Homeschooling and Learning Pod
Instructional Services
K-2 Phonics (Orton-Gillingham based)
Elementary Reading Comp/Fluency
Middle School Reading Comp/Fluency
Middle School Persuasive Essay Writing
Fiber Craft Projects
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Learning Pod/Homeschooling Academics
(Also available as Individual Tutoring)
Starting September 2020: (On-line only)
Phonics Pod for K-2nd Graders (maximum 4 students per pod)
5 days per week (45 minutes per day)
The complete phonics program developed by Esther Sands of the Reading Reform Foundation--a multi-sensory program where students build a solid foundation in reading, writing and spelling. Students also learn fun rules ("cry i" 'happy ee" "Buzz Off Miss Hill"), suffixes, and sight words. This program is ideal for all children. On the 5th day, each student has a one on one tutoring session to address his/her learning needs. For all types of learners.
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Elementary School Reading Fluency and Comprehension For 2nd - 4th GradersTwo sessions per week (3-5 students per pod)
Reading opens up new and exciting worlds of characters, adventures, and interesting phenomena to the primary and intermediate student. Instruction focuses on developing the young reader's engagement and development of their thought process as well as reading fluency.
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Middle School Reading Fluency and Comprehension For 5th - 7th Graders
Two sessions per week (3-5 students per pod)
Using engaging middle school texts, students share input/opinions, debate, and examine story elements, character traits and impact, author's choices, etc. Discussions prepare students to deepen and refine their writing skills. Students are introduced to build their literary analysis skills on the elements of the persuasive paragraph.
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Persuasive Paragraph and Essay Writing for 5th - 8th Graders
Two session per week (45 minutes). One on one.
Based on the ACER essay model, students will build their skills in the elements of writing a high impact persuasive paragraph and/or essay. Students will have ample opportunity to rehearse their ideas to learn to write with precise and descriptive language. Students will focus on each element of assertion, context, evidence, and reasoning to prepare them for high school and college.
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Alan Caro
A second career educator with dual K-6 and Special Ed Certifications (MD, NJ, NY), Alan is currently a Middle School Learning Specialist at a private school. Alan is trained in Esther Sands' Multi-Sensory Phonetics Program (Reading Reform Foundation) which is a high impact Orton-Gillingham phonics, writing and spelling program for primary grade students. Alan is constantly learning new approaches to help students acquire lifelong skills which will lead to their success in middle school, high school, college and beyond. He integrates a variety of techniques from the Readers/Writers Workshop, Waldorf, education, The Writing Revolution, etc
Reviews...
Builds My Son's Confidence
Alan is an excellent teacher. He's very patient and finds creative ways to help keep our son engaged and attentive. He has made such a difference in our son’s confidence and understanding of how to segment sounds and blend them together. The debrief after each session is incredibly helpful and gives a clear understanding of what has been achieved so far and sets up the week for additional learning. We strongly recommend Alan.
Lauren, current Phonics student.
Help for My Dyslexic Son
My son (who is dyslexic) really enjoyed his lessons with Alan. The repetitive yet fun nature the lessons easily allowed my son to remember phonics rules, vowels, etc. Alan is also very open to feedback and changing lessons to meet the needs of his students.
Michelle, 10 summer Phonics lessons.
Honest and patient
Alan has done wonders with our daughter in giving her the confidence to write and in just a short time her writing has improved dramatically. She now likes to write which is the first step...
Yogini, 8 Middle School Writing lessons.
Great Tutor
Alan is very attentive and has great strategy for building reading comprehension. He has only had 2 lessons with my son but I already see improvement in his confidence. My son looks forward to the sessions now. Very grateful that I found him.
Malika, 15 2nd Grade Reading lessons.