Each student takes a diagnostic assessment prior to the start of tutoring. Based on the result, a customized program is then designed to meet the particular strengths and weaknesses of each child. As a result, the program is individualized for your child.

Individualized Instruction in:

Reading.........
Reading Readiness: preparation skills to be ready to read
Introductory Reading: a phonics based program + comprehension combined
Scholastic Reading: spelling, vocabulary and comprehension combined

Effective Writing........
Sentence Structure: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences

Math.......
Essential Math: computation, proficiency, and conceptual understanding
Upper Level Math: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry

Academic Coaching......
Test preparation, Test taking skills, organizational skills, time management, and study skills

Learning Essentials specializes in children's writing and reading strategies for all grades. Not only do we build great writers and confident readers, but we also build self-esteem in each and every one of our students. Our writing and reading strategies use the Strategic Instructioal Model (SIM), developed by reserachers and teachers at the University of Kansas for Research on Learning (KU-CRL). SIM is an approach to teach students who struggle with becoming good readers, writers, and learners. It is based on the reality that for students to meet high standards, they must be able to read and understand large volumes of complex, often difficult reading materials.  Additionally they must acquire the skills to express themselves effectively in writing.  

In addition to SIM, we are also trained to implement the following research proven programs for reading and writing: Breaking the Code; Visualization and Verbalization for Language Comprehension; Seeing Stars for sight words, fluency, phonemic awareness, and spelling; WILSON Reading System; Handwriting Without Tears; and Spelling Through Morphographs.

Reading 

Research indicates that good readers use several well-developed skills as they draw meaning from the page.  Besides figuring out words from contextual cues, they have to break the code of written language (decode by correct phonetic processing).  At the same time, they must quickly recognize common words and common patterns words through visual processing.

Phonetic processing, or sounding out words, is the ability to discern the sounds and sequences of sounds in a word. We utilize the Break the Code program to help students with weak phonemic awareness.  By discovering, and identifying how letters make sounds, students are able to distinguish individual sounds for accurate reading, and to blend sounds for more accurate word attack.  This new way of looking at the reading process can open doors for those students who just don't seem to "get" how to sound out words.

Just as important as the ability to sound out words is the rapid word recognition of frequently seen words and patterns in words.  Recalling these "sight words" requires a strong visual memory.  Learning Essentials utilizes the Seeing Stars Program, which uses symbol imagery to strengthen visual memory.  As students make a kinetic connection by "writing" in the air and on surfaces, they learn to create mental images of letters and words.  Starting with simple exercises and moving to more complex, students learn to hold and manipulate letter patterns so that they can more readily recognize words and parts of words.  As they increase their lexicon of sight words, students become more fluent in reading and more accurate in spelling.

As students move towards more complex words, our spelling through Morphograph Program explores the history of English for a deeper understanding of word structure and spelling. Most of the words in our language originated from Old English, Latin or Greek.  Students discover how to determine word origin and connect the history of language to word construction.  Knowledge of word origin and the meaning of word parts provides a structure for understanding and remembering "sight words" and their seemingly random spellings. Recognizing and understanding these patterns leads to improved visual memory for word recognition, spelling, and improved vocabulary.

As less effort is needed for decoding words, students are better able to engage in the meaning of what they are reading, and can begin to experience the pleasure of reading.

Comprehension: Students will learn important visualization techniques needed to generate an in depth understanding of text and in turn elaborate writing.  Active reading strategies (note taking, highlighting, margin notes, etc.) will be taught to improve reading comprehension.

Effective Writing 

Our tutoring in writing provides concrete steps for students, beginning with the basics of writing a complete sentence through the more advanced processes involved in writing essays. The processes that are necessary for learning are broken down into manageable steps enabling students to successfully meet standards. Our writing program is designed to help students eliminate specific writing problems by teaching them the skills necessary to understand and recognize the problem.  Our tutoring in writing does not attempt to teach every grammar rule, but instead focuses on the rules that are crucial to developing good sentences and paragraph structure.

Learning Essentials teaches students to organize ideas, plan the point of view, structure their ideas, and write on a variety of topics.

Sentence structure: Tutoring in sentence structure walks students through writing four types of quality sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.  Sentences are the building block of good writing.  Students who struggle with writing sentences will obviously struggle when they are asked to write a paragraph or an essay.  A firm grasp of basic sentence structure allows students to say what they mean in away that others can understand.

Paragraph Development:  Tutoring in paragraph writing involves helping students organize their ideas so that it can be easily understood.  A firm grasp of paragraph organization allows students to say what they mean.  Having students organize there thoughts graphically often helps to identify the topic sentence and the detail sentences.  

Mathematics 

Learning Essentials uses research-based math programs to help students improve skills in all areas. We help students discover more efficient math strategies, and to assign meaning to the symbolic world of math (regardless of ability or level).  Our systematic structured options include the Strategic Instruction Model, Hands on Equations, and others. We identify the best program for your child through our assessments and inventories.

Academic Coaching 

The Learning Essentials philosophy is that most students are capable of understanding the content of the courses they are taught.  The difference between academic success and struggling learners, can be attributed not to a failure of the intellect, but to a weakness in, or the complete absence of learning strategies. Study strategies such as organization, time management, note taking, test preparation, and project development are rarely taught by teachers, especially at the middle and high school level. Such teachers are content driven and expect students to understand how to learn and how to tackle their workload.  Academic coaches build confidence, motivation and self-relieance through teaching and implementing effective learning strategies that meet each student's needs. 

Achievement Testing

We administer and interpret results of educational evaluations that give us a realistic view of the student's learning abilities and to develop and individualized program.  An in depth consultation is also provide to explain the test results, the process of learning, and our tutoring plan specifically geared for your child.  Get results by strengthening skills and building strong foundation for learning!