D is for Dyslexia

By. Meredith Biesinger

October is known as breast cancer awareness month, and it’s also the month that ushers in the holiday season, beginning with Halloween. We wear pink, carve pumpkins, and likely overeat candy this time of year. 

However, October is also dyslexia awareness month. A staggering 5 to 15 percent of Americans—14.5 to 43.5 million children and adults—have dyslexia. Dyslexia may also be referred to as a reading disability, reading difference, or reading disorder. 

One in five students has dyslexia. So, if you’re a teacher with 25 students in your class, then it’s likely that five of them have dyslexia. That’s a lot!

Dyslexia is often misunderstood and overlooked. It is a common condition that makes working with language challenging. In a nutshell, people with dyslexia have trouble reading at a consistent pace and without mistakes. They may also have difficulty with reading comprehension, spelling, and writing. However, these challenges aren’t a problem with intelligence.

Since it’s October, “spooky season, “ and dyslexia awareness month, here is a fun activity to do in your classroom that is festive and will help young readers. 

Morpheme Monsters

Morpheme: The smallest part of a word that has meaning. 

This “Make-a-Monster” activity involves students playing with word parts to create a fun monster name. Students must apply their knowledge of morphemes to explain the meaning of their monsters. 

Supplies needed: Color construction paper and markers/crayons. 

Other fun activities this month include having your students read with a witch nail (a rubber witch finger) and use it as a pointer as they read. Or, for older readers, read a Halloween book, like “The Halloween Parade,” A (Dyslexia Adapted) Monstacademy Mystery. Little things like this can make a big difference in reluctant readers.  October is a month full of festivities and celebrations, be sure to celebrate your readers too!