Doctor Dyslexia Dude Blog

The Merriam-Webster dictionary is more than just a reference tool—it’s a powerful resource for teaching and learning, especially for students with diverse literacy needs.  Merriam-Webster Whether you follow a structured literacy or balanced literacy approach, incorporating dictionary skills can strengthen foundational reading and writing abilities. Here’s how How the Dictionary Supports Both Approaches Key Literacy Component Structured Literacy Balanced Literacy Phonics and Decoding Provides pronunciation symbols for explicit teaching of sound-letter relationships. Supports decoding of unfamiliar words during guided or independent reading. Syllable Division Reinforces systematic instruction in breaking words into syllables for decoding and spelling.  Helps students identify syllable patterns during shared or independent reading to improve fluency. Morphology Highlights prefixes, roots, and suffixes for explicit word structure instruction. Encourag...

The dictionary remains one of the most effective yet underutilized tools for literacy and language learning.  Image generated by OpenAI's DALL·E tool. Its evidence-based design supports essential skills like decoding, pronunciation, and vocabulary acquisition, aligning with proven literacy practices. Features such as pronunciation symbols, syllable breakdowns, and word origins empower learners to decode words independently and deepen their language understanding. High ROI with Low Impact The dictionary is a low-cost resource with significant benefits. It requires minimal infrastructure, making it an accessible tool for classrooms, libraries, and homes.  Students gain the skills to approach unfamiliar words confidently, reinforcing self-reliance and comprehension without the need for expensive programs or ongoing costs. Scaling Across Schools and Districts Scaling the use of dictionaries in literacy instruction is straightforward and impactful: Professional Development : Train ...

The dictionary may not be the flashiest tool in education, but it’s undeniably one of the most practical. Unlike packaged curriculums that cost thousands of dollars, the dictionary offers a simple and affordable way to teach literacy skills when used correctly. At the 2024 OK Adult Education & Literacy Conference, my session, "Crack the Code: Dictionary Pronunciation," focused on this very idea. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising how this straightforward method could teach students so much.  One attendee noted, “Such an easy idea that I've never heard of to teach a student so many things,” while another declared, “I’ll never look at a dictionary the same again.” What makes this approach so powerful is its simplicity. The dictionary provides everything needed to teach foundational skills like phonemic awareness and phonics, along with deeper concepts like word meaning, parts of speech, and morphology.  By focusing on pronunciation symb...

In education and media, we often focus on isolated themes like curriculum design, representation, and social equity. However, a holistic approach to student identity demands that we explore these elements in combination. The Venn diagram in this post visually represents the interconnectedness of three key factors: Linguistics (Structured Literacy), Media Representation, and Race. At their intersection lies the core of student identity—a sense of belonging that is fundamental for academic success and personal development. The Power of Linguistics: Structured Literacy Linguistics (Structured Literacy) forms the bedrock of how students access, understand, and utilize language in education. This includes not only grammar and pronunciation but also vocabulary choices, sentence structure, and the organization of ideas. For students, especially those with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, a strong linguistic foundation is crucial for building confidence and competence in the cl...

We are thrilled to announce that Vice President Kamala Harris will be speaking at a rally in Green Bay this Thursday, Oct. 17. The campaign is offering you exclusive content creator access, providing a unique opportunity to capture and share this powerful event. As someone who now sees themselves in this role, I can personally say it has been an empowering experience—one that allowed me to truly connect with the energy of the movement and share that feeling with my family. This is more than just an event; it’s a moment to reflect on and be part of something bigger, something that resonates far beyond the rally itself. You can feel it. The beat, the energy, the excitement, and the hope are all around. We have found it—"A New Way Forward."  As we sit and wait for VP Kamala Harris to speak in Green Bay, it feels like we are on the edge of something transformative, a turning point for our future.  This same energy and hope must be carried into addressing the educational challenge...

On October 10th, I received an email from the Harris-Walz campaign inviting me to their rally in Green Bay (GB), Wisconsin. One line stood out: “The campaign would love to consider you for exclusive content creator access!” I was intrigued but also confused—I’ve never thought of myself as a content creator. Still, curiosity got the best of me, and I filled out the form. A few days later, I received my “Table A” access instructions, and suddenly, I was on my way to my first political rally at age 46.  Governor Tim Walz, Evers, and Whitmer I brought my two boys, ages 10 and 7, to the rally, making it a family event. From the moment we arrived, the energy was palpable. After skipping the long line, we were greeted by campaign staff who treated us like VIPs. My boys were wide-eyed as they watched the security teams and law enforcement around us. It was exciting for them, but it was also a reminder for me—this was their introduction to democracy in action.  As I listened to the spe...