We will build our reading skills using an approach based on the Science of Reading. This approach focuses on helping students connect letters with their sounds. This differs from teaching methods that involve reading pictures and guessing. Instead of guessing, we work to learn the correct English codes so that we can accurately read the words on the page.

How I structure a lesson:

After a brief check-in, we'll take some time to build word power. This is where we will build our knowledge of phonics and practice high-frequency words. 

Then, we practice our fluency because there is a direct correlation between increasing reading fluency and reading comprehension. Fluency consists of four parts: rate, expression, accuracy, and automaticity. I will explain these to students, and they will have some choice about where they'd like to focus.  

From there, we will select a text at the appropriate level for your child. I determine your child's reading level from a brief assessment that I give in the initial tutoring session. Based on that information, I will give your child some reading options at their reading level. These readings come from Reading A-Z, Epic Reading, and Readworks.  I like to give students options so that they can read something that interests them. When we're reading, we'll go over story words, and I'll ask lots of comprehension questions. When we run across words we don't know, or when we don't understand what we're reading, we'll work on it together. 

In these sessions, I find that students occasionally need brain breaks. If a child needs such a break, I try to keep these to 2-3 minutes at a time so that we can spend as much of our time reading as possible.

My teaching philosophy:

I specialize in helping reluctant readers feel more confident in their reading skills. When children feel nervous to learn, it shuts down the learning process. I normalize giving it your best shot, and I create an environment in which we strive for great things. One of my class expectations is that we will never give up. 

When we are learning together, students will be using their brains a lot, but that doesn't mean we can't learn joyfully. I have a variety of props and puppets that I bring out if the occasion calls for it. I try to match the energy level of the students. I also try to figure out what interests the student and fold that into the lesson in some way. 

If you are interested in a tutoring time not listed in my availability, please send me a message. The hours for my other teaching role are shifting, and as they do, I can offer new times to families on Outschool. I do not tutor on weekends at this point, but I will have some new daytime and evening slots opening soon.