Based on the model by Kormi-Nouri et al (1994) this study examined the effect of focused and divided attention on the verbal and action memory of dyslexic versus normal students. Fifty dyslexic and normal students were included. Subjects were assessed using verbal and action memory tasks, free recall test, cued recall rest, and an Anagram test. The results indicated that action encoding is more efficient than verbal encoding. In addiction, focused attention improves memory performance and has greater effect on action encoding than verbal encoding. In dyslexic children, presentation of cues improved recall through its effect on facilitation of retrieval.