Does online tutoring actually work???

Can online tutoring really be effective? Don’t you need to be in-person to make it work?!

You might be surprised to find out that online tutoring can actually be MORE effective than in person!

You may have had a terrible experience with virtual schooling during the pandemic. That is true for so many people. To be fair, it was completely new and overwhelming for EVERYONE!

Online tutoring is completely different from what you probably experienced during the pandemic shutdown.

For one thing, online tutors are experts at when they do, and have the right equipment for the job. That makes all the difference in the experience!

There are so many other great advantages to online tutoring!

1. Flexible Timing:

• Online tutoring lets you choose the best time for your child's lessons, making it easier to fit into your family's schedule. No more worrying about conflicting schedules. You don’t have to worry about not being home to make dinner. All you need to do is make sure your child connects with the tutor online. They do the rest.

2. No Travel Needed:

• Your child can learn from home, saving you time and money on travel. Plus, they get to learn in a familiar and comfortable environment. No more sitting someplace for an hour waiting. How many hours have you spent waiting for your child’s activities???

3. Replay Lessons:

• If your child didn't catch something during the lesson, no worries! Online sessions can be recorded, so they can watch it again.

4. Connect with Great Tutors Anywhere:

• Your child can learn from excellent tutors no matter where they are. You have access to a wide range of experienced tutors from around the world. Not only that, but tutoring doesn’t have to stop when you go on vacation. Snow days don’t happen with online tutoring either. There’s no learning loss.

5. Personalized Learning:

• Tutors can make lessons just right for your child, focusing on what they need help with the most. This is where most online tutors shine. For me personally, all my lessons are completely interactive and multisensory. My students are provided with the same materials I use in person, and I guide them through each step one on one. Not only that, but every lesson is written specifically for your child, based on how they did the previous one. My online tutoring is exclusively targeted for your child.

6. Comfortable Learning Environment:

• Your child can learn in a place where they feel most comfortable, which can help reduce any stress or anxiety they might feel about reading. When your child is at home in their surroundings, it’s easier for them to focus. It’s much less disruptive to their lives. Don't you love to work from home and feel much more productive there?

7. Real Connections:

• When you choose online tutoring, you can actually sit in on every lesson to see exactly what your child is learning. You are better able to reinforce their lessons when you know what they’re learning. Not only that, but there is usually time at the end to chat with the online tutor. That time can be limited in person simply because transitions take so much longer.

There are so many advantages to online tutoring. Even so, the most important thing is finding the method that works best for your child. Online tutoring is a fantastic option that has some great benefits.

If you’d like to find out how my online tutoring sessions work, drop me an email at TheSuccessfulReaderTutoring@gmail.com. I’d love to chat!

Free Reading Game: Goodbye to Flashcards, Hello to Fun!

Having spent years and years in the classroom, I learned that some activities are better than others at engaging kids. I also learned that when kids have fun, they retain concepts better.

Flashcards are one of those things that I have a love/hate relationship with. I love them because they're effective. I hate them because they're boring.

Fortunately, there's a better way for kids to practice concepts!

My favorite way to combine learning with fun is through games. I LOVE playing games with kids! Sometimes they have so much fun, they don't even realize that they're working!

One game that my students always asked for is STAR Search. This is an amazing game to practice all kinds of skills, but in a super fun way!

It's very easy to learn and play, but is also unbelievably versatile.

Did I mention that it's FREE?!?!

I've created a version of this game for you that includes three levels of play.

• Level 1 has three letter words for beginning readers.

• Level 2 has short vowel words with blends and digraphs.

• Level 3 has two syllable words.

• Level 4 has silent e words.

The levels make this game one that will last and last!

This is how you play STAR Search:

• Print out one copy of the cards (print on cardstock or colored paper so the words don't show through).

• Cut apart all the cards.

• Place the word cards and STAR cards in the middle of the table, upside down. Shuffle to mix them up.

• Take turns drawing a card and reading it out loud.

• Put the word cards in a discard pile, but keep the STAR cards.

• The player with the most STAR cards wins!

That's it! Kids LOVE to compete to collect stars!

The really cool part about this game is that it is extremely flexible.

There are so many ways to make this game more challenging. Just add a simple variation, such as:

• Use the word in a sentence.

• Spell the word without looking.

• Instead of counting how many STAR cards, count how many total stars on your cards.

• Print two copies of the game board.

Not only are there 4 levels in this freebie, but I've included a blank board!

The blank STAR Search board is what makes this freebie really great!

With the blank board, you can change the practice focus to just about anything!

You could create cards for:

• Spelling words

• Vocabulary words

• Fluency phrases

• Sentences

• Math facts

• Science terms

• And more!!!

Download your Free STAR Search game today!!

I know your child will enjoy this game as much as my students did.

Happy Reading!!

https://www.thesuccessfulreadertutoring.com/

#freereadinggame #sightwordpractice #funlearning #dyslexiagame

10 Signs Your Child Might Have Dyslexia

Is your child having trouble with reading? Are they very smart but reading just doesn't "click"? Will they do anything to avoid reading? Or maybe they can read, but their spelling is a mess!

Do you wonder if it might be dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) estimates that 15-20% of the population may have symptoms of dyslexia.

Signs of dyslexia can vary from person to person, but here are 10 signs that your child might have dyslexia:

1. Difficulty with reading:

• Struggles with reading words at an age-appropriate level.

• Frequent mispronunciations of words or difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words.

• Slow and laborious reading, often with many errors or pauses.

2. Spelling difficulties:

• Frequently misspells words.

• Inconsistent spelling of the same word.

• Struggles with phonetic spelling, such as "frend" instead of "friend."

3. Poor handwriting:

• Messy, illegible handwriting.

• Inconsistent letter formations and sizes.

4. Difficulty with phonological awareness:

• Struggles with recognizing and manipulating the sounds in words.

• May have difficulty rhyming or segmenting sounds in words.

5. Slow reading and writing:

• Takes much longer to complete reading assignments.

• May be unable to finish reading assignments in a reasonable amount of time.

6. Difficulty with sequencing:

• Struggles with sequencing letters in words or words in sentences.

• May read or write letters or words out of order.

7. Trouble with reading comprehension:

• Difficulty understanding and retaining information from what has been read.

• May read text accurately but struggle to comprehend the content.

8. Avoidance of reading:

• Disinterest in reading, often due to the associated challenges and frustrations.

• May avoid reading activities or assignments.

9. Memory difficulties:

• May have difficulty remembering sequences, facts, or instructions.

10. Low self-esteem and frustration:

• Dyslexia-related challenges can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and frustration.

Dyslexia stays with a person throughout their life, but there is good news. People with dyslexia often excel in different ways, like solving problems, being creative, and thinking in unique ways.

Whether your child has dyslexia or not, getting him or her help NOW is essential. Reading difficulties rarely resolve on their own. Schools are overwhelmed and not equipped to provide targeted, individualized intervention.

Getting help early and the getting the right support can make all the difference in managing and overcoming dyslexia's challenges.

Contact me today for a free reading assessment. Together, we will help your child achieve reading success!