Hi! I’m Megan and I would love to help your child learn to read and spell using techniques that are engaging and fun! Children will enjoy reading and writing when lessons are tailored to meet them at their level – allowing them to feel successful in their endeavors.

Children who have struggled with learning to read and write often have developed low self esteem or an aversion to reading. They know they are smart! This fact makes it even more frustrating for them. Often, what is needed, is one-on-one instruction in reading and spelling using an approach that is direct, explicit, multi-sensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive. These are the components of the Orton-Gillingham Approach (OG) https://www.ortonacademy.org/resources/what-is-the-orton-gillingham-approach/.

I am currently offering sessions online or in-person in my home. I have worked with over a dozen students online since April 2020 and have found sessions to be quite successful and rewarding. While it is more convenient to do online sessions, I do believe there are some children who may require the benefit of being in the same room. Especially if there are attentional or dysgraphia/handwriting concerns, please consider in-person sessions.

I am an OG trained reading tutor. I have a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Loyola University Chicago, Montessori Primary Teacher Certification from the American Montessori Society and over 25 years of experience working with children.

What to expect:

After getting some background information and discussing any concerns about your child’s reading and writing, I will use a few tests to assess your child’s current level/previously acquired skills to determine where to begin instruction. This assessment will also be used to measure student progress and will be re-administered every 4 months. Progress reports are provided as requested. This report will include your child’s level of interest/focus, rate of learning and let you know what we are currently working on as well as how you may be able to assist your child at home.

Every session will include individualized lesson plans that are adjusted as your child masters material and concepts (letter sounds, sight words, digraphs/blends etc). Students attend 2 or more 45-55 minute online sessions per week. Tutoring is ongoing and month-to-month. How long your child will need to attend will depend on many factors including the severity of your child’s Dyslexia and/or ADHD, your child’s current level vs grade level, rate of mastery of concepts, level of motivation and how much practice work is completed outside of sessions.

Components of a Reading Session:

Student will:

• Review letters
• Write letters
• Read words
• Write words
• Read back words that were written
• Learn new material as appropriate based on previously mastered material
• Read contextually for comprehension and fluency practice
• Play a reading game – card game, board game, tic tac toe etc.
• Handwriting (print and/or cursive) are incorporated throughout the lesson.

Practice Work:

It is imperative that your child engage in daily practice work. Such work includes reading aloud lists of words and short stories at their level, practicing handwriting and playing reading games. Practice work should be fun and not overwhelming. Even 10-15 minutes a day is helpful. It is also important to read to your child above his/her personal reading level to increase vocabulary and auditory comprehension. I am happy to suggest and lend chapter books from my home library.

Contact Information:

For more information, scheduling, and rates please contact me at:
meganlongtin@gmail.com or 612-859-8168