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  Welcome to our new look newsletter

The Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand provides a voice for and services to the estimated one in ten New Zealanders who have dyslexia, including 70,000 schoolchildren. In 2009 we had international dyslexia expert Neil MacKay visit NZ and present his insightful introductory 4D | FOR DYSLEXIA workshops to over 1300 educators throughout NZ. We also substantially updated the DFNZ and 4D School websites, expanded the 4D School Guide, and launched a number of new web-spaces; 4D Edge, 4D Home and 4D Workplace. It was a busy year!

In 2010 we remain committed to taking action for dyslexia in every sector of the NZ community and building on the resources that we provide. Read on to find out what we are doing…



In this issue:


Highlights:


Talking Pages – our websites just got more dyslexia friendly with the addition of a ‘Listen to text’ feature

4D Virtual Classroom web-space now live. Hear what students have to say about their classroom experiences and learn how best to help them. Check out www.4d.org.nz/virtual

Book Now and save 25% - 4D Edge Workshops in May/June for Parents | Teachers | Principals | Specialists | Employers & Employees | Preschool – Full details at  www.4d.org.nz/workshops
4D now extended to help the Early Childhood Education sectorfull details below.
Education Gazette feature 8 Feb 2010 Driving the National Curriculum through inclusion – ‘Get it right for dyslexia – get it right for all’   For this and other recent media articles click here.

Regular Updates
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Dyslexia Foundation

4D School – NZ Schools taking the next step

4D Home – positive action for parents

4D Workplace – creating a new business reality






Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand – what’s new


Becoming more dyslexia friendly is a step-by-step process, for schools, at home, in the workplace, and even for the Dyslexia Foundation.

Listen to this page with proReader


With a “listen to text” feature now installed on all of our web sites we have taken another step towards making our resources available to a wider audience and have taken the stress out of the experience for some.

It was surprisingly simple and cost effective and we would encourage others to consider doing the same.




We are proud to announce this exciting new workshop series for educators, employers & employees, and parents.

In June 2009, Mr Mackay touched down in New Zealand to run a sold-out nationwide series of 4D workshops for New Zealand educators, introducing his advanced insights into dyslexia and how to improve the learning environment for Kiwi schoolchildren. Feedback from the 1300 participants of these thought-provoking workshops was overwhelmingly positive, with significant demand for his return.

Strong interest from employer, parent, and pre-school groups has led to a considerably expanded format.

Earlybird discount of 25% apply to many workshops, but only until February 28 – so book now and secure your place.


Discover more about Neil Mackay and what we call the 4D Edge by visiting www.4d.org.nz/edge


In recognition of their contribution to dyslexia in NZ these workshops have been sponsored by the Ministry of Education through their Quality Teachers Partnership Fund.



Help us spread the word!

A workshop information and registration form is available for you to circulate or place on your notice board. Please help us to spread the word. Click here to download form.








 

4D Virtual Classroom now live

Thanks to generous funding from the JR McKenzie Trust, we are excited to bring you an innovative web space that gives ‘the students voice’ a unique place to be heard.

The 4D Virtual Classroom web-space is now live. Hear what students have to say about their classroom experiences and learn how best to help them.

Our web resources simply wouldn’t be complete without this – the best way to help dyslexic kids in the classroom is to take the time to listen and then challenge yourself to find ways to accommodate and support. EMPATHY followed by simple adjustments makes such a huge difference to life at school for these students.


Check it out at www.4d.org.nz/virtual

 

 

 

 

4D Program expanded to Early Childhood

As awareness around dyslexia increases, we have been receiving questions from Pre-school teachers along the lines of:

“Is there any benefit in us knowing about dyslexia?”

“How do we know if our program is helping or hindering our dyslexic children?”

“I know enough to know that we are missing some opportunities, where do I learn more about working with very young dyslexic children?

From parents we continuously hear that if they had known their child was dyslexic earlier that they would have made slightly different decisions.

It’s this feedback that prompted us to expand our successful 4D programme to pre-schools and to support this we invited Neil Mackay to create a half day workshop to address these burning questions among others.

