Classroom Support with Mrs Nicola Spackman
Happy children make for happy learning!
Children need guidelines at school and at home. They respond positively to clear boundaries. Children respond well to praise rather than criticism. Children also respond to calm environments. Learning happens best when children are happy and engaged. Learning happens at home as well as at school.
Here’s to a HAPPY year of learning!
Naplan
Students with additional needs are granted the use of appropriate disability adjustments for some assessments. Some children are exempt from one or more tests on the grounds of English language proficiency or disability. Students may also be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. Some students are able to access adjustments for NAPLAN, including extra time, rest breaks, a scribe, assistive technology, different coloured texts, larger font, Braille, a support person and oral signing. All adjustments are discussed with parents, applied for by the school, and approved well before NAPLAN commences.
Resources
There are so many fabulous resources online for parents to access. There are some free information resources on the following site on ADHD, Auditory Processing, Memory, Dyslexia, Learning Difficulties, as well as many other learning processes.
https://www.learnfasthq.com/free-learning-resources
Dyslexia
Sometimes, students who struggle with reading and spelling have Dyslexia. The main areas they struggle with are learning sounds, decoding words, fluency and spelling. Dyslexia occurs on a continuum from mild to severe. The Australian Dyslexia Association may have some information on their website that might benefit your child. SPELD also has some great resources for students struggling with reading and spelling.
Students who have dyslexia often have an inquiring mind and are very intelligent. They can problem solve, comprehend new ideas and are creative, analytical thinkers. Many of our teaching staff have participated in a 16-hour online dyslexia course. This professional learning benefits many children, not just those with Dyslexia.
