Agatha Christie

This was on a newsletter I get that gives tips for struggling readers

http://athome.readinghorizons.com/emails/newsletters/2010/newsletter_november.aspx

Agatha Christie (1890-1976)

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie was a British crime fiction writer. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott.

Agatha Christie is the world’s best-known mystery writer and the all-time bestselling author of any genre other than William Shakespeare. Over a billion copies of her books have been sold in the English language, and another billion have been sold in over 45 foreign languages. In a writing career that spanned more than half a century, Agatha Christie wrote 80 novels and short-story collections. She also wrote over a dozen plays, including The Mousetrap, which opened in London on November 25, 1952, and is now the longest continuously running play in theatrical history, and And Then There Were None (also kown as Ten Little Indians), which opened in the West End of London in a new adaption by Kevin Elyot in 2005.

She was able to use her creative mind to her advantage. She was known for coming up with ideas for stories while shopping for a hat or overhearing a conversation at a café. She did not let her struggles with dyslexia overcome her; she overcame them and succeeded in grand style.

Self confidence

I am learning that self esteem is usually low in kids with Dyslexia. I suppose it is because they compare themselves to others in class, friends and siblings. Maybe they innately know they learn things differently or see the world in a different way. We always strive to give our daughter the confidence she needs to try new things and the courage to make mistakes. We applaud her efforts no matter the outcome. "Try your best" is our motto.

When succeeding we ask her if she is proud of herself. Since 2nd grade started I have heard heart wrenching comments like "I am dumb" "I am horrible at math" you don't love me because I can't learn this" no amount of reassurance has helped so I turned for other ideas/advice. These are a few things that I picked up.....

 One person suggested having a list handy of famous people who were also Dyslexic and talk about what they have accomplished..ie;  Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie, Tom Cruise, just to name a few. At Cindy's age she has little reference to most of these people but will be handy for later.

I got another suggestion from a website and tried it. It seemed to be successful at that moment.
She was frustrated with math and said "I can't do anything!" and threw her head down on the table.
I pulled out a small whiteboard and made a line across the top and one down the middle. I put "good at" on one side at the top and then wrote "harder" on the other.

I had her tell me things to write on the "I am good at" column. We listed everything from art to playing piano to getting herself dressed in the morning. Some were silly, some about school, some about everyday things.
Then she had to write on the other side what was harder for her. There were only 2 things listed...math and reading. She couldn't come up with any others. I was worried she might write more but that was it. Then we talked about it. Wow, did it make a difference. I haven't had to do it since but will use it again when needed.