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Empowering Dyslexic Readers: Skills Practice with a Dyslexic Educator

Join our dyslexia reading workshop! This is a safe space led by a dyslexic educator who truly understands the journey. Practice and refine your reading skills with someone who has firsthand experience and insight into dyslexic thinking.
Hub of Curiosity
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(707)
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Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per week
Assessment
Parent may request evaluation feedback on learner participation and demonstration of understanding. These points will be evaluated through class participation.

Class Experience

Welcome to our unique class designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for learners to practice their reading skills. What sets this class apart is that it is led by an educator who is also dyslexic, offering a level of understanding that is often missing in traditional settings. Most classes for dyslexic learners are taught by neurotypical educators who have taken courses on how to teach dyslexic thinkers. In contrast, Judith fully understands the process of learning to read and refining reading skills from personal experience.
In this class, we will focus on reading and enjoying the whimsical poems of Shel Silverstein from his beloved collection, "Where the Sidewalk Ends." Silverstein’s playful language and imaginative themes make his poems an excellent choice for engaging dyslexic learners, providing a mix of fun and challenge that encourages improvement in reading fluency and comprehension. Each session will involve reading poems aloud, discussing their meaning, and exploring the creative illustrations that accompany them.

Our goal is to create a nurturing space where learners can build their confidence and develop their reading skills without fear of judgment. The shared experience of our dyslexic educator ensures that each learner feels understood and supported throughout their journey. Join us in this empowering class, where understanding and creativity come together to foster a love of reading and learning.

The pace of our class and our selection of poems is largely dictated by the needs of our learners.  Judith will adjust the pace and reading selection to ensure a perfect fit!  Below is a list of the first 10 poems we have earmarked to read together as a group, but this is likely to change based on learner led needs.  

The Acrobats
I Must Remember
Captain Hook
It’s Dark in Here
Listen to the Mustn’ts 
Smart
Boa Constrictor 
One Inch Tall
Where the Sidewalk Ends
The Crocodile’s Toothache

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Shell Silverstein has a few poems that deal with darker themes like death. We will not be reading those poems in class. We will be focusing on his lighter, more whimsical poems.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2018
5.0
707reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Judith Smetana
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Judith Smetana
California Teaching Certificate
Maura Knowles
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Andrea Phillips
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Melissa Riggs
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Melissa Riggs
Kentucky Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Melissa Riggs
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Idaho
Giselle S. Veach
Master's Degree in Education from University of North Texas
Melissa Riggs
Bachelor's Degree in International Business from The Ohio State University
Judith Smetana
Bachelor's Degree in Communications from San Francisco State Universtiy
Maura Knowles
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Idaho
Giselle S. Veach
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Idaho
Giselle S. Veach
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management from Nova Southeastern University
Meagan Tauber
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of North Texas
Melissa Riggs
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Arizona State University
McKenzi Aguirre
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tiffany Barnes
Associate's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Judith Smetana
Judith (she/her) is a seasoned educator with 30 years of classroom and online teaching experience. Her expertise spans multiple subjects, including Mathematics, Geography, and History (American, Ancient, and World History), focusing on details of World Wars—advanced placement and honors classes. Judith holds a TEFL and TESOL certification and several school licenses, demonstrating her comprehensive qualifications in language education. She has developed a reputation for effective test-taking strategies and thorough test preparation methods for high school and college exams. Her specialized knowledge extends to preparing students for standardized tests. Beyond her classroom work, Judith has honed her skills in grant writing, further broadening her educational impact. Her diverse skill set and decades of experience make her a valuable resource for students seeking to advance their language mastery and scholarly accomplishments. Judith's dedication to education and ability to adapt to traditional and online learning environments have made her a respected figure in the teaching community.

See Judith's intro video here:  https://youtu.be/tbU7v4eHeYs

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Live Group Class
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$10

weekly
1x per week
25 min

Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-6 learners per class

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