by Ann Mitchell | Apr 15, 2020 | Home, IEP & 504
All you need to know about virtual IEP meetings.
Let’s start at the beginning.
The Spring of the 2019 – 2020 school year has been difficult for everyone, parents, kids, teachers, therapists, admin… even the dog, you name it. Now you are wondering what is happening with services, IEP’s, let alone meetings. All the states are being treated as individual entities right now. So, a virtual IEP meeting is what will be happening. Just like your children may be doing school over the computer. I know our district is.
As an online reading tutor, I am comfortable having online meetings with parents, students and especially during this shutdown I have been meeting with other tutors and teammates over Zoom, mainly. I began to think that not everyone is as comfortable with tutoring or having meetings online.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
All About virtual or online IEP meetings.
I know you are probably thinking that something will go wrong or you will not be able to ask the questions that you need to. My suggestion prior to the meeting is to contact someone on the team that you trust. Someone that you could text during the meeting or even after if there was something that you wanted to bring up and forgot.
My personal favorite platform to use for meetings is Zoom. However, some districts, use Google Hangouts or Meet, some may even use Skype. There are many different platforms out there that your district may use. My next suggestion is once you learn which platform that the meeting will occur on is get on it prior to the meeting and practice. The day of the meeting you will feel better about doing a virtual meeting.
Who knows this may be the standard after this is all over? Just think not having to find a sitter of to even leave work to have a meeting. You can invite anyone else to join as well.
The only thing different about a virtual IEP meeting is the place it is being held. Everything else will be the same.
Tips for a virtual meeting
- Prepare your questions and parent input prior to the meeting.
- Confirm which software/platform you will be using…practice.
- Dress appropriately. Just because you are doing a virtual meeting doesn’t mean you can show up unprofessional looking. Plus, you will feel more confident.
- Charge your phone or device prior to the meeting.
- Make sure you are in a place where there is good WIFI. It does not matter where you are just as long as it is quiet and without too many distractions.
- If you feel nervous, once the meeting gets going you won’t even realize you are online.
After the meeting is complete
After the team has reviewed your child’s strengths and weaknesses, determined goals, you have provided the parent statement and the least restrictive environment has been determined. You will receive an emailed copy of the IEP. Now is the time to read it and make sure you understand it. If you have any questions, contact that trusted member of the team and get those questions answered.
by Ann Mitchell | Nov 7, 2019 | Home
Does My Child Need A Reading Tutor?
You struggle every night trying to get your child to do the required 20 or 30 minutes of reading, they resist. The books they bring home are just like any other child’s in their class so, you think nothing of it, right? Well, that’s just what I have heard a few parents say. Does your child know how to choose books that are at their level so that they can read at night? Wouldn’t it be easier? Not arguing, no nightly battles to get reading or, even that homework finished. But, they want to choose books just like everyone else in their class.
So, the question is, do you know how to help them choose a book at their level or a “just right” book? Or do you need someone to help you and your child? Have you ever thought your child may need a tutor?
Learn how to help your child choose a book so that they do not become frustrated while reading.
There are so many questions when choosing to look for a tutor.
How do I know if my child needs a tutor?
Families are busy, and kids are busy, I understand we are a busy family too. Are your child’s grades slipping? Do you notice them becoming quiet and may be frustrated when it is time to read or even doing their homework? You may ask friends, family, their teacher for support. The answers are it is just a part of life. Or he’s just a boy. I’ve heard that one.
NINE Signs Your Child Needs Tutoring
- Difficulty getting started. Does your child seem unexcited and unmotivated about anything to do with school—especially working on assignments?
- Homework is sloppy or refuses to do it and overall disorganization.
- Personality change, maybe more moody.
- Diminished self-esteem. Lack of confidence.
- Lack of interest in learning?
6. Teacher or counselor recommends it.
7. Anxiety or frustration before tests.
8. Loss of interest in learning or going to school.
9. Feelings of wanting to give up.
How much tutoring does my child need?
After you have decided to look for a tutor, the next question you may have is, how much tutoring does my child need? The answer to this question is different for every child. For example, you just went to parent-teacher conferences, and your child’s teacher brings up that your child is not meeting grade-level expectations in reading. What do you do? You do your research and ask for recommendations. Many things come into factor when choosing the right tutor.
