- What is this class in a nutshell?

This class is designed to teach students to become successful, strong readers! The goal of this class is to provide individualized instruction based on the needs of each student. Students from all proficiency levels will benefit from this class, including students with additional reading needs, such as Dyslexia. The curriculum is multi-sensory, diagnostic, prescriptive, systematic, sequential, and explicit. 

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- What curriculum or program will be used?

The Orton-Gillingham approach is highly regarded in the field of Dyslexia. UFLI Foundations is a research-based and evidence-based program that is proven to work. This class combines the best of both of these worlds into one fun, engaging class!

The Orton-Gillingham approach:

*Multi-sensory - Students may be asked to write, trace, sky write, or even write in the dirt outside (if possible). This approach has been show to increase skill retention!

*Diagnostic - Constantly assessing to inform instruction.

*Prescriptive - The skills presented in this are based on the needs of the student. Constant feedback and changes to the scope and sequence are made based on monitoring and data during each lesson. 

*Systematic - Carefully designed instruction for a fully successful reader.

*Sequential - A scope and sequence that builds, so that students are constantly reviewing and using previous skills.

*Explicit - Instruction delivered intentionally.

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- What can I expect from an average class?

The first class will be diagnostic, meaning that assessments will be used to determine the needs of the student, as well as where to begin in our scope and sequence within the class. Depending on the duration of the assessment, instruction may begin during the first class or may begin during the second class.

Every class from this point will be structured in a similar way to increase student comfort and maximize instructional time. This class is designed to be highly engaging, offering immediate feedback and support, and building the confidence of young, struggling readers.

Students will receive highly structured, systematic instruction in the foundational skills of reading through phonics. Students will be asked to encode (spell) and decode (read) repeatedly throughout the lesson. Daily, students will follow this or similar routine:

1) Visual Drill 2) Blending Drill 3) Word Work Drill 4) Sentence Reading 5) Sentence Writing.

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- What is the teacher like?

My students call me Mrs. Ashley! I LOVE teaching! There is nothing like teaching a student to read! My teaching style is energetic, passionate, and excited for all things learning! Research says that the most effective form of instruction is direct and explicit, and this is what I aim to do! I teach through visuals, question and answering, motivational feedback, and interactive PowerPoint/slideshows. Students will be moving, writing, answering, and reading during lessons, ensuring they are actively engaged. 

The gift of reading is truly one of the greatest! I hope to help as many students as possible.

Thank you for your interest in this class! I hope to see you soon!