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Signs of Dysgraphia Parents Often Miss
This is my son, Ryker, who has dysgraphia & worked so hard to build writing skills-he's why I do what I do for all kiddos! Sometimes dysgraphia is obvious—messy handwriting, slow writing speed, tears at homework time. But other times, the signs are more subtle. Here are common signs of dysgraphia I see with students (especially in homeschool and charter settings): ✏️ Writing takes forever ✏️ Your child avoids writing—even when they know the answer ✏️ Spelling seems inconsist
saramattia1313
3 days ago1 min read


There Is Hope for Children with Dyscalculia 💛
My Learning Farm creates a safe, fun, individualized space for students to thrive. If math has become a daily battle in your home, it can start to feel overwhelming. You may be wondering: Will this always be this hard?Will my child ever “get it”?What does the future look like? And if your child has dyscalculia—or you suspect they might—those worries can feel even heavier. But here is what I want you to know: There is hope. Real hope. Dyscalculia does not define your child’s
saramattia1313
5 days ago1 min read


Why Timed Math Tests Can Be So Harmful
Timed math tests often measure speed, not understanding—and for students with dyscalculia and learning differences, they can be deeply discouraging. Students at My Learning Farm ind math success in their own time and space. At My Learning Farm, math is untimed and pressure-free. Children are given the time their brains need to think, process, and understand. This builds confidence instead of fear. Math confidence grows in calm, supportive environments.
saramattia1313
7 days ago1 min read


🌿 Interested in Homeschooling but Don’t Know Where to Start?
Start at My Learning Farm with a Homeschool Consultation If you’ve found yourself wondering… “Is homeschooling the right choice for my child?” “Where do I even begin?” “What about curriculum, schedules, or socialization?” Please know—you are not alone. 💛 For many families, the idea of homeschooling can feel both exciting and overwhelming. There’s a deep desire to support your child in a more personalized way… paired with a long list of unknowns. That’s exactly why I created
saramattia1313
Apr 112 min read


🌻 Where Learning Grows… and Confidence Blooms 🌻
At My Learning Farm, learning looks a little different—and that’s exactly the point. 💛 In a world where education can sometimes feel rushed, overwhelming, or one-size-fits-all, My Learning Farm offers something more intentional. Here, learning is nurtured slowly, thoughtfully, and with purpose—just like anything we grow on the farm. We believe that when children feel safe, supported, and understood, they begin to take risks, build skills, and most importantly… believe in the
saramattia1313
Apr 102 min read


Progress Looks Different for Every Child 🌾
Dolly the duck knows that each child blooms at their own pace. One of the hardest parts of supporting a child who struggles with math is watching other kids seem to “get it” faster. It’s easy to start comparing.It ’s easy to feel worried.It ’s easy to wonder if your child is falling behind. But here is the truth: There is no single timeline for math growth. And for students with dyscalculia, progress often looks different than people expect. Some children grow in big leaps.So
saramattia1313
Apr 81 min read


What Is Dysgraphia? (Parent-Friendly Explanation)
If your child can tell you amazing stories out loud—but freezes the moment they have to write them down—you are not alone. Many families come to My Learning Farm feeling confused and worried, wondering why writing feels so hard. Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects written expression. It can show up in handwriting, spelling, sentence structure, organization, or the ability to get thoughts onto paper. Some kids struggle with letter formation and spacing. Others ca
saramattia1313
Apr 61 min read


Structured Writing Support at My Learning Farm (What It Looks Like)
Parents often ask me, “What does writing support actually look like at My Learning Farm?” It looks like this: 💛 safe, supportive instruction 🌱 structured steps ✏️ real skill-building 🐐 and lots of encouragement (sometimes with farm animal breaks!) We focus on: ✔️ sentence building and expansion ✔️ organization and planning ✔️ spelling strategies that support writing ✔️ writing stamina (without burnout) ✔️ editing skills in a kind, doable way ✔️ tools like graphic organizer
saramattia1313
Apr 31 min read


Dysgraphia vs. “Messy Handwriting” — What’s the Difference?
A lot of kids have messy handwriting. That doesn’t always mean dysgraphia. So how do you tell the difference? Messy handwriting might improve with: ✔️ practice ✔️ maturity ✔️ slower pacing ✔️ reminders to “write neatly” But with dysgraphia, the struggle is deeper. Writing may stay hard even when a child tries their best. A child with dysgraphia may: ✏️ write very slowly ✏️ avoid writing completely ✏️ struggle to copy accurately ✏️ forget how to form letters they “know” ✏️ pro
saramattia1313
Mar 301 min read


🌿 How Morphology and Etymology Strengthen Reading, Spelling, and Comprehension at My Learning Farm
At My Learning Farm , we believe strong literacy grows when students understand how words work , not just how they sound. Instead of relying on memorization, we teach students to investigate language through morphology and etymology . These tools help students unlock spelling, improve reading, and deepen comprehension. When children understand how words are built and where they come from , literacy begins to make sense. 🌱 What Is Morphology? Morphology is the study of the m
saramattia1313
Mar 272 min read