 

 

Workshop Reminder


June 3: 4D | Pre-school – the ABC of early identification


A half day workshop for pre school specialists to identify behaviours that “set alarm bells ringing” without attempting to label or categorise. Dyslexia awareness will be linked with the achievement of typical milestones to support participants to develop their “dyslexia radar” and to develop and implement simple and effective support strategies that will better prepare both child and parent for the transition to primary school years. Sharing good practice and expertise will be a key element of this course.

For more details and to book – go to www.4d.org.nz/workshops

 

 

 

25 January -  “Meeting Individual needs”
 

Two Christchurch schools develop teaching practices that support children with signs of Dyslexia.

Some children in Christchurch are coming home from school feeling happier and less frustrated than they used to be and their parents have noticed……  read more.

 

8 February - ‘Driving the National Curriculum through inclusion – ‘Get it right for dyslexia – get it right for all’

Three irrepressible forces are heading for a potentially productive collision in New Zealand education. They are:

The National Curriculum - a force for empowerment
The National Standards - a force for accountability
Recognition of Dyslexia - a force for releasing the potential of up to 20% of students.

The impact in terms of whole school achievement and attainment could be huge, especially for schools which have the insight and confidence to base their approaches for all students on the principles of dyslexia aware best practice.

It has been argued that the most effective and efficient way for individual schools to derive maximum impact from the implementation of the National Curriculum and National Standards is through the Inclusion strand, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of students with dyslexic type learning needs and preferences.

For the full article written by Neil Mackay click here.


Neil MacKay Workshops Reminder
 

The 2010 workshop series has been designed to accommodate all levels of knowledge and engagement with dyslexia. The weeks format also allows you to progress your confidence step by step, day by day:

Monday 31 May

4D | Dyslexia aware best practice - the new teaching paradigm

Tuesday 1 June

4D | Advanced - achieving the 4D Edge

Wednesday 2 June

4D | Interventions - beyond great teaching, un-sticking the 4%

Thursday 3 June

4D | Leaders - creating change through vision and empowerment


Save 25% - 4D School Earlybird Offer

Staff or those working with students from a registered 4D school will enjoy a 25% discount for registering before February 28 and paying by March 26. Also, book now and your 4D school will receive a free hour of 4D consultation to help create school policy & strategy.

For more details and to book – go to www.4d.org.nz/workshops

 







 

Next Magazine – A LIFE MISREAD

As a child, Sian Jaquet was branded stupid, and she soon came to believe it herself. It would be years before her dyslexia was recognized and her potential fulfilled…..  read the full article here.

Sian Jaquet is also featured on our Inspiring New Zealanders page that is dedicated to inspiring New Zealanders who have turned difference into success – click here

 

 

4D Home web space

DFNZ launched in Dec 2009 the new 4D Home web space which provides advice and practical tips for parents with children who don’t seem to be making the same progress as other children at school. Visit www.4d.org.nz/home


 

Parent & Child Workshop Reminder

May 30: 4D Parent & Child Workshop – creating the connection
Staying connected to your child and their learning can be difficult when the challenges of dyslexia or other differences arise - especially when it comes to homework and learning for tests. Ensuring that your child knows that you understand and are willing to support them is critical for their self esteem and future opportunities as is actually knowing how and what to do.

For more details and to book – go to www.4d.org.nz/workshops

 

 








 

Dyslexia an unwrapped gift

This film asks the question, is dyslexia a disability or an ability and goes onto to highlight research that suggests dyslexics will be the intellectual elite in the digital and visual picture packed world of tomorrow. "An Unwrapped Gift" features Tom West, author of In the Minds Eye.... view the clip

 

 

4D Workplace web space

DFNZ launched in Dec 2009 the new 4D Workplace web space which is an online resource to help employers and employees harness the strengths that dyslexia can bring to business – particularly in creative thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship. Help us to shape this agenda for positive change. Visit www.4d.org.nz/workplace



 

Workplace Workshop Reminder

June 4: 4D Workplace Workshop – celebrating difference, discovering the creative edge

At least 10% of any given workforce will be dyslexic to some degree and individuals will typically think faster than they read, write and get their ideas down on paper – at all levels of employment, from graduates to ground workers. This workshop will provide information on how businesses can help employees, and dyslexic employees can help themselves so as to manifest their potential and add value to the business.


For more details and to book – go to www.4d.org.nz/workshops







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