At the start of school, reading instruction consists of reviewing previously learned strategies. Much of the material is a review of elemental basics. High reading scores and high spirits abound. 

Time progresses. Comprehension indicators, phonetic knowledge and other reading strategies increase in difficulty. It is in this stage, previously hidden learning gaps boldly present themselves. 

Learning Gaps? Your child may not have mastered foundational phonics, reading and spelling skills from the previous year(s). These skills are needed to understand how to correctly blend sounds thereby cementing skills needed for fluency in reading and spelling. You notice and your child notices . . . There Is A Problem.

Blame rears its head. You begin to think it’s all your fault. Negative thoughts creep. Your child thinks success in reading isn’t in their reach . . .  dealing a crushing blow to your child’s confidence “I thought I could never learn to read.” 

As parents, you feel overwhelmed or stuck. You don’t know WHAT TO DO! And unfortunately, poor reading skills don’t improve without intervention.

Early intervention is the best way to avoid frustration or reading failure, low grades, and decreased self-confidence.

The reading instructors at Spark Thinking can help: 

By identifying your child’s weaknesses, creating a personalized plan, and teaching the concepts and skills needed for mastery in reading and spelling. 

Now, ask yourself . . . WHAT SHOULD I DO? 

Be an informed parent. Be a parent armed with the knowledge and power to HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED!

Ready? 

Let’s Talk about how we can help your child reach their full reading potential!

The post What Every Parent Should Know About READING Skills appeared first on Progressive Tutoring - 1-on-1 Reading, Math, and Comprehension Tutoring in Fayetteville, GA and Online .

According to the International Dyslexia Association:

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.

These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

Adopted by the Board of Directors: November 12, 2002

A few years ago, National Public Radio (NPR) reporter Gabrielle Emanuel shed some much-needed light on dyslexia in a five-part series titled “Unlocking Dyslexia”.

Click each part to listen to the audio or read the article.

Part I: Millions Have Dyslexia, Few Understand It

Part II: How Science Is Rewiring The Dyslexic Brain

Part III: Raising A Child With Dyslexia: Three Things Parents Can Do

Part IV: Dyslexia: The Learning Disability That Must Not Be Named

Part V: ‘B’ And ‘D’ Learning Process Debunks Dyslexia Jumbled-Letters Myth

If your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia or struggles with reading, there’s something you can do to help. The International Dyslexia Association recommends seeking help early and hiring a reading instructor trained in the Orton-Gillingham Reading Approach.

Why?

The Orton-Gillingham Reading Approach is evidence-based and effective because it is:

• Diagnostic
• Explicit
• Multi-sensory
• Structured
• Cumulative
• Cognitive

We help students at-risk, those with dyslexia and struggling readers become better in phonics, phonemic awareness, word attack, spelling, word recognition, and reading sight words.  

Ready to see your child break through the struggles; improve in reading, comprehension, and math- and get better grades? Let’s Talk about how we can help your child reach their full learning potential!

Book your free consultation  

The post “Unlocking Dyslexia” appeared first on Progressive Tutoring - 1-on-1 Reading, Math, and Comprehension Tutoring in Fayetteville, GA and Online .

Previous Challenge

When Mrs. Sims contacted Spark Thinking, Levi was struggling, and there were talks about retaining him in his current grade. This was because, he had not progressed in phonics, or his reading and spelling skills, even though he had been given an IEP for a year.

First Step & Instructional Program

We used a series of diagnostic tests to identify Levi’s current skills. The results showed where his strengths and weaknesses were.

Using the results of the diagnostic test:

1. We created a personalized learning plan to target, and improve Levi’s phonics skills, reading & spelling accuracy, fluency, and sight words.
2. We also provided instruction to improve his phonemic awareness, and word attack skills.
3. We taught him the spelling rules that he needed to know, in order to become better in spelling single and multi-syllable words.
4. We monitored and adjusted his instructional plan as needed to ensure that he made adequate progress.
5. We recommended reading materials that Levi practiced with at home, to build his reading accuracy and fluency.

The Results

During our work within, and by the end of his program, Levi:

• Mastered all the literacy skills that were previously challenging for him.
• Significantly improved in phonics, reading, spelling, and in his grades.
• Became independent, and was reading at grade level.
• Began to love to read for fun-something he hated doing before receiving instruction.

In His Mom’s Own Words

“They are awesome! Ms. Sylvia is absolutely wonderful! My son was reading below grade level, and yes it took time, but he is now reading on grade level. We can’t say enough good things about Spark Thinking.”

–       Sheri Houck Sims

Ready to see your child break through the struggles; improve in reading, comprehension, and math- and get better grades?

Let’s Talk about how we can help your child reach their full learning potential!

Book your free consultation  

The post Student Success Story appeared first on Progressive Tutoring - 1-on-1 Reading, Math, and Comprehension Tutoring in Fayetteville, GA and Online .