Literacy Classes

In these classes children will learn reading and spelling skills through fun, multi-sensory and individualized lessons. I will follow the common core curriculum to build the skills your child needs to become a fluent reader. We will use Foundations materials and activities to introduce and practice new concepts such as sound blending, syllable segmentation and spelling rules. We will also play at least one reading or spelling game in each lesson, such as bingo, tic-tac-toe, or memory. These games are a fun way of remembering new sounds or words. Students will also actively learn reading and listening comprehension. We will use dialogue, graphic organizers, drawings and even dramatic acting to make sure students are able to meaningfully connect to the texts they read. With a small class size, each child will receive individual attention to their specific learning needs. I conduct a private reading evaluation with each child prior to the start of this class and their progress will be closely monitored and shared with parents throughout the semester. 

Looking for an Online Literacy(Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade) Tutoring Services? Contact Us!

Our Coach Maddie

Maddie is a tutor for children pre-k to 2nd grade. She holds a dual M.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education Birth – 2nd Grade and Special Education. She is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, having completed 11 separate graduate credits in the Wilson Program. Maddie has experience working with a diverse population of students, especially those with learning disabilities; e.g. dyslexia and ADHD.

Maddie’s personal experience with her own educational struggles as a child has given her a unique understanding of the emotional and social strains that struggling readers often face. Her interest in education began in high school where she tutored elementary school students in reading at The Churchill School and Center and taught children’s yoga. After receiving her B.A. in sociology from Guilford College, she began working at The Child School/Legacy High School where she gained experience teaching children with a wide range of special needs. She was trained there in the Wilson Reading Program by Shelly P. (A highly experienced and accomplished teacher and reading specialist, also at Brooklyn Letters). This training led to a position as a reading specialist at The Child School/Legacy High School where Maddie worked one-on-one and in small groups with students (K-12) who were reading below grade level to build their decoding, encoding and comprehension skills. Maddie also worked as a reading specialist at Integrative Neuropsychological Services where she gave reading lessons as part of intensive educational interventions for children (K-8) with special needs. In this position she worked closely with students’ other service providers (psychologists, speech and language therapists etc.) to ensure that their emotional, physical, and social development were considered in every reading lesson.

Maddie creates highly individualized lessons to teach reading, spelling, comprehension and writing skills. Using a multi-sensory approach she systematically teaches students how to decode (break words into sounds for reading) and encode (put sounds together for spelling). This multi-sensory approach to reading ensures that all types of learners (e.g. auditory, kinesthetic) can easily access the concepts being taught.
When working with younger students, Maddie incorporates lots of movement-based activities into lessons, such as letter-sound hopscotch. Not only do these activities make learning a new concept fun, they also make it more memorable.

*Maddie is now offering math lessons for K-2 students. Using the same multi-sensory approach she uses for literacy lessons, Maddie is able to make math lessons interactive and exciting for all students. She uses props, songs, animations and other visuals to help students not simply memorize equations, but master the logic and reasoning behind math concepts. While Maddie uses a variety of modalities to teach math according to what works best for her students, her math curriculum closely follows the common core standards for K-2.

Maddie’s approach to education is designed to build students confidence and interest in literacy and math while simultaneously developing the skills necessary for academic success. The more she knows about her students, the better she can create lessons that meet their unique needs and areas of strength. She therefore encourages ongoing communication with parents and others involved in the student’s education.

Here’s a Glimpse of Our Online Reading Tutor Maddie’s Literacy Class!