Here at LiteracyPlanet, we’ve always held the belief that education doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all model. We understand that every child is a unique learner, and therefore this individuality extends to their preferred learning styles. Meeting the diverse learning needs of students with a range of abilities can be quite a challenge in today’s mainstream classrooms. But at the same time, there’s a growing call for more personalised learning methods.
Customised Teaching for Students with Diverse Learning Needs
Teachers often find themselves in a bit of a juggling act in their classrooms: They need to mix customised learning paths with the individual needs of students who learn in different ways. For students with dyslexia, deciphering words, recognising spelling patterns, and grasping written text can often seem like quite a mountain to climb. On the other hand, in the context of autism, which often comes with communication difficulties, social interaction challenges, and repetitive behaviours, there’s a clear need for a structured approach enriched with visual aids.
Whether we’re talking about dyslexia or autism, students with specific needs benefit from teaching methods tailored just for them, especially regarding literacy education.
When we’re talking about giving students with diverse learning needs the best education possible, research has uncovered some essential principles:
- Customised Teaching: Adapting teaching techniques and materials to align with each student’s abilities and learning preferences is pivotal. This recognises that what may be effective for one student may not be suitable for another.
- Visual Tools and Assistance: Visual aids, such as diagrams, images, and charts, hold significant value for visual learners and students with diverse learning needs. These aids enhance comprehension and retention of information.
- Organised Learning Environments: Providing clear directives and structured routines instils a sense of security in many students. Consistent schedules and predictable expectations enhance their overall learning experience.
- Individualised Progress: Allowing students to advance at their own pace proves advantageous, particularly for those with special needs like dyslexia or autism. This approach reduces stress and frustration, enabling them to focus on mastering fundamental skills.
Empowering Inclusive Learning
LiteracyPlanet’s engaging platform, aligned with the curriculum, offers a wide range of resources for students with diverse learning needs. These resources, featuring captivating characters, interactive narratives, and visually enticing activities, are designed to grab students’ attention and facilitate their learning.
We bring the learning online, creating a supportive setup that goes hand in hand with the usual teaching methods. Being able to access everything online means students with diverse learning needs can tackle things at their own speed, which takes away some of the stress of the classroom. Plus, it’s a handy way to nudge students into getting started on tasks or lessons when they need that little extra push.
By the way, did you know you can mute the sound on our platform? It’s a handy feature that can help some kids with special needs stay focused and do their best.
For students who may face difficulties like dyslexia, LiteracyPlanet’s method for teaching literacy can be a real game-changer. By breaking down words into manageable syllables and providing adequate practice opportunities, we equip dyslexic students with the essential reading and writing skills they need for success.
Supporting Teachers
In the ever-changing world of education, the LiteracyPlanet team has just released a fantastic collection of back-to-school resources, tailored for UK educators that can be downloaded for free. In an era where budgets are tight and teaching time is limited, this suite of dynamic and engaging tools is ready to bring excitement to the learning journey and to reduce the time teachers have to spend preparing lessons while addressing their students’ diverse learning needs.
Tom Richardson, the CEO of LiteracyPlanet, emphasises our commitment to educators: “Our focus is not only on aiding teachers burdened by time constraints but also on delivering a curriculum-aligned programme that imparts essential skills to children. From honing writing and spelling to nurturing reading and comprehension, we weave in characters and themes that resonate with children, ensuring a fun learning journey.”
How We Address Diverse Learning Needs at LiteracyPlanet
Spanning diverse themes like football, animals, transportation, pirates, and the festive season, the toolkit comprises a variety of enriching materials. Inside, you’ll find interactive games, quizzes, sound bingo, visual cues for vocabulary acquisition, word searches, crosswords, scrambles, creative colouring activities, and even classroom decorations.
Crafted by pedagogical experts, these resources have been tailored to align seamlessly with the skill development crucial for students. Beyond mere utility, the incorporation of thematic elements ensures active student engagement and task completion.
At LiteracyPlanet, we deeply understand and want to wholeheartedly support teachers, who often dip into their own pockets for classroom resources. Our mission is to stand by educators in every way possible, alleviating their burdens and furnishing them with tools that breathe life into their lesson plans while nurturing students’ literacy skills. – Tom Richardson.
In the world of literacy education, the ultimate aim is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in the classroom and beyond, and to have their diverse learning needs addressed. Laying the right foundation in inclusive classroom settings will only serve to improve learning outcomes and brighter future prospects for all students.
