IMPORTANT NOTE:  Content in this course builds in order to ensure progress.  The course is scheduled for 3 days per week - over 7 weeks - in the same daily time slot.  But I will accept a minimum enrollment of 6 weeks if your schedule requires this change.  Please do not enroll if your student will NOT be available for that period of time.

Each session incorporates the most effective brain based reading strategies that I used during my 34 years of teaching children to read in schools and tutoring 1:1 on Outschool since 2020.  

Learners will be assessed for their entry level and placed into the program materials that match their current skill level, or point of need (Beginning, Extension, or Challenge).  Because not all materials work for all children, I use a combination of three powerful programs (Orton Gillingham, SIPPS, The Science of Reading), and an individualized program will be created for your child to learn or improve their skill in all five pillars of reading. 
(see https://www.reallygreatreading.com/content/what-are-five-pillars-reading)

Using structured research-based literacy strategies with a systematic scope and sequence, students gain skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for reading.  They master foundational skills through EXPLICIT instructional ROUTINES focused on phonological awareness, spelling-sounds, and sight words/syllables, with immediate application to reading connected text.

Adapted for success online, this reading program is perfect for setting a strong foundation for the beginning reader;  for filling in the gaps for the struggling reader who has not yet succeeded in "cracking the code";  and for those students who are right on track but would like to excel by working 1:1 with an experienced reading teacher.  Parents are always amazed at how quickly their learners make progress!

What should you expect?
First meeting: Get acquainted time with BOTH learner and parent to develop rapport; answer parent/teacher questions; explain routines; conduct an initial placement Assessment (a non-threatening skills evaluation to determine program entry level).

Subsequent meetings: The level of skills covered will be based on the assessment from the first meeting, growth and progress, and communication with parent/caregiver.  Each session will be tailored to your child's specific needs, proceed systematically and routinely, include rapport building, and the activities described below.

BEGINNING Level Skills (Developmental Reading Stage:  ALPHABETIC)
*  rereading the previous story for fluency & comprehension
*  phonemic awareness
*  phonics & word decoding
* reading mixed word lists, phrases & sentences
*  sight words
*  reading a new story 

EXTENSION Level Skills (Developmental Reading Stage:  COMPLEX SPELLING PATTERNS)
* rereading the previous story for fluency & comprehension
* phonemic awareness
*  phonics & word decoding
* reading mixed word lists, phrases & sentences
* sight words
* introduction to a new story to complete at home

CHALLENGE Level Skills (Developmental Reading Stage:  POLYSYLLABIC/MORPHEMIC)
* reading open & closed syllabic patterns
* reading morphological units (including common prefixes, roots, and suffixes)
* sight syllables practice
* reading polysyllabic mixed lists
* reading fluency (from student/teacher chosen text)

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions!