We wish to produce a book, The Truth About Reading, as a basis for public presentations in schools to teachers, parents and students. This project is a public awareness campaign, based in Vancouver.
People may be aware of labels such as dyslexia and learning disability, but how many know the experience from the inside? This project offers a way for parents and professionals to see this experience from the point of view of Tina McInerney, who was labeled “Learning Disabled” in elementary school.
A poem Tina wrote about her experience was circulated on the web in the alternative learning community. Positive feedback from many encouraged her to take it to another level. Each line of the poem will be illustrated by Tina, using photos and computer graphics in collage format, to express her own story as a child growing up in a world that equated “reading ability” with “intelligence”. She shows the self-esteem issues that resulted from this, and describes her process of self-affirmation. Following her process through the book lets alternative learners also share in this self-affirmation.
An advocate of Alternative Learning methods,Tina shares through poetry and illustrations to reveal her world-view. Others with the same quick-paced thought processes and rapid image recognition will enjoy exploring a book that takes into account the 3-D mind of an alternative learner.
It is a book of hope, understanding and fun! Each page richly illustrated with colorful details combines with descriptive text and poetry. The book will be visual, interactive, informative and moving. It will also feature an extensive resource list, an invaluable asset for both parents and professionals. It will be the basis for the presentations in schools.
This book is for kids who are alternative learners. The goal is to place this book in all schools in BC, not only for teachers to use, but so students who are alternative learners can have a positive example for their future. Rather than feeling loneliness and isolation like Tina had to experience, they can find resonance and connection to help them to realize they are not alone, not wrong, only different. Created by someone whose mind thinks along the same lines as theirs, this book will speak clearly to students labeled Learning Disabled and will connect on a different level from the books by teaching professionals.
For parents of alternative learners, the book and presentations will give hope and connection. With the extensive resource list included, the book shows an alternative learning approach.
For teachers and professionals, this book will be a welcome addition to the work on learning styles and cognitive theory. Looking into the world as seen by Tina, the book shows the affective experience of negative labeling of young students. Teachers and students can work with the book together.
A personal narrative always has greater impact and meaning than a collection of facts. The book,and the presentations will help others join Tina in her journey and discover The Truth about Reading. Initial responses to the first presentations in elementary and high schools has been extremely positive and the sample pages of the book were meaningful to everyone they were presented to.
This page was created with the help of a scribe.