Why keep a log

A log turns a worry into clear facts. Teachers respond well to dated, specific notes. Your notes help the school decide on next steps.

This log does not diagnose anything. In Canada, a licensed professional, usually a psychologist, diagnoses dyslexia. Rules vary by province. In Quebec, a speech-language pathologist also assesses reading and language.

How to use it

1. Pick a regular time, such as after dinner.
2. Spend 5 minutes writing what you saw that day.
3. Write what happened, not what you think it means.
4. Keep going for 4 weeks.
5. Bring the log to your next school meeting.

What to watch for

Note what you see. Skip what you did not see.

• Guesses at words from the first letter or the picture
• Reads a word on one page, then misses it on the next
• Mixes up letter sounds after classmates have learned them
• Reads slowly or with a lot of effort
• Spells the same word several different ways
• Avoids reading or homework
• Gets tired, upset or has a sore stomach before reading
• Understands a story well when you read it aloud
• Tells great stories but struggles to write them down
• Has trouble with rhymes or breaking words into sounds

Good notes versus vague notes

Daily entry template

Copy this block for each day.

Date:
Activity (book, homework, game):
Time spent:
What went well:
What was hard:
Exact words misread or misspelled:
Mood before / during / after:
Help I gave:

Weekly summary template

Fill this in at the end of each week.

Week (1, 2, 3 or 4):
Days logged:
Patterns I noticed:
Things that helped:
Things that did not help:
Questions for the teacher:

Week by week plan

After 4 weeks

• Count how many days had hard moments
• Circle patterns that repeat
• Attach 2 or 3 writing samples
• Book a meeting with the teacher
• Use the School Meeting Prep Worksheet to plan

Keep it kind

Do not log in front of your child. Keep the notes private between you and the school. Celebrate good days in the log too.