This newsletter has been created to inform and educate people about current
findings that can help a struggling reader. We also hope that the content of
the newsletter will inspire those who struggle, that there is hope.
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The Reading Corner
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Inferring and Vocabulary
Inferring is probably one of the most important strategies we apply to reading and to life. If our boss
looks grumpy when we get to work, we could infer that it is probably not the best day to ask for a raise.
If our friend looks down, we could infer that she probably needs a hug. Reading someone's actions, words,
and feelings enable us to reach out and connect. Inferring, when applied to reading, allows us the same
opportunity. We can use the author's language or tone to infer additional meaning that might not be
spelled out in the text. We can use a character's personality traits to predict how he/she might react to
a particular conflict in a story. Inferring helps us connect and predict and can aid in understanding and
finding meaning to help us comprehend.
Inferring is a great tool to use when encountering unfamiliar vocabulary. When readers encounter unfamiliar
words, they can use clues from the text, such as a picture, reading ahead, or rereading, to help them get an
idea of what the word means. (Make sure they have decoded the unfamiliar word first to check for correct
pronunciation, which is often a stumbling block.) Using the clues offered around them and making an inference,
they are often able to get the gist of the word. Inferring basically means to read between the lines and get to
the deeper meaning. This is another wonderful strategy, when paired with decoding skills, that can help readers
understand and comprehend and – most importantly – enjoy what they are reading.
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Famous Dyslexic Spotlight
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This section contains names of famous or recognized people who have been reported in the media,
on the Web, and in books as having some form of dyslexia or struggling in school.
Orlando Bloom - Actor
Orlando Bloom was born in Canterbury, Kent, England, on January 13, 1977. Orlando attended St.
Edmunds School in Canterbury but struggled in many courses because of dyslexia. He did embrace
the arts, however, and enjoyed pottery, photography, and sculpting. He also participated in school
plays and was active at his local theater.
Encouraged by his mother, he and his sister began studying poetry and prose, eventually giving
readings at the Kent Festival. Orlando and Samantha won many poetry and Bible reciting competitions.
Then Orlando, who always idolized larger-than-life characters, gravitated towards serious acting.
At the age of 16, he moved to London and joined the National Youth Theatre, spending two seasons there
and gaining a scholarship to train with the British American Drama Academy. Like many young actors,
he also auditioned for a number of television roles to further his career, landing bit parts in
British television shows "Casualty," "Midsomer Murders," and "Smack the Pony." He even appeared in
the critically acclaimed movie "Wilde."
He then attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It was there, in 1998, that Orlando fell
three stories from a rooftop terrace and broke his back. Despite fears that he would be permanently
paralyzed, he quickly recovered and returned to the stage. As fate would have it, seated in the
audience one night in 1999 was a director named Peter Jackson. After the show, he met with Orlando and
asked him to audition for his new set of movies. After graduating from Guildhall, Orlando began work on
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, spending 18 months in New Zealand, bringing to life "Legolas," a part that
would make him a household name. Today, Orlando is one of the busiest and most sought-after actors in the
industry.
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Inspiration
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"Steven, age 56, could not read. He was dyslexic and had never learned to read. We went through the
Intensive Phonics method, and he learned the skills that helped him to read. It worked immediately."
- Doraine Bingham, Bloomington, Minnesota
View more success stories.
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Product Highlight
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Mastery, Drill, and Practice sessions, including 2,800 words, follow each lesson to
help students internalize the skills learned in the lesson. Students phonetically decode
each word and have the option of recording it and playing it back to compare their pronunciation
with the narrator's. This feature of the software is great for additional practice and reinforcement
to ensure that the skills learned become automatic.
Click here to find out how you can save!