Phonics Fun for Firsties: Reading Through Phonics, Spelling, and Sight Words

This class is meticulously designed to cater to students at a late kindergarten to beginning first-grade reading level, offering robust support in phonics, word recognition, spelling, phonological awareness, and reading fluency. The curriculum is deeply rooted in the principles of Structured Literacy, Science of Reading, and the Orton Gillingham method.

Schedule:
- Frequency: The class convenes three times per week.
- Duration: Each session spans 30 minutes.

Curriculum Overview:
- Screening and Assessment: The initial session includes a comprehensive screening to ascertain each student's optimal starting point in the curriculum. Parents will receive detailed screening results and instructional recommendations by the end of the first week.
- Lesson Structure: Lessons are meticulously crafted to provide a holistic approach to literacy development, incorporating activities such as:
  - Letter Formation: For those who require it, students engage in letter formation exercises.
  - Word and Sentence Dictation: Activities reinforce spelling and word recognition through dictation.
  - Blending: Practice sessions aimed at mastering the skill of blending sounds to form words.
  - Reading Decodable Stories: Utilizing specially designed stories with controlled text to reinforce reading skills.
  - Rapid Word Reading: Exercises designed to enhance reading fluency through rapid word recognition.
  - Syllabication: Instruction on breaking down words into syllables to aid in decoding.
  - Sound Spelling Patterns: Learning and practicing patterns of sound and spelling relationships.
  - Multisensory Activities: Incorporating multiple senses into learning activities to optimize retention and understanding.
  - High-Frequency Word Reading: Focus on frequently occurring words to improve recognition and fluency.

Progress Monitoring:
Bi-monthly progress monitoring assessments are conducted to track student growth and inform necessary adjustments to the lessons to meet the individual needs of each learner.

Learner Expectations:
To maximize the benefits of the tutoring sessions, learners are expected to:
- Attend all sessions.
- Remain focused and engaged throughout the class.
- Be punctual; sessions will wait up to 10 minutes for late arrivals.
- Utilize a tablet, laptop, or desktop for optimal learning.
- Have necessary supplies readily available.
- Seek support if needed.
- Wear a headset for noise cancellation.
- Provide a 24-hour notice for rescheduling sessions; no-shows will not be eligible for refunds or make-up sessions.
- Communicate via the learner tab for any messages to the teacher, with a response time of 24 hours.
- Understand that practice is crucial for success, and mastery of foundational skills prepares students for advanced fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.