Liberty Belle My Learning Farm's mini donkey was born right on the farm 8 years ago on the Fourth of July-Happy Birthday, Liberty! There are many things I love about the Fourth of July—family gatherings, backyard barbecues, waving flags, fireworks lighting up the night sky, and celebrating the incredible freedoms we enjoy here in America, but at My Learning Farm, the Fourth of July is extra special. It's also Liberty Belle's birthday! 🇺🇸 Eight years ago, on the Fourth of J

California's children deserve better. That simple truth is why I have serious concerns about Assembly Bill 181 (2026) and the proposed restructuring of California's educational leadership. Supporters describe AB 181 as a way to streamline state government by transferring the day-to-day management of the California Department of Education from the elected State Superintendent to a Governor-appointed Director of Education. They argue it will create clearer lines of accountabili

One of my favorite parts of working with families is that parents ask thoughtful, heartfelt questions every single day. Many of those questions become the inspiration for this new blog series, Parents Ask Me..., where I'll answer some of the most common questions I hear from families. Today's question came from a parent who simply asked: "What are the first signs of dyslexia?" It's an important question because the earlier we recognize that a child may be struggling, the soon

One of my favorite parts of every day at My Learning Farm isn't teaching phonics, working through math problems, or even spending time with the animals. It's talking with parents. Every week, I have conversations with families who are doing everything they can to help their children learn and grow. They ask thoughtful questions, celebrate small victories, worry about challenges, and simply want to know they're making the right decisions for their child. And I've realized some

It may be the most emotional question I hear. Parents usually ask it quietly. Sometimes through tears. Sometimes after years of trying curriculum after curriculum, wondering if they're doing enough or if they've somehow missed something. "Will my child ever catch up?" The answer isn't as simple as yes or no. Every child is unique, and every learning journey looks different. But here's what I can tell you with confidence: Children can make remarkable progress when they rece

At My Learning Farm, I believe children thrive when learning is explicit, multisensory, evidence-based, engaging, and meaningful. I don't typically write controversial posts, but the latest Education Scorecard data stopped me in my tracks. According to the report, reading scores are down in 83% of school districts across America, and math scores are down in 70%. Perhaps even more concerning, researchers found that the decline began before COVID. Like many people, I've heard

How Much More Evidence Do We Need? The latest Education Scorecard findings should stop every parent, educator, policymaker, and school leader in their tracks. According to researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth, reading scores are lower in 83% of school districts than they were a decade ago. Math scores are lower in 70% of districts. Even more concerning, researchers report that the decline began long before COVID-19. The pandemic may have accelerated the problem,

As an educator, parent, and advocate for students who learn differently, I spend a lot of time thinking about one question: How do we help more children become successful readers? Recently, education researchers, policymakers, and school leaders across the country have been paying attention to an unexpected story. Mississippi—a state that has historically struggled with educational outcomes—is now outperforming many states, including California, in early reading achievement.

One of the greatest joys of My Learning Farm isn't found in a curriculum, an assessment report, or a lesson plan. It's found in the little treasures that children place into my hands. A flower picked from a backyard garden. A feather discovered on a walk. A smooth rock tucked into a pocket because, "Ms. Sara, I thought you would like this." A carefully folded card covered in crayon hearts. A loaf of homemade bread. Fresh-baked cookies. A tiny trinket found at a store

One of the most common pieces of advice parents hear when they raise concerns about reading is, "Let's just wait and see." On the surface, it sounds reasonable. Children develop at different rates, and not every child who struggles with reading in kindergarten or first grade has a learning difference. Some children simply need a little more time, a little more maturity, or a little more practice. But there is another side of the conversation that families deserve to hear. As

Summer offers something that many children desperately need: space. Space to breathe. Space to explore. Space to wonder. After a long school year filled with schedules, homework, testing, deadlines, and expectations, summer can be a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with the heart of learning. At My Learning Farm, I believe learning should be joyful, student-led, discovery-based, skill-building, and filled with curiosity. Yes, children need strong academic skills. Reading,

Homeschooling can be one of the most rewarding educational journeys a family can take—but it can also feel overwhelming at first. Questions like: Which homeschool option is right for my family? What curriculum should I choose? How much should my child be learning each day? What if my child struggles with reading, writing, spelling, or math? How do homeschool charters work? Where do I even begin? If these questions sound familiar, you're not alone. Every year, I meet families

If you have spent any time in parenting, education, homeschool, or literacy circles recently, you have probably heard the phrase: “The Science of Reading.” And for many parents, the immediate response is:“What exactly does that even mean?” Recently, more states, universities, and teacher preparation programs have continued shifting toward Science of Reading and structured literacy approaches as concerns about student literacy rates continue growing nationwide. A recent artic

Over the past several years, many parents and educators have quietly noticed something concerning: More children are struggling to read. Not just a little behind. Not simply “late bloomers.”But truly struggling with reading fluency, stamina, confidence, comprehension, spelling, writing, and vocabulary development. Recently, the Los Angeles Times published an article by Howard Blume titled “Reading Scores Continue Declining as Educators Sound the Alarm” highlighting the ongoi

Learning to read can feel a little bit like learning to ride a bicycle. At first, children wobble. They need help. They fall off and try again. Then one day, something clicks. Before long, they are riding with confidence. Reading develops in much the same way. Many parents assume children naturally learn to read if they are surrounded by books. While books and reading aloud are incredibly important, science tells us that reading is not a natural process. Unlike speaking, ou

California families have never had more educational choices than they do today. Traditional public schools, homeschool programs, charter schools, independent study options, microschools, hybrid learning models, learning centers, private schools, online programs, and individualized academic support have become part of the educational landscape for hundreds of thousands of families across our state. That's why the 2026 race for California Superintendent of Public Instruction is

If you've ever found yourself wondering: Is my child struggling more than they should? Should I pursue an assessment? What curriculum should I be using? Is homeschooling the right fit? Does my child need an IEP or 504 Plan? What do I do next? At My Learning Farm, we offer three types of Educational Consultations: 🌱 Traditional School Consultations Review academic concerns in reading, writing, spelling, and math Discuss whether an academic assessment may be beneficial Underst

I don't usually write about politics. Most days, my focus is on helping a struggling reader decode a new word, supporting a family through an IEP meeting, guiding homeschooling parents through curriculum choices, or celebrating a student's hard-earned success. Politics rarely enters the conversation. But sometimes education and politics collide in a way that is simply too important to ignore. This is one of those moments. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, author of AB 84, is no

When people talk about Finland’s education system, it can sometimes sound like a fairy tale: children with more play, less testing, highly respected teachers, and schools built around trust. But Finland is not magic. It is not perfect. And it is not the United States. Still, there is something deeply hopeful about looking at a country that chose, very intentionally, to build an education system around equity, teacher professionalism, child development, and support for all le

Does your child groan when it's time to read? Do reading assignments sometimes end in frustration, tears, or battles at the kitchen table? If so, READS! Is the perfect class! At My Learning Farm, I believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of stories. My Learning Farm READS! Greenhouse classroom: curl up on a daybed, listen to the birds and feel a breeze while listening to novels and stretch vocabulary, spelling, written expression with crafts, proje