FAQs

What is Accelerated Systematic Phonics?

This course is a structured, research-based phonics program designed to help students strengthen their reading, spelling, and fluency skills. It follows a systematic, explicit approach based on the Science of Reading, ensuring mastery of foundational literacy skills in a clear and effective way.

What makes this course accelerated is its efficient, fast-paced structure, allowing students to move quickly through concepts without unnecessary repetition. It is designed for students who:

✔ Grasp new concepts easily and are ready for to gain phonics skills quickly.
✔ Are strong readers but struggle with spelling and need structured word study to improve accuracy.
✔ Have foundational skills but need to refine fluency and spelling for greater reading efficiency.
✔ Are older students who need to strengthen key literacy skills without utilizing elementary curriculum that feels too primary for their age.

This course ensures that students who can learn at a faster pace have the opportunity to develop literacy skills efficiently, while still maintaining the depth and structure necessary for long-term success.

What are the age ranges for the small group and classroom style courses?

  • For the Small Group courses there are groups for students ages 8-10. (Contact about 7 year old).

  • Another group will be for students ages 11 and up (including teens).

  • If your child is close to the age cutoff, you can choose the group that best fits their developmental level and learning style.

  • For the Classroom-Style Large Group Class, I will divide the class into separate age groups if there are enough registrants. The specific age ranges will be determined based on enrollment to ensure appropriate grouping for all students.

Do you offer discounts or payment plans?

Yes! Families can choose from:
✔ Monthly payments spread across 9 months
✔ A one-time payment for the full course

At this time I do not offer discounts. I am working at applying for grants to provide scholarships in the future.

What happens if my child misses a class?

I will record the Classroom-Style Large Group Class, and students who miss a session will have access to the lesson recording to watch at their convenience. Additionally, they will receive a student-paced version of the Pear Deck lesson, allowing them to actively engage and follow along while watching the recording. This ensures they can still participate in the interactive elements of the lesson and stay on track with the course content.

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

  • Monthly payments are non-refundable once the month has started.

  • If paying in full, a prorated refund plus payment through the end of the current month may be available upon contacting me.

  • Missed sessions are non-refundable but will include a summary of key concepts.

How do I know which course format is best for my child?

  • Private 1-on-1 Tutoring: Best for students who need intensive, individualized instruction, have behavioral or scheduling challenges, or require a fully customized approach.

  • Small Group Course (up to 5 students): Ideal for students who benefit from peer interaction but still need plenty of individualized guidance and a slower pace.

  • Classroom-Style Course (15-25 students): Designed for students who can work more independently, grasp concepts quickly when taught explicitly, and have parent support at home to reinforce learning.

If you're unsure which is the best fit, contact me, and I’ll help guide you!

Who is this Accelerated course not for?

While this course is designed to help students build strong reading and decoding skills using structured literacy principles, it may not be the right fit for:

❌ Children who have already mastered advanced phonics and fluency – If your child reads and spells effortlessly at or above grade level and no longer needs phonics instruction, this course may not provide the challenge they need.

❌ Families looking for a quick-fix or passive learning – Reading development takes consistent practice and engagement. This course is designed for students who will actively participate and apply the strategies taught.

❌ Students who need whole-word memorization instead of phonics-based instruction – This course follows the Science of Reading, focusing on decoding skills rather than rote memorization of words.

❌ Parents who prefer a hands-off approach – Caregiver involvement is encouraged to reinforce skills at home, as a supportive learning environment accelerates progress.

❌ Children with severe speech-language, behavioral, cognitive delays or unaddressed vision/hearing challenges – While structured literacy benefits many learners, including those with these listed needs, some children may require more intensive plans to meet their needs. I do work with children who have more significant barriers to reading in 1 on 1 tutoring.

This course is best suited for students who need explicit, structured instruction in decoding, encoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies—all backed by the Science of Reading. If you're unsure whether this is the right fit, feel free to reach out! 😊

What are the differences between the Large Group and Small Group classes?

Both the Large Group and Small Group classes will be highly interactive, with on-screen participation using Pear Deck to ensure all students stay actively engaged throughout the lesson. However, there are key differences in how each class will function:

📌 Large Group Class (15-25 students)

  • Lesson Recordings: Sessions will be recorded for future students.