Normally, one or two-hour sessions a week will help close the gap quickly. Again, each child is different. Ask about skills you can work on together, as well.
The budget is another thing to consider. Some big box shops charge up to $75.00/hr., after the initial assessments. Some private tutors charge between $35-$75/hr. As a parent, you need to do your research, check out your neighborhood library, ask friends if they have used a tutor or possibly the Chamber of Commerce. Just remember cheaper is not always better.
When looking for a reading tutor for your child, there are a few things to remember.
- Talk about it with your child. Get them on board.
- One size does not fit all. Do your research and choose one that knows the subject.
- Consider your schedule what time, place, or even online
- Get referrals and read references
- Connection, when attending the first session, does your child connect with them?
One on one attention can change the world for some children when there is homework struggle every night. When your child is struggling with reading, finding the right professional tutor that is patient and knowledgeable in teaching reading is best.
I know it is hard, but you have not done anything wrong. Some children need extra support when they are young to get them to excel. Once you do find that right tutor, ask questions, ask for ideas on how you can help your child.
I have been a tutor since 2013 and have helped hundreds of children close their gap in reading and supported families through the process. Comment here if you have any questions about anything in this article. If you still have questions about if your child needs a tutor, what to look for in a tutor, or even what next steps are.
Good luck with your journey!
by Ann Mitchell | Sep 10, 2019 | Home
First Steps In Growing Successful Readers
In collaboration with Diane Talbot, Spiral Skills Tutoring and Academic Coaching. Diane is a reading, writing, and math specialist in Boulder, Colorado. She works with children and young adults with learning disabilities, as well as gifted and twice-exceptional children.
Ann Mitchell, Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor Ann is an online reading tutor that lives in Castle Rock, Colorado. She is a reading interventionist that works with elementary age students that struggle with reading. Additionally she is in the process of developing a small reading group for busy families.
Both Diane and Ann share the love of gardening and teaching.
Do you have a garden? If so, does your child help you plant seeds and watch the new seedlings pop their heads out of the soil? First steps in growing successful readers is much like growing a garden. You need to prepare, plant seeds, care and nurture, and finally you have a gorgeous outcome.
Preparing the ground
Just like preparing to plant a garden, we begin at birth to prepare our kids to read. We do this by talking and listening to our kids, singing and playing games and reading to kids.
When planting seeds or seedlings, you don’t want to risk frost. Don’t start too early with flashcards or formal phonics.
Check out 3 tips for better reading.
This will provide some everyday ways to help your child as they are beginning to read those tricky words.
Planting seeds
You are always planting seeds of the love of literacy. You plant seeds when your kids see you reading and when you read to them.
As you read together model finger-point reading with them. That means to follow the words with your finger from left to right as you read them. As well as which way to correctly hold and care for their books. Just like we care for our young plants. We need to support them in every stage.
Many parents wonder what type of books they should be looking for as their child begins to read. Just remember the words “Just Right” Even when those vegetables or even flowers look just right when you go to pick them you need to provide extra support as they grow.
Nurturing seedlings
When we nurture our seedlings we need to water, weed and watch them as they grow. When we nurture our beginning readers, read together and when your child is finished with a book, be sure to talk about what happened in the story, and maybe re-read favorite parts. Let them know how proud you are! By sharing a book with a child, you’re sharing the joys and excitement of reading.
When your child begins to notice letters and words around her, let her know how proud you are. When she writes a string of letters (or letter-like symbols) ask her to read what she wrote to you. If she brings you a “word” and asks what it says, show her how to sound it out, even if it doesn’t make sense. Ask her a word she wants to write just work with her to sound it out and write it. If she wants to write dog, ask what the first sound is, you can model pinching out the word, using your thumb and index finger, pinch and say /d/, then thumb and middle finger for /o/ and thumb and ring finger for /g/. Show her how to write the letters that represent each sound. Then go back and read her work. It is important that children learn the sounds before having to write them down. Make sure you model the letters for them.
Just as we see the growth of our gardens you will definitely she the growth in your readers as long as you nurture and care for them.
Celebrating The Harvest
“The harvest is my favorite part of gardening”, according to Ann. This is when all of the fruits of your labor have brought success. Whether it is your favorite flowers or a vegetable garden. Most importantly, it may also be that beginning reader that can blend sounds, recognize letters and read words provided on a page.
by Ann Mitchell | Jun 11, 2019 | Home
How did my tutoring business get its name?
