Science at KS2 and dyslexia

Science activities at KS2 contain more steps and instructions which will be challenging to remember as there is a broader scientific vocabulary to learn and put in context. Sourcing references and the use of charts and graphs will need support.

Discussions about work may be challenging because of terminology and remembering the sequence of the steps involved.

The dyslexic pupil may struggle to think of several comparisons at once as this needs them to retain a lot of facts and have quick retrieval.

You can:

• Help the pupil plan an activity; have resources ready and plan the stages in sequence.
• Use KS1 strategies to prepare the pupil for new vocabulary in advance.
• Find an amusing way of differentiating between opposites such as:
• West to east = We Never Eat Sweets.
•  Positive is plus, negative is not.
• Use a phrase to remember the order of the planets - Mum Very Easily Makes Jelly, She Uses Nothing Purple = Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus Neptune, Pluto.  Or get the pupils to think of their own way of remembering key facts.
• Give step-by-step support to critical thinking skills, using visual clues and recording facts in a simple form. Keep it visual - use charts and graphs with as much colour as possible so the different areas are delineated. Ensure that the parts of the graph are clearly labelled.
• As in KS1 think about alternative methods to written recording.