Helping Seeds Grow Tutoring

Excited to be offering online tutoring this summer again!! Sessions are $35 and will last 45 minutes. 15 minute initial consultation free. I have been teaching for 12 years (in public school and online), and love keeping things fun and interactive!

Send me a message if interested!

One of fave listening games!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-LtODWxfeK/?igsh=MW03emwwbnQxd2cyYg==

One of my 7 year olds favorite listening games! We focus on 1 sound, and I will read a passage while he does something (usually silly) when he hears that sound. Today, we focused on the letter Z, and he was overly goofy! * And yes, little brother is loud in the background because he was trying to be silly too* You can keep it simple, though, when a kid hears the sound you're focusing on, they can -clap -spin -snap -dance -shake head -whatever they can think of!! This activity helps with phonological awareness which focuses on sounds in language. This awesome story came from his reading curriculum-- Treasure Hunt Reading. Honestly, it's been the best thing to helping him learn to read! #reading #homeschooling #sounds #phonemicawareness #education #learntoread #school #kindergarten #1stgrade #homeschool #silly #fun #funlearning #play #treasurehuntreading #prenda

Let's talk learning to read!!

I taught 4th grade for 6 years and then 2nd for 2 years, so I never really knew how kids learned to read, but focused on reading comprehension.

I've been homeschooling now for 2 years, since my son was 5 and would have started kinder--hes about to be in 2nd grade. Teaching to him to read has been a struggle, to say the least. Part of the issue I do believe has to do with audio processing difficulties he has-- he spent 2 years in speech.

I scoured over all "the science of reading" and the one thing that kept coming up was explicit and systemic phonics.

This means that students are taught the letter-sound relationships through modeling, guided practice and independent practice in a sequence that is organized.

When it came to homeschooling, I went ahead and used a curriculum for phonics called "Explode The Code". This has been around for decades and has helped many kids to learn to read-- in fact my husband learned to read with this curriculum over 25 years ago! I love that it has writing and breaking sounds apart along with silly stories!!

Another curriculum that I love that is a lot newer is "Treasure Hunt Reading". This curriculum has videos that students watch that teaches the letter sound, how to form your mouth when making the sound, and uses kinesthetic movements to practice forming the letters. This curriculum has been my son favorite so far because he is on a treasure hunt and will earn keys on different journeys.

I think both of these curriculums have helped him to finally "click" with reading skills! It's so fun once kids finally start reading!!

Happy Sunday!
One of my favorite things to do is play in the rain with my boys! Getting outside is so beneficial for kids (and adults too)!

Play outside a bit!! :)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9-W2DmRiUX/?igsh=MWo2b3R5b3k2N251MA==

There's no such thing as bad weather!! We had an amazing summer rain this morning and played outside for an hour in it! As long as there is not lighting, thunder, or hail, we are playing in the rain. #1000hoursoutside #outside #rain #dancingintherain #play #kids #boymom

Free Friday!!
I love finding free resources to use with my students (and my own son!)

One of the biggest things to help prep a child for learning to read is phonemic awareness.

Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds, or phonemes, in spoken words. It's a key skill that helps children develop reading and spelling skills.

Skils like rhyming, blending sounds, and changing beginning and ending sounds!

When I was teaching, I was blown away by Heggerty program and decided it was worth it to purchase the curriculum for my son's homeschooling.

For summer, they have a FREE lessons to use at home!

Click the link for access for their free curriculum!

https://heggerty.org/summer

heggerty.org

One of the biggest thing that parents and caregivers can do to help their child learn to read is to help foster the love of reading.

Reading is not just looking at the text of a book, it's learning about new things and experiencing the wonders of imagination.

My boys LOVE their books as much as their toys, and going to the library is always an adventure!!

We listen to audiobooks in the car and often while lying down for bed.

My oldest loves to make books and create his own stories.

I have a ton of books that I switch out, so they see me reading often.

Reading is something that we have that can open so many opportunities, and helping to provide a love of reading will give your child more opportunities!

*Helping Seeds Grow*

Using manipulatives is soo helpful for kids with math! We love using different base 10 blocks to help us move from concrete learning to more abstract!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9KrHTYxuS_/?igsh=MTMwdHB5NzNkNGNxcw==

My 7 year old loves math and can add and subtract in his head-- but sometimes it REALLY helps to use manipulatives to give that concrete learning. We LOVE using Beast Academy for our homeschool math curriculum!! It's fun, engaging, and great for students who are more advanced in math! #homeschool #math #school #learning #education #manipulatives #elementary #1stgrade #2ndgrade #3rdgrade #beastacademy

Let's talk about writing & pencil grips!

These pictures are taken 9 months apart-- age 6 then age 7.

It takes time for little hands to develop the muscles amd bones for holding a pencil in the usual grasp-- so they won't have as much control and writing won't be as "neat".

My son JUST started holding the pencil in the correct way in the last couple months-- but I never forced him to... I just showed him thr correct way and he naturally began to hold it correctly.

That being said-- we practice A LOT of fine motor skills!! He plays with play-doh, he'll cut paper and use scissors a lot, and just a lot of drawing on his own helps to develop those bones and muscles!!

I LOVE watching his development and learning ways to help him to grow and learn!!

Hello! I wanted to share an about me post.

My name is Brogan and I'm the tutor behind Helping Seeds Grow.

I'm a certified EC-6 teacher in Texas with an ESL certification. I have a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I love all things learning.

After being a teacher for 8 years, I found myself with the opportunity to be able to stay home with my kids and to homeschool. I've now homeschooled for 2 years and I love the ability to really help my son be able to succeed with his needs. That being said, he is a struggling reader, so I've spent countless hours researching the best science of reading methodologies to help him succeed.

I've been an online tutor for the last two years and always focus on the learners needs, with first establishing a relationship and making learning as engaging and fun as possible with focusing on the specific skills kids need.

I love tutoring and enjoy Helping Seeds Grow (FYI... my maiden name is Seeds, which is where the name comes from!)

Lastly, I am excited to be expecting my 3rd baby in October, but I am available to tutor over the next couple months before she arrives!

Stop the summer slide now!!
I am available for tutoring for grades K-5 all subjects!
I am a certified teacher with a master's degree in Curriculum & Development, meaning I can cater your child's tutoring sessions to their specific needs!
I am also ESL certified & work well with ADHD kiddos.

Send me a message for more information!