• Minimize noise and visual distractions in and outside the classroom, including flickering light bulbs

Check the visibility of your board from all areas of your classroom – flickering lights can trigger petit mal.

• LD students should sit alongside well-motivated children or a “study buddy” whom they can ask to clarify instructions for them either during or after class.

Surround the poorly behaved with well motivated workers!

Many SLD students will latch on to a friend who will read the odd word – tell them what to do next etc.

• Classrooms should be organized so that movement around the room is as quiet as possible.

• Place the LD student in the front, middle of the class, thus reducing the angle of eye-to-board-to-book contact and minimizing distractions.

Virtually all classrooms in the Senior School are arranged in lines facing the board.  Being at an angle to the board adds additional difficulties for dyslexic students.

• Place left-handers next to each other to reduce arm conflict.

Or seat left and right-handers together with the non-writing arm next to each other.

• Resources in the classroom should be clearly marked and neatly arranged so students can find things easily.

• Provide “fidgeters” with appropriate materials to manipulate.   Bookmarks and bits of paper are less easily dropped than pencils.  Depriving those who require the physical sensory stimulation of manipulative objects just leads them to search for something else.

Students who rely on their Kinaesthetic learning skills may well need something to hold or touch whilst they listen.

Kinaesthetic learners find writing notes extremely difficult – they need to listen to what is being said – if they are writing they are unlikely to absorb the information being given to them.

• Allow the students who need it to move around. Provide opportunities for physical action, such as handing out books, pacing in the rear of the classroom, doing an errand, washing the blackboard, getting a drink of water, or going to the bathroom.

Some physical movement can often “recharge” a student and make them ready to concentrate and start learning again.

• The working environment should be quiet, non-distracting and attractive.

Attractive comfortable classrooms are essential.  Seating is a real issue for learners.  Look at what we give teachers to sit on – and what we give students.  Could you manage a day on a plastic chair – and give your best?