The Science of Reading: How Meaning and Sentences Support Comprehension
In our previous post, we explored two parts of the POSSUM framework used in the Science of Reading: • Phonology – the sounds in words • Orthography – how sounds connect to letters Today we’ll look at the next two pieces that help children move from decoding words to truly understanding what they read: Semantics and Syntax. Semantics: Understanding Word Meaning Semantics refers to the meaning of words . Many English words have multiple meanings , which can sometimes confus
saramattia1313
Mar 252 min read


The Science of Reading: How Word Parts Build Strong Readers
Through this two-part series, we’ve been exploring the POSSUM framework , a helpful way to understand how language systems work together when children learn to read. So far we’ve covered: • Phonology – sounds in words • Orthography – spelling patterns • Semantics – word meanings • Syntax – sentence structure Today we’ll look at the final piece: Morphology. Morphology: Understanding Word Parts Morphology is the study of word parts and how they change meaning . Many Engli
saramattia1313
Mar 232 min read


🌻 Meet My Learning Farm & Ms. Sara 🌻
Where Learning Grows, Confidence Builds, and Every Child Belongs At My Learning Farm, learning looks a little different—and that’s exactly the point. 💛 Nestled in the heart of Penryn, My Learning Farm is a place where students can slow down, feel safe, and truly grow. Whether your child is thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, we meet them right where they are and build from there. Hi, I’m Ms. Sara 👋—founder of My Learning Farm, educator, and advocate for children
saramattia1313
Mar 192 min read


New Class: Stories Come Alive on the Farm 26-27 Tues 10-noon Registration is OPEN
In My Learning Farm READS! , Ms. Sara does all of the reading aloud , so children can fully enjoy rich stories without pressure. This makes the class especially perfect for reluctant readers or children who have had challenging reading experiences. This small-group class is designed for up to 12 students in grades 2–6 and meets for 12 two-hour classes on Tuesdays from 10:00–12:00 . Sessions are offered September–November and January–April for the 2026–2027 school year . 👉
saramattia1313
Mar 181 min read


🌻 Summer Is a Beautiful Time for Learning to Grow
Summer brings a slower rhythm. The school-year rush quiets, schedules soften, and children often have the space they need to focus, breathe, and build confidence in their learning. My Learning Farm Summer Session is a GREAT time to jump into academics in a supportive 1:1 farm setting. At My Learning Farm , summer can be a powerful time to strengthen academic skills in a calm, encouraging environment. With fewer distractions and a gentle pace, students are able to focus deeply
saramattia1313
Mar 161 min read


Understanding the Science of Reading: Meet the POSSuM Framework
At My Learning Farm , reading instruction is grounded in the Science of Reading (SOR) —a large body of research that explains how the brain learns to read. When children receive instruction that aligns with this research, they develop stronger decoding skills, better spelling, richer vocabulary, and deeper comprehension. One way to understand how reading works is through the POSSuM framework . This model highlights five important language systems that work together when we re
saramattia1313
Mar 132 min read


A Reading Class Without Reading Pressure
My Learning Farm READS! classes take place in our NEW greenhouse Many children love stories but feel overwhelmed by reading. In READS!, Ms. Sara does all of the reading , allowing students to focus on comprehension, vocabulary, and enjoyment—making this class ideal for reluctant readers . This class is limited to 12 students, grades 2–6 , meeting Tuesdays from 10–12 for 12 sessions in Fall and Spring 2026–27 . 👉 Learn more and register today: 🔗 https://www.mylearningfar
saramattia1313
Mar 111 min read


Confidence-First Writing Instruction (Why It Matters)
Building Confidence, safety, support, success are what we do here at My Learning Farm Some kids stop trying in writing not because they don’t care—but because they care too much. They’ve been corrected so many times that writing feels like failure waiting to happen. That’s why confidence-first writing instruction matters. At My Learning Farm, we focus on: 🌱 progress over perfection 🌱 small wins every session 🌱 teaching the “how,” not just assigning the “what” 🌱 celebratin
saramattia1313
Mar 91 min read


“My Child Has Great Ideas… But Can’t Write Them Down”
This is one of the most common things parents tell me. Your child can explain things beautifully out loud—then their writing looks like: ❌ one short sentence ❌ missing details ❌ poor spelling ❌ incomplete thoughts ❌ “I don’t know what to write” That gap between oral language and written output is extremely common for students with dysgraphia or written expression challenges. Writing requires: 🧠 planning 🧠 sequencing 🧠 holding ideas in memory 🧠 spelling 🧠 handwriting or t
saramattia1313
Mar 61 min read


🌻 The Secret to Strong Readers & Spellers? Morphology. 🌻
When families ask me,“What really helps kids improve in reading, spelling, and comprehension?” My answer is simple: 👉 Morphology. 🌾 What Is Morphology? Morphology is the study of word structure — how words are built from meaningful parts called morphemes . For example: unhelpful un- (not) help (base) -ful (full of) When a child understands how a word is built, they don’t just memorize it — they understand it. That’s spelling.That’s vocabulary.That’s comprehension. 🌱 Pe
saramattia1313
Mar 42 min read
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