  • Participation: Students will engage primarily through Pear Deck activities, screen-sharing, polls, and written responses rather than speaking.

  • No Unmuting Required: To maintain a smooth and distraction-free experience, I will not call on students to unmute and speak. This also ensures student privacy in recorded lessons.

  • Best for: Students who can follow along independently and engage comfortably through digital participation.

📌 Small Group Class (Up to 5 students)

  • No Lesson Recordings: These sessions will not be recorded to allow for a more interactive experience.

  • Participation: Students will unmute, answer questions, read aloud, and receive personalized feedback throughout the lesson.

  • More Direct Interaction: Because of the small class size, students will have more opportunities for verbal engagement and individualized instruction.

  • Best for: Students who benefit from direct teacher interaction, verbal participation, and live feedback.

Both formats provide structured, engaging literacy instruction, but the level of direct interaction and how participation is handled differs. If you're unsure which class is the best fit, feel free to contact me for guidance! 😊

Required Materials & Technology for This Course

For this course, you will need the following materials:
💻 A computer or tablet with internet access
🎧 Headphones for clear audio during virtual lessons
📝 Lined whiteboard (Favorite, I use this one) (2nd Favorite - great for older students) (Thrifty option)
🖊️ Dry erase markers and an eraser
✏️ Pencils

This course incorporates Pear Deck to enhance student interaction. To ensure a smooth and engaging experience, I recommend:
1️⃣ Using two devices—one for the class meeting and one for Pear Deck, or using dual monitors (preferred).
2️⃣ Splitting the screen on a single device (less preferred).

Additionally, links to digital downloads of course materials will be provided as needed.

Will there be homework?

I will provide links to digital games designed to reinforce the skills taught in each lesson. While these activities are optional, they offer a fun and engaging way to strengthen and retain newly learned concepts.

Can I sit with my child during class?

Parents are welcome to observe quietly but should allow their child to engage independently. For younger students or those needing extra support, parents may help facilitate activities if needed.

Is this class right for my 6-7-year-old?

This course is best suited for young students who are already reading and developing literacy skills with ease. If your child is progressing in reading, enjoys learning new phonics patterns, has stamina for ample writing tasks and can grasp concepts quickly, they may thrive in this class.

However, if your child is still working on basic decoding skills of CVC words or requires significant support to progress in reading, this course may be too advanced, as it covers phonics concepts that go beyond the typical curriculum for this age group.

Additionally, students should be able to:
✔ Stay engaged for the full class duration without frequent redirection.
✔ Participate in a virtual learning environment without significant difficulty.
✔ Follow teacher-led instruction and complete interactive tasks with minimal assistance.

✔✔✔✔✔ MUST BE ABLE TO WRITE ALL LETTERS

If you're unsure whether this course is the right fit, feel free to reach out, and I’d be happy to help determine the best option for your child!

If This Curriculum Starts with Letter Sounds, How Is It a Good Fit for My Older Student Who Is Already a Reader?

This course is not just about learning to read—it’s about deeply understanding how the English language works. Many older students who can read fluently still struggle with spelling, decoding unfamiliar words, and understanding why words are spelled the way they are. This course goes beyond memorization and teaches the “why” behind spelling rules, helping students become more confident, efficient readers and writers.

Ask yourself:
✔ Does your child know what a reduction is, how it impacts spelling, and how to spot them?
✔ Can your child explain how concepts like fricatives, liquids, and nasal sounds help them understand spelling rules?
✔ Do they understand why words are spelled a certain way, rather than just memorizing patterns?
✔ Can they accurately sound out long, unfamiliar words by identifying and decoding syllable types rather than guessing?
✔ Do they know the seven jobs of the letter “e” and how they impact spelling?

These are just a few of the concepts covered in this course. By rebuilding the foundation of their spelling and phonics knowledge, students will develop stronger spelling skills, more precise reading fluency, and a deeper understanding of the English language. This course is designed to fill in knowledge gaps, ensuring that reading and spelling become intentional, strategic, and automatic rather than relying on memorization alone.

If your child struggles with spelling or has difficulty breaking down unknown words while reading, this course will provide the missing tools they need for long-term literacy success.