Opening the door to reading for enjoyment starts with a strong foundation.  We all have to learn the building blocks first, and we don't learn them the same way. This is why learning with a multisensory method is key.  I will develop young readers using the Orton-Gillingham approach. This approach builds phonemic awareness, teaches decoding, and helps make sense of a confusing world of words.  

Using the science of cognitive learning, I create custom learning plans that help students meet their learning goals.  I focus on understanding your child and providing the help and support they need to be successful.  Studies show that young people require active socialization to develop good social habits and maintain positive mental health; I believe in the power of small groups or 1:1 active learning environments.  

Participants will:
-Gain knowledge of phonemic awareness, decoding skills (spelling), and language comprehension
-Learn how morphemes are combined to form words
-Understand syntax, knowing the correct word order to form phrases and sentences
-Understand semantics, the aspect of language that has to do with word meaning
* Have the opportunity to practice, practice, practice because "Facts can be taught quickly, but skills come slowly" Anna Gillingham 

Class Structure: (please note: this is only a general outline. Each class is built on the previous class and individualized for your child's needs)
1st session: Quick informal assessment to check the background knowledge of students and to assess where our starting point will be.  We will do getting-to-know-each-other activities.  We will also get familiar with the tools we will be using during each session.
Continued sessions: Each class will be structured to include the following: 
Visual Drill, including review of phonemic sounds on cards
Blending Drill, including using sound cards to blend individual sounds into a word
Words to Read & introduction to new sound or concept, this may include writing words dictated to or activity to play a game that involves reading words to review
Oral Reading includes a small passage to be read using echo or choral reading or at times a round-robin where students take turns reading a small portion.
Auditory Drill, this is where students will listen to a sound and write what makes this sound.
Words to Spell, students will use what they have learned to spell words dictated to them.
Sentence Dictation is a chance for students to put everything together and work on writing skills such as capitalization, appearance, punctuation, and of course, spelling.

Key Concepts taught:
Consonant/vowel sounds
Vowel combinations; ee, oo, ai, ea, oa....
Digraphs/blends
R-controlled vowels
Spelling rules
Prefixes/suffixes
Syllable types
* concept order will be taught based on your student's background knowledge and teacher assessment. My philosophy is: Go as quickly as we can but as slow as we need.  All students learn at a different pace my learning plan will reflect their needs. 

Materials Needed for class:
Notebook or paper, pencil, crayons, markers