To think back when it all began, how did my tutoring business get its name? In 2013, when I began tutoring I traveled to the library here in town and to student’s homes. I, of course, began with the name Castle Rock Tutoring. Since I am based out of Castle Rock, Colorado and the names that were available I grabbed it and so that is how it all began.
How it Has changed
Many businesses change over time, however, mine didn’t really change just a little tweak of the name. I still loved what I did, helping children close the gap in reading mainly. I just narrowed my niche a little bit more than it was. Previously, I would tutor reading, writing and math. Now I just tutor reading. If I have a student who is beginning to close their gap in reading but struggle in other areas I will see how I can help them in those subjects. If I cannot I refer them on to other tutors I know. During the summer months I do offer more than just reading. Over the past couple years, I have developed Our Summertime Reading Adventure. It provides reading, comprehension, answering questions, meeting new friends all in the comfort of their own home.
What we are now
In 2017 as I mentioned I only tweaked my business name. It is now Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor and the reason I chose this name was that I narrowed my niche to reading and began to offer my services online. I love what I do! I have become trained as a reading interventionist and use an individualized method to help every child become a better reader.
I work mainly with elementary age students across the United States. I have helped hundreds of children become confident readers and parents become happier seeing their child is successful.
If you have a struggling reader in your family look around my site and the first words that you will find are:
I am so glad you are here.
I know you have tried everything to figure out how to help your child with reading, from asking friends, their teacher or even checking out a tutoring center close to home.
If your child is struggling with reading and you are at a loss. Choosing books that are just too hard for them just because their friends read them.
You are in the right place.
Next Steps
Once you have looked around my website and possibly thought about when your child could start tutoring. There is a New Student Registration button on the front page which will take you to a form to fill out with some basic questions.
Read the testimonials located around my site, read the About Us page to learn more about me and my family and below are my social media links that you can follow. Finally, sign up for my newsletter to obtain more information to help your child.
by Ann Mitchell | Aug 31, 2018 | Home
Does your child struggle in both reading and math? As a Special Educator and a tutor, I have worked with many children who not only struggled in reading but struggled with math as well. During this past year, I have researched about the difficulties students have in school (reading and math). I mainly tutor struggling readers and have a concrete plan on how to close that gap quickly but math is different (for me it always has been) until recently. So if you have any questions about either please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Reading
When kids struggle with reading they struggle with self-confidence. When they come home from school saying that they cannot read the same chapter books as their friends. I totally understand. Sometimes tears are shed during homework time at the kitchen table, even getting them to read for twenty minutes before bed is a lost cause. I have worked with children since 2008 on their reading skills. Online tutoring has not only grown but helps raise that confidence in the privacy of your own home with books that are at their level.
Homework Suggestions
I offer a FREE Reading Assessment using the QRI 5. I assess sight words and vocabulary understanding. Over time you will see that smile, the enjoyment of reading and the headaches are gone.
Math
When I was young I had the hardest time with math. If it was not for my math college professor that showed me how math works in the real world and made it fun I actually did my problems set to music (humming really). You won’t ever catch me singing. Talking about singing you use math. Gardening you use math. Cooking a meal you definitely use math. Who’s hungry?
I have plenty of resources and professional development courses on different resources and assessments on how to help students with math. Examples would include hands-on / multi-sensory learning. Have a number line available, work on tracing the numbers so that they know the symbols and amounts. Just as in reading somethings just need to be memorized.
First, if your child is struggling in both reading and math is to stay in close contact with the school. (teachers. counselors, principal) If you do not see any improvement after a few months, for example from the beginning of the school year until just before the holiday break in December. So that if testing needs to be completed they can schedule it for right after they return to school. A request for testing needs to be in writing to any of the people listed above.
Second, reach out to me with any questions and a FREE assessment, which is never a reason for tutoring but of course, it is always offered. Check out my website Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor and if you would like to schedule something please let me know. An excellent resource for more information is http://www.wrightslaw.com/ has come in handy quite a bit in my journey as a Special Educator.
The MORE that you READ, the more THINGS you will KNOW.
The MORE you LEARN, the more PLACES you’ll GO! – Dr. Suess
Social media is a 24/7 resource for anyone to gain support. Follow me / Share/ Like
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