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Tutoring
HOPE for Dyslexia offers one-on-one tutoring using the Barton Reading & Spelling System. I am certified at the Advanced Level in this program, and am trained in other complementary programs. The Barton System is different from many other reading and spelling programs because it is Orton-Gillingham influenced.
My Philosophy
Learning to read and spell is hard work for dyslexic students. I strive to make it as fun as possible, yet I am always working through the program as fast as possible, while ensuring my students have complete mastery of the skills I have taught them. It's a balancing act for sure!
I want my students to succeed, and keeping them happy and motivated is one of my top priorities. Students are rewarded in their efforts by earning points, which can be redeemed for small prizes. I love using games as an incentive, and often end sessions with 5 minutes of a fun game that is carefully designed to reinforce that student's specific lesson. And every session ends with a small reward for that student's efforts.
Most children with dyslexia have an awareness - to varying degrees - that reading and spelling is tough for them. I work hard to point out their successes, and always mention what they did correctly, before giving gentle corrections. Making our time together a positive experience is of the utmost importance to me, and my hope is to help each of my students understand the special gifts they have!
My Policies
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All tutoring is one-on-one.
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Students must complete two 50-minute sessions each week. More sessions each week will result in faster progress.
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Payment is required at the beginning of the month for all sessions for that month. In case of illness or an emergency, make-up sessions are offered.
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You may cancel at any time, and unused sessions will be promptly refunded.
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Sibling discounts are available.
New Student Requirements
Not everyone is ready to be tutored using the Barton System. New students must:
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struggle with spelling when writing.
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struggle to easily sound out unknown words when reading.
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be at least 5 years old and in kindergarten.
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speak and comprehend spoken English.
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have an IQ of 70 or higher.
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pass a student screening.
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is:
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research and evidence based.
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an intense intervention.
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approved by the California, Colorado, and Arkansas Boards of Education.
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meets all requirements of No Child Left Behind.
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supports Common Core.
What I Teach
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Phonemic Awareness - how to accurately perceive and mentally manipulate sounds. This is the foundational skill needed to correctly read and spell.
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Phoneme/Grapheme Correspondence - which letters/combos make certain sounds, and how to blend those sounds.
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The Seven Types of Syllables - vowel sounds change depending on the syllable type. Knowing the type of syllable greatly helps in reading and spelling.
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Probabilities and Rules - our language has many variations. For example, the sound of /J/ at the end of a word can be spelled GE or DGE.
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Roots, Affixes, and Morphology - these expand a student's vocabulary and ability to comprehend (and spell) unfamiliar words.
My Teaching Methods:
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Simultaneous Multisensory Instruction: People learn best when they use all their senses - visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic.
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Intense instruction with lots of practice: I ensure mastery before moving on to the next concept. Students may check out games to play at home for additional practice.
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Direct, explicit instruction: I teach directly and explicitly each and every concept that affects the English language.
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Systematic and Cumulative: Lessons are logically arranged, and each lesson builds upon the last. Learned knowledge is continually reviewed and practiced.
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Synthetic and Analytic: I teach students how to combine individual letters or sounds together to form a word (synthetic), and also how to break a long word into smaller pieces (analytic).
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Diagnostic Teaching: I constantly assess my students' understanding of concepts and adjust the pace accordingly. I strive to keep material challenging, while also ensuring mastery of previously taught concepts.
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