student because of what they are reading or because they're not reading, read together, DON'T GIVE UP until you find something to spark an interest #LDchat
A3- Audio Books allows students to access books they would not otherwise be able to read independently, increase vocabulary and ability to comprehend .#ldchat#reading#audiobooks
Book series are a great way to engage a child. Learn how “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” does just that, while also strengthening social skills. #reading#ldchathttps://t.co/MZCxZeDxbi
A3. Audiobooks benefit both low skill and high-level readers. Introduces books above their reading level. Introduces different genres and new vocabulary. Improves good interpretive reading. Teaches critical listening. Highlights emotion. #LDchat
Find a strength (no matter how small) and keep giving them positive feedback. I brag to their parents, teachers and our principal about their strengths to give them encouragement. SHow excitement as you are reading so they maybe become interested. #LDchat
A4. The key to getting kids to enjoy reading is to get them interested in the book’s subject matter... You can curate books for kids, but CHOICE goes a long way to developing a love of reading! #ldchat
