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

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

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

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

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

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 . 👉

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

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

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

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

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

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

At My Learning Farm, we believe something important: listening is learning. For many students—especially reluctant readers—being asked to read out loud can feel stressful, exhausting, or discouraging. But when the story is read to them, students can finally focus on the best part of reading: understanding, imagining, and connecting. That’s why I created the NEW My Learning Farm READS! classes —a joyful, supportive small-group experience where Ms. Sara does all of the reading

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is witnessing the many ways students show me who they are. Not just as learners — but as people. Over time, My Learning Farm becomes more than a place to practice reading, writing, spelling, and math. It becomes a place where students feel safe to share their lives, their interests, and their proud moments. And those moments are everything. Sharing their favorite pets with me It looks like a student bringing her cat — Fletcher — and

When families walk through the gate at My Learning Farm , they often carry more than paperwork, questions, or concerns. They carry a dream. The dream they had for their child.The picture they held in their heart — how school would feel, how learning would unfold, how confidence would grow. And sometimes, somewhere along the way, that dream changes. Sitting beside parents as they navigate special education is one of the greatest privileges of my life. It is sacred work. It is

If your child has dysgraphia, accommodations can be life-changing. Not because they lower expectations—but because they remove barriers. Helpful accommodations may include: 💻 typing instead of handwriting 🎤 speech-to-text for longer writing 📝 teacher-provided notes or outlines ⏳ extended time for writing assignments 📌 reduced copying demands 📚 alternative ways to show learning (oral responses, projects) 🧠 graphic organizers and sentence starters The goal is simple: Your

NEW for the 26-27 School Year Is your child not a confident reader yet? Perfect. In My Learning Farm READS! , Ms. Sara does the reading so students can relax, listen deeply, and truly fall in love with stories. 💛 This is the power of a structured read-aloud  — building vocabulary, comprehension, written expression, and critical thinking without the pressure of “performing” as a reader. Together we will: 🌱 Take a deep dive into rich vocabulary ✍🏼 Grow written expression ste

Every child learns differently and every child needs the right supports, tools to thrive If your child hates writing, the answer is not more worksheets and longer assignments. The best way to help is to: 💛 reduce overwhelm 💛 build skills in small steps 💛 use tools strategically 💛 create predictable routines 💛 celebrate effort 💛 teach writing explicitly And one more important thing: Let your child experience success quickly. At My Learning Farm, we often begin with writi

When I look back at my own children’s early years, I can see the signs so clearly now. But at the time, they just felt like quirks or personality and “they’ll grow out of it.” Before we ever had the word dyslexia , we had moments. Small ones. Confusing ones. Sometimes funny. Sometimes frustrating. And sometimes heartbreaking. If you are seeing similar things in your child, I want you to know: you are not imagining it. And you are not alone. 👟 Shoes on the Wrong Feet Over a

Some families carry more than backpacks and schedules. They carry anxiety. They carry fear. They carry the weight of daily battles no one else sees. I see parents sitting in cars with children who cannot bring themselves to enter a school building. I see kids frozen by fear, locked into their bodies, unable to feel safe enough to learn. I see reading masked by avoidance, behaviors masking overwhelm, and children doing everything they can to survive environments that don’t mee