Reading Success Begins Here -- Learning How to Read and Reading for Comprehension
Our program starts with a phonetically based approach to learning how to read. It is vitally important that the child become able to decode words rapidly with meaning. Research shows that understanding the relationship between letters and sounds is fundamental in learning to read. The English language is 85% phonetic. Sight words that must be memorized make up the balance. The “Learning to Read” program addresses both.
With this approach, the young student gains the ability and confidence to read with fluency. Specific exercises to develop the child’s visual and auditory discrimination abilities are used, and fine motor skills are also emphasized from the beginning.
The sounds of vowels and consonants are taught in a specific order. The child progresses to sounding out common short words. Then the student begins to use a series of storybooks and workbooks with phonetically controlled texts. As the student develops
reading fluency the program’s focus shifts towards an emphasis on vocabulary and grammar development to assist in reading comprehension.
Vocabulary and comprehension are taught through a curriculum that extends through the AP English level. The words that are emphasized are selected based on the frequency of use in the English language, grade level literature, and their use on standardized tests. The diverse and interesting exercises aid the student in understanding the meaning of each word in a variety of ways.
The grammar program teaches in a simple and direct manner. Concepts are presented in small increments and are followed by daily practice. The early focus is on capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech, and sentence structure, with each exercise building on the previous set. Repetition promotes mastery of all grammar aspects.
Worksheet sets designed for reading comprehension help the student to practice vocabulary and critical thinking skills in preparing for tests such as the ISEE, SSAT and SAT. To see the complete curriculum progession, click here! Curriculum 1
PRACTICE & POINTERS FOR THE SAT EVERY THURSDAY!!
Thursday Drop-in sessions for SAT Prep. Practice is much more fun with friends! Come any Thursday evening during the month to work with our specialists in math, reading, and writing. You will work with 2-3 peers and a tutor. This is a very popular option, and in conjunction with other tutoring is available for ONLY $75 cost for the entire month of Thursdays!!! This is a unique opportunity presented by The Weston and Wayland Learning Centers to enrich SAT study.
Tutoring -- SAT I, SSAT, & ISEE Tutoring
Our tutoring subjects include math through calculus, reading comprehension and analysis through high school, and writing through the college level. Our greatest Tutoring emphasis is on SAT, SSAT & ISEE Prep. Our tutors bring a minimum of 10 years tutoring into any situation. We will help you establish a goal for prep, and put together a truly individualized plan that will enable you to meet your goals. We pride ourselves on putting together sessions and plans that minimize stress by allowing us to focus specifically in the strategies needed to excel on the tests, and the particular skill building needed to meet test requirements. Our excellent curriculum from the mastery classes is a base of work that can be called into play as needed in this process. COME FOR A 1/2 PRICE INTRODUCTORY SESSION, & FIND OUT WHAT MAKES US SO DIFFERENT!
Juniors Program – Early Learning Success Begins Here You know your child is ready to focus on books and numbers, but you’re not quite sure how to start? Call us. We have worked with children as young as two years old on letter and number recognition. Our program for our youngest students involves one on one, to two on one teacher-student ratios. The concept of learning at the youngest levels is to focus on a small amount of daily learning. We have taught many children how to read and how to add. Our top students from this age group have been amongst the top 20 in North America for achievement….however, it is most important that this be a fun introduction to learning, and that each child is made to feel comfortable and capable at his or her level.
Ask us about pre-reading AND pre-adding skills. We can show you our curriculum, and explain our philosophy.
Children must be ready to work with another person other than their parent, and have at least a ten minute attention span. For some children this comes earlier than for others. If you’re not sure if your child is ready we can do a free assessment and let you know what we think.
Writing Success Begins Here -- SUMMER WRITING PROGRAMS WILL BE HELD IN JULY! Writing is a dynamic and exhilarating art form. However, there are basic skills that one must possess in order to allow youngsters to express themselves effectively. Our ultimate goal is the ability to create the well-reasoned argument of a formal essay. In order to attain that goal, each youngster must have several key components. We begin with vocabulary development. We work on weekly word lists, and begin assembling a vocabulary bank for use in the essay. Grammar and punctuation, parts of speech and exercises that build on each other are used to establish correct sentence structure. At the same time, we work with each student to understand what makes writing exciting. What is an opening ‘grabber’? How does the conclusion relate to the introduction? How does one develop arguments? When students are prepared to write paragraphs we show them how to form a complete statement idea within each paragraph. Ultimately students create vivid and compelling arguments in complete essays. It can be helpful for students to combine the reading and writing curriculum in order to optimize their focus, though students can opt for just one subject or the other.
