Starts on Monday, June 10th for an entire eight weeks. If you are a week or two late no worries
WE WILL BE TRAVELING TO UNKNOWN PLACES, FAMILIAR PLACES AND PLACES YOU DREAM ABOUT.
GET YOUR SUMMER READING READY…
Learn 10 ways to help reduce the summer slide this year.
The letter I from above means I get to choose a book. Let your child pick a book from the library in the neighborhood or at school.
P – Purpose, why are they choosing that book. Is it for entertainment, information or learning how to do something?
I – Interest, does that book interest them? It does not matter if it is fiction, non-fiction, fantasy or another genre.
C – Comprehend, can they comprehend the story or even a page and tell you what they read? To be able to understand what they learn is an essential skill as they continue through school.
K – Know – If your child were to read a page (any page) out loud to you would they know every word? Pronounce them correctly and read with accuracy and fluency?
After learning how to choose your “Just Right” books and managing to work through and allowing your child to “I PICK” their books there are many different titles available.
As the title states, this is about a day in the life of an online reading tutor. That’s right I am an online reading tutor if you haven’t guessed already. I have been tutoring in my community for just about six years now and the past two have included mainly online services. I currently have twelve online reading students across the United States but that is not all.
Update November 2021 Since I wrote this article so many things have changed. So I am updating this article. As I mentioned I have been an online reading tutor since 2017, but prior to that, I was a Special Educator with a Masters and even before that worked in a Preschool for Children with Disabilities (PCSD) on Misawa AB, Japan.
On a normal day I get up at 4:00 am whether or not I have a student at 4:30. That way I can keep a little bit of regularity to my schedule. What do I do so early in the morning? Well, for the past three years I have been teaching children in China with a company called VIPKID.
They are always hiring qualified teachers so click the link below and you will be able to contribute to household expenses even before everyone else’s day has begun. I love it! It is quiet, I get to see some amazing smiling faces every day.
First and foremost you need to have a permanent smile. Some days this is harder than others it is 4 AM. Actually, you need to have at least a bachelors degree and their requirements have changed this year about having a teaching degree of some kind. If you can show that you have classroom experience in some way. Then there is the interview process.
Update: November 2021 The Minister of Education recently has made it against the law for children to recieve extra tutoring. So VIPKID is no longer allowing us to teach.
It is still early but the next part of my day I would not change for the world. I know a few of you know that I am a grandma (Oma) to an amazing 4-year-old little boy. Who just went through the potty training fun time! Thanks to my daughter’s help! Four days a week he goes to preschool for two and a half hours. Yep, every minute counts. (Update: Almost 7 year old and in 1st grade.
I have just started this but on three days a week at least I go work out. They opened a Planet Fitness in my town and I started slow but I do 30 minutes on the elliptical. It works the arms and legs both at the same time. I keep remembering watching the Biggest Loser on tv. I have even cooked a few recipes in this cookbook The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You: Lose Weight and Get Healthy For Life!
On Monday’s I have decided to do Facebook Lives to share some of the things I am doing with my business, answer questions about online tutoring and any questions you may have about reading. If you are interested go to my Facebook site and hit notifications and the like button so you will know when I go LIVE.
Well, exercise has been a bit difficult for me. I forgot to mention in March 2020, the world pandemic shuts everything down. COVID, ugh!
Well, Oma time is over for a bit. I go to school to pick up my favorite sidekick. We normally just head home and have lunch and watch a movie. His favorite changes on a daily basis. Now that Summer is around the corner our schedule will definitely change.
We have fun together sometimes running errands or just hanging out together.
My evening and Saturday tutoring schedules fluctuate. Monday – Thursday I tutor 4 – 8 pm and on Saturday I tutor for 10 – 3. I love it! I would not change anything right now in my schedule. I guess based upon the year. During the school year, it is the same as mentioned. When Summer comes I do a reading Adventure.
(Update: since my grandson is in the 1st grade now I am able to work with homeschool families a couple days a week. I still work evening hours but I do take Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off)
After tutoring and kitchen is cleaned up I am able to sit and relax for a short time before I hit the hay. I try not to stay up too much past 9 PM. Then the day starts all over again.
I hope you enjoyed my story! I plan on adding a video that actually shows the day in the life of an online reading tutor.
As you may have figured out this is my version. Other reading tutors that you may know or have worked with, their day is completely different. Being able to work at home and do what I love there are just no words.
Thank you and have a wonderful day! See you soon 🙂
Multiple Intelligences, What are they? Have you ever wondered how your child learns? Or even what is the best way for your child to learn? Some children struggle with just reading and not math. Some struggle in math and not reading. How do you help the child who struggled in both? Have you ever wondered what is the best way for my child to learn?
Every child does learn differently. As a parent of four children, I could tell each one learned at their own pace and their own style. As I was in college and reading Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong (2000) I learned there are many different ways to help support children within the classroom setting.
