Guiding Star Tutoring Services

10/09/2026

From MissPurcell 🫶

10/09/2026

Fluency should never be only about “speed.” I see many students who think the goal of reading is to read fast, and that’s simply not true.

We need to do a better job of helping our students understand that reading isn’t about speed. The point of reading is to COMPREHEND, and the purpose of fluency is to help us focus on comprehension.

I tell my students that we want to read at the same speed that we talk, not too slow and not too fast. When we read too slowly, it can be difficult to comprehend the story. Likewise, when we read too fast, it can also be difficult to comprehend the story.

Fluency practice can be beneficial, but I fear we are creating a culture where speed is celebrated more than understanding.

What’s your thoughts on fluency practice? How do your students/children respond to these activities?

The point of fluency is to lift the cognitive burden.

Parents, here’s something I want you to understand about fluency.

When we work on reading and spelling, we’re not chasing speed for its own sake. What we’re really looking for is the moment the cognitive burden lifts.

When a student can read and spell with automaticity, their working memory no longer has to interact with the task. Planning doesn’t have to interact with it. Initiating the task doesn’t have to interact with it. That’s a huge executive function burden lifted.

Think about what that frees up. Instead of spending all their energy sounding out a word or figuring out how to spell it, your child’s brain can finally focus on understanding, thinking, and sharing their ideas.

So when you hear us talk about fluency, this is what we mean. It’s not about racing through a page. It’s about making reading and spelling feel lighter, so your child has room for everything else.

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

We enjoyed making wristbands again this year with our friends at Learning Matters, Inc. for their Music City Run for Dyslexia a couple weeks ago. 🏃

10/07/2026

Dyslexia doesn’t look exactly the same in every child.

Some children struggle to sound out words. Others read slowly, have persistent spelling difficulties, or work incredibly hard just to keep up with reading.

Knowing the signs can help families know when to ask questions.

Resource: Understanding Dyslexia: Signs to Watch for by Age https://improvingliteracy.org/resource/understanding-dyslexia-signs-to-watch-for-by-age/

10/07/2026

I got this sweet message from a Little Learners parent today. 🤍

I love watching these little learners get excited about learning.

We currently have 3 spots available in our Little Learners class!

If you have a 3–5 year old who would enjoy a fun, small group learning environment, we would love to have them join us!

📚 Tuesdays 10:00–11:00
🔤 Letter learning
🧠 Phonemic awareness
✏️ Fine motor & pre-writing skills
🤝 Social skills & friendship
💛 Building confidence and a love for learning

Send me a message if you’d like more information or would like to save one of our remaining spots.

10/04/2026

⭐️ FIVE ⭐️ spots left in our Little Learners Class!

Where: The National- Lexington TN
When: Tuesdays 10-11
Who: Ages 3-5
What: Your child will learn their sounds and phonemic awareness skills needed to read.

Reach out with any questions you may have! To see if it’s a good fit for your family, your first class is only $10.

Comment form and I’ll send you the registration form.

09/23/2026

We had our first Little Learners class this morning. We would love for you to join us next week!

Where: The National- Lexington TN
When: Tuesdays 10-11
Who: Ages 3-5
What: Your child will learn their sounds and phonemic awareness skills needed to read.

Reach out with any questions you may have! To see if it’s a good fit for your family, your first class is only $10.

Registration Form: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=558562&preLoadClassID=22119114