PAGE 41

1.20 St Monan's Primary School, Fife

Specific Learning Difficulties - A Support Project
St Monan's Primary School

During Session 2001 / 2002 St Monan's Primary School became concerned that there was a group of 6 boys in P5 -P7 who had a history of difficulties in all areas of English Language throughout their school career. It was agreed that the needs of these pupils should be fully assessed and support strategies put in place. The results of the assessments confirmed that all the boys had specific learning difficulties of a dyslexic nature. We have met with parents and discussed the needs of the boys in detail.

To meet the challenge of their needs the following strategies were put in place:

i) Discussion with the pupils concerning their individual needs with a focus on being independent learners.
ii) Peer group support and individual targets set
iii) Success, structured tasks and immediate rewards to maintain confidence and raise self-esteem.
iv) Investigation into strategies to support learning i.e. mnemonics and fluency training.
v) Focus on 100 High Frequency non-phonetic words using a self -marking word -wall challenge.
vi) Support for Learning in-service training to develop mind-mapping and memory strategy skills.
vii) Support reference folders were produced for individuals to access in the classroom. So far the folders contain tables squares, b / d confusion cue cards, Look -Cover -Write - Check cue cards and a reference for common, non-phonetic words. The school has also purchased copies of the 'Toe by Toe Programme' by K & H Cowling for each pupil, and it is proposed that this programme will provide a continuity link between St Monan's and High SchooI. IT support is also being explored and specific software programmes are now available in the classroom e.g. Clicker. Word processing skills are now built into the classroom timetable.

In addition new reading books have been purchased which provide high interest age-appropriate materials specifically for boys who have a low reading ability. New spelling materials, 'Read, Write and Spell High Frequency Words' by J & P Duckworth has also been purchased. Every Class Teacher has been provided with a booklet called, 'Supporting Dyslexia in the Classroom', provided by Desktop Publishing Company.

We are now looking to explore new resources and strategies for those pupils who have additional mathematical difficulties and who are struggling with Heinemann Scottish Maths. Busy Bee Maths and multiplication and division wheels have recently been purchased.