Advocacy Rap for Dyslexia

Advocacy Rap for Dyslexia
Written by Geoff Schmidt
Performed by Geoff and Brian Schmidt

sorry there's an extra minute of black at the end.

Youre listening to a song
And its about dyslexia
Here youll get the info,
So you wont need an encyclopedia

Ive put together some research
With a focus on young learners
Youngsters in primary school
Whose reading development is hindered

Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Its an advocacy song
And its about dyslexia

Be on the lookout
For symptoms and warning signs
There are quite a few
But Ill just give you five

Theres trouble with ABCs
Or struggles with spelling and rhyming
Mixed letter and sound correspondence
And difficulty with number sequencing

A good way to help your students
Who are struggling with language in general
Is to provide different ways of understanding
And place an emphasis on the visual

Providing an image that accompanies the word
That the students can see as well as read
Gives them multiple methods of learning
Both of which they may need.

Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Its an advocacy song
And its about dyslexia

Communication is important
With both the teachers and student
To find the best way the student learns
And employ methods that are most prudent

Get to know the children
And find out their educational needs
So you can use specific tactics
To bring them up to speed

Give the student direct instruction
And pretend that youre the coach
Of a child who needs one-on-one attention
and a multisensory approach

Youll probably want some help
So here are some tools of the trade
Some technology to help you out
That you can use for aid

Try speech recognition software
Or possibly a book on tape
A Franklin Spelling Ace handheld
Or a just spelling dictionary perhaps

Its also very important
For the student to self-advocate
Develop a personal understanding of dyslexia
And figure ways to self-motivate

Part of this understanding
Can come in the form of education
For fellow classmates who are unfamiliar
With the difficulties risen by such a condition

Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Its an advocacy song
And its about dyslexia

Transforming your classroom
In a few simple ways
Will work wonders for the learners esteem
And keep peer teasing at bay

Provide oral and untimed tests
So the students dont have to write
Provide your version of the lecture notes
So they can be sure the spelling is right

Weve learned a lot today
And well end the song with a list
Of popular figures with dyslexia
Maybe one day your students will be on it

Theres Robin Williams and Tom Cruise
Charles Schultz and Jules Vern
Alexander Graham Bell and Cher
Plus Henry Winkler AKA the Fonz

So keep your teaching multisensory
Make sure each voice is heard
Vary your instruction
So that all your students can learn

Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Its an advocacy song
And its about dyslexia

Dyslexia
Dyslexia
Its an advocacy song
And its about dyslexia

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• advocacy
• rap
• dyslexia