Classes
Private Reading Tutoring
The data is clear. Approximately 66% of American children are unable to read with proficiency by fourth-grade. By adulthood, an astounding 21% of American adults are illiterate. Reading is not just an academic skill, it is a critical life skill that may set a positive life-course trajectory. A strong link exists between uncorrected reading deficiencies and an individual's future earning potential. And unlike learning to speak and understand spoken language, learning to read is not naturally acquired. Reading proficiency is serious stuff!
An instructional approach is aligned with the Science of Reading (SOR) if it focuses on the following five ideas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
This class DOES:
Teach systematically and explicitly, with precise directions and step-by-step procedures
Use decodable text to allow targeted, purposeful practice with targeted phonics skills
Includes explicit instruction of irregular high frequency words
Use multiple texts on the same topic (in Protocol: Multisyllabic Words) to deepen knowledge and vocabulary acquisition
This class does NOT:
Assume students have incidental understanding, which can leave gaping holes in their knowledge
Encourage guessing habits
Encourage memorization of "sight words"
Our first class together involves completing the Informal Decoding Inventory (IDI) for your student. Your learner's data is tracked and used to place them into the appropriate reading instruction level. In subsequent classes, the student experience will include a predictable lesson format with changing word lists. I am careful to track each learner's progression through the skills. Data is collected on every learner during every lesson.
Based on the data of Walpole and McKenna, 'How to Plan Differentiated Reading Instruction' and the Science of Reading, your student will progress through the following skills:
Basic Alphabet Knowledge
Using Letter Sounds
Using Letter Patterns:
Blends & Digraphs
R-Controlled Vowels
Vowel-Consonant-E
Vowel Teams
Multisyllabic Words
Top seller!
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Top seller! -
ESL Conversation
Let's talk about it! This is a conversation based class with a focus on student output.
In this engaging 25 minute conversation skills class, time while fly while discussing a variety of topics and practicing using the English language.
In this class, the student can expect:
cultural exchange regarding daily life, family structures, etiquette and norms
pronunciation correction (including spelling demonstrations for clarity)
a wide variety of curriculum including slides, games and video clips
This class is casual in nature. We often use games as guides for conversation. This class does not formally focus on grammar, reading, or spelling skills. Please book my ESL Grammar, Reading and Spelling class for an academic-style class.
Thousands of students taught worldwide
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Thousands of students taught worldwide -
ESL Grammar, Reading & Spelling
In our first class, we will begin our time together by properly assessing the student's current grammar, reading, and spelling skill levels. This data will inform our work together. Depending on the needs of the student, they may complete a grammar specific assessment (approximately 20 questions, multiple choice), a spelling inventory, a reading inventory and/or an ESL curriculum assessment.
In ongoing classes, the class flow is flexible, based on parent and teacher observations and goals. Some students have no grammar concerns but are struggling with spelling, or vice versa.
This class will primarily be curriculum-based, rather than conversation-based.
Please explore the primary curriculum used for young learners in this class, here.
Adult ESL classes are informed using resources such as Engoo , Elli, and others.
Compliment your English studies
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Compliment your English studies -
Novel Studies | Upper Elementary & Middle School
In a 1:1 setting with a literacy specialist, we will read and analyze a novel of your choosing. Current titles include: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and Restart by Gordon Korman. Skills: vocabulary, reading comprehension, making predictions
THE WILD ROBOT is designed to be completed in nine classes. Please keep this in mind when booking.
In this 1:1 novel study, we will dive into a wildly popular and entertaining story, The Wild Robot. This novel is about a shipwrecked robot who learns to survive by observing and befriending the animals native to her new island. Set in the future when crates of robots are carted on cargo ships and climate change kicks up violent storms, the story mixes artificial intelligence with wilderness survival. It remains one of my family's favorite read aloud stories.
The course curriculum divides our story into 8 parts (sections) + a final class to review the exam. The learner will complete a homework packet, 4 pages in length, for each section. 🎞️ The Wild Robot movie is currently in theaters!
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RESTART is designed to be completed in seven classes. Please keep this in mind when booking.
In this 1:1 novel study, we will dive into a thought provoking middle school nonfiction text, Restart, by bestselling author Gordon Korman.
"A boy who's been a bully and hanging out with the wrong friends gets a new start
after a memory-loss-inducing accident. But can someone really change who he is, or
will the old him merely come back over time?" (Scholastic)
The course curriculum divides our story into 6 parts (sections) + a final meeting to review the test. The learner will complete a homework packet, 4 pages in length, for each section. Topics include: identifying main characters and their perspective, theme, making predictions and critical thinking.
Novel studies are great for reluctant readers as we are sharing in the mental load of analyzing the story together.
Send me a message if your learner has a different novel in mind to study!