As I expand my business to include courses this is one of the areas I will be sharing. I will be including how to best help your child based on Multiple Intelligence’s. Sign up below to receive updates on when the first course will be ready for you to register for. I am excited to be able to help children and families this way.
Courses that will begin to appear are:
Basics of helping your struggling reader
Phonics
Sight Words
Spelling
Comprehension and Vocabulary
Sign Up Now to receive updates!
You may wondering what is the difference between a reluctant or a struggling reader. A reluctant reader is a child who does not enjoy reading. They may be a little below grade level but not drastically. Here is a perfect article I found Learning How to Read: 10 Ways to Help a Reluctant Reader (Parenting, 2018) The struggling reader is someone who needs some early intervention. Reading Rockets is one of my go-to websites to find information that I provide for parents and teachers alike.
Recently, I was asked by a parent that I tutor, “What are some good chapter books?” So I let her know which ones I enjoy but for a child who struggles with reading these four were my first suggestions.
*affiliate links are being used in this post.
Henry and his dog Mudge enter a snowman contest in this nineteenth Ready-to-Read book of their adventures. Written by Cynthia Rylant
Henry sees a sign about a snowman contest in the park! Can Henry, his father, and his big dog Mudge come up with the best snowman plan to win the contest?
The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! The author is Mary Pope Osborne
Where did the tree house come from?
Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper. Written by Peggy Parish
From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her to do. If things get a bit mixed up, well, that’s okay. When Amelia Bedelia is involved, everything always turns out perfectly in the end! This Level 2 I Can Read is perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.
“No child can resist Amelia [Bedelia] and her literal trips through the minefield of the English language—and no adult can fail to notice that she’s usually right when she’s wrong.”—The New York Times Book Review
Here’s Henry is only one in a series of stories written by Henry Winkler
Hank stars the same Hank as in the bestselling Hank Zipzer series, only this time he’s in 2nd grade! Hank is a kid who doesn’t try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He’s pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) In the first book in this new series, Hank’s class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition and can only buzz like a fly. His teacher creates a special part for Hank, a silent bookmark. This may seem like an insignificant role, but when his enemy, Nick McKelty, freezes during the performance, it’s up to Hank to save the play!
A recent post that was written by Beth Sullivan, Reading and Writing Tutor she shared Do Graphic Novels count as “real reading?”
Beth states, that there are some up and downsides to graphic novels. However, as the parent that was looking for a book that would grab and keep their reluctant reader’s attention, I would say try it. As I tell my parents who ask, “what are some good books for my child?” I always mention you need to first see if the book is at their level.
Available now on Amazon is my eBook “Just Right” Books, helping your child become a successful reader. Or go to our Resource Page
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 12 Books Complete Collection Set Box of Books NEW Edition. Description: Titles in this collection: Diary Of a Wimpy Kid Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Rodrick Rules Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Last Straw Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Ugly Truth Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Cabin Fever Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Third Wheel Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Hard Luck Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Old School Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Double Down Diary Of a Wimpy Kid – Do-It-Yourself Book
I cannot believe it is our 5th birthday/anniversary whichever word you want to use. In November 2013 I began
Castle Rock Tutoring in Castle Rock, Colorado
It is now 2018, and so many things have changed. In the beginning, I was tutoring at the library (which I still do) and at students homes. That limited the number of students I could help. With travel time, carrying all of the tools that I needed for each student. I always wanted to include online students into the mix. Last year I decided to narrow down who I chose to work with and add online. I marketed and changed my name (sort of I guess) to Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor.
I took a leap of faith and asked one of my current families to give it a try. It worked, and I fell in love with the fact I can tutor children in reading over the computer. Currently, I see children all across the United States from Florida to California. I have seen many of them close their gaps in reading very quickly depending upon the child and their needs.
If you know of a child who struggles with reading (phonics, spelling, vocabulary), click the button below and fill out the information and I will contact you within 24 hours.
When I first started tutoring I thought this was a way to continue to help children in my community who struggled in school. As a certified Special Educator, I wanted to help all children in all areas. I continue to do my professional development but instead of focusing on many subjects I decided to condense my knowledge into reading. I took a Reading Interventionist course. This showed me how I could do tutoring online.
Thank You, Joanne Kaminski, Business Coach for Online Tutors
A resource page is being developed with many items that I use with my students as well as items that fellow tutors and families have shared. Visit the page and see if there is anything you would like or needs to be added.
During our birthday month, we will be having Friday Freebies! Every Friday during the month if you are on our email list you will be receiving a Freebie.
Last but not least, just as my front page says I am always updating and trying new things so that my students and now others can increase their reading skills. I am developing a course that will help parents learn just that. Stay tuned I will definitely let you know when it is up and ready!
children’s blocks with letters
