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Frequently asked
questions
How is
Lexion linked to other
literacy programmes we
might be following?
Lexion, in common with
most current approaches
to reading and spelling,
is based on the concept
that children need a
firm foundation of
phonological awareness.
This includes
understanding the link
between speech sounds
and their written
counterparts. English is
the most complex
spelling system for
children to understand,
as the links between our
spoken language and the
written form can be very
confusing.
Lexion is being used
with whole class groups
and small groups in the
UK, in tandem with other
approaches that they are
using, including
‘Synthetic Phonics’. It
is also used extensively
to support individuals
who need extra help with
phonological awareness,
language development,
and spelling skills.
See the
Michael Jones’ article
for Special Children
on our Lexion page.
How does
using Lexion support the
Inclusion Development
Programme?
Lexion is being used in
UK schools as part of
the three waves of the
Inclusion Development
Programme.
In
Wave 1
‘High quality inclusive
teaching is supported by
effective whole-school
policies and frameworks,
clearly targeted on all
learners’ needs and
prior learning.’
Lexion is used
throughout the school,
as teachers incorporate
Lexion into whole class
teaching of literacy.
In
Wave 2
’...provision is
designed to increase
rates of progress and
secure learning for
groups of learners that
puts them back on course
to meet or exceed the
national expectations.’
Schools use Lexion with
targeted groups, who may
require short-term
intervention to support
their understanding of
the reading and spelling
process, and to support
developing skills.
In
Wave 3
‘Expectations are to
accelerate and maximise
progress and to minimise
performance gaps. This
may involve support from
a specialist teacher,
highly trained Teaching
Assistant or academic
mentor, to support
learners towards the
achievement of very
specific targets.’
Lexion is used
extensively throughout
the UK with individual
pupils, often with
Teaching Assistant
support.
Lexion is being used as
part of effective
Individual Education
Plans, for pupils with
dyslexia, as well as
those who require
specific input with
emerging understanding
and skills. Lexion is
recognised as being
valuable in supporting
pupils with learning
English as an additional
language, and children
who are anxious about
communicating in school.
Go to:
http://www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primary/features/inclusion/sen/idp
How does Lexion support
‘Dyslexia friendly’
schools?
ICT (information and
computer technology) is
recognised as a key tool
to help Dyslexic
learners in the
classroom in both
learning and teaching
experiences, as well as
accessing or recording
written information.
When ICT is used
effectively, many of the
barriers to and
differences in learning
can be reduced or
overcome.
Lexion provides an
in-depth assessment of
an individual’s
strengths and areas for
development. It gives a
detailed report of the
pupil’s learning
profile, and instant
access to hundreds of
individually tailored
games and activities.
Lexion also records, in
minute detail, the
pupil’s progress over
time.
Many schools use Lexion
to assess and provide
individualised
programmes for pupils
with dyslexia. This is
most effective when the
whole school uses Lexion
as part of the teaching
of literacy in whole
classes and groups.
Lexion can also be used
in the home, with school
and family working
together to maximize
progress.
Go to:
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/DFSPack.html
How can Lexion be used
to support learning at
home?
Lexion has a unique
feature: school staff or
tutors can download the
software onto pupils’
home PCs or laptops.
Pupils can then access
activities that can be
sent to the home
computer via email or
USB memory stick. This
enables home and school
to work closely together
to maximise motivation
and progress.
What do other
practitioners say about
Lexion?
See our Lexion page for
links to several
articles
What research is being
done with Lexion?
Three pieces of national
research are currently
being carried out in the
UK.
‘Glue ear’ and
reading and spelling:
supporting children
using interactive
software’.
Michael Jones,
Educational Consultant,
is using Lexion to
support children with a
history of otitis media
(‘Glue ear’), associated
conductive hearing loss
and subsequent reading
and spelling
difficulties. Lexion is
being used to assess
children’s needs, set up
a tuition programme at
home, and track their
progress.
Link to Michael’s
article for British
Association of Teachers
of the Deaf, and Journal
of Assistive
Technologies and
Go to:
www.talk4meaning.co.uk/research
‘Children with
selective mutism: using
interactive software to
support confident
speaking at home and
school’.
Children with Selective
Mutism can speak at
home, but find
themselves unable to
talk with unfamiliar
people, and this poses
particular problems at
school. Michael Jones,
Educational Consultant,
is using Lexion and
other interactive
software packages to
help children in the
early stages of becoming
confident speakers in
school.
Go to:
www.talk4meaning.co.uk/research
and the
second ‘Bulletin’
article
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