When people think about learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or other academic struggles, they often focus on grades, reading levels, or test scores. But behind many struggling learners is something much deeper:emotion. At My Learning Farm, we often meet children who are not only struggling academically, but are also quietly carrying frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, self-doubt, or fear around learning. Some children begin to believe: “I’m du

Summer should feel joyful, relaxed, and full of connection — not pressure. But for parents of children who struggle with reading, it can also bring worries about lost skills or falling behind. The good news? Reading growth during summer does not need to feel like school. At My Learning Farm, we encourage families to focus on small, encouraging moments that build confidence and help children enjoy reading again. 💛 Start Small Reading practice does not need to last an hour. Fo

There’s something so bittersweet about the end of a school year here at My Learning Farm. 🌾💛 As the final lessons are taught, the folders are packed away, and the barn slowly quiets down, I always find myself sitting in a space of deep gratitude. Every year, I begin with plans, calendars, curriculum maps, goals, and hopeful dreams for the students who walk through the gate. But what unfolds over the months becomes so much bigger than academics. It becomes relationships. It

There is something so bittersweet about this time of year at My Learning Farm. The end of the school year always brings happy tears, full hearts, and quiet moments of reflection for me. I watch students graduate, move forward, and step into new chapters of life. While it is never truly goodbye, it is a gentle “happy trails until we meet again.” 💛 Every student who walks through the gates of My Learning Farm leaves little footprints on my heart, but every so often there is a

For many children, learning to read happens naturally over time. But for some students — especially those with dyslexia or other learning differences — reading can feel confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming. That’s where Orton-Gillingham structured literacy comes in. At My Learning Farm, we use evidence-based, multisensory structured literacy approaches rooted in Orton-Gillingham principles to help students build strong reading, writing, and spelling skills with confidenc

At My Learning Farm, there is something incredibly special about supporting a child complete a level in an Orton-Gillingham structured literacy program 🌻 Those moments are never just about moving on to the next step in instruction. To me, they represent perseverance, courage, trust, and the deep belief that every child can learn to read when instruction truly meets them where they are 💛 My heart smiles so big every single time a student reaches that milestone 🥹📖 For many

One of the most common questions parents ask is:“Should I pursue a private evaluation or request testing through the school?” The answer depends on your child’s needs, your goals, and the type of information you are hoping to gather. While both evaluations can provide valuable insight, they serve very different purposes. 🏫 School-Based Evaluations A school-based evaluation is completed by the public school district after a parent requests an assessment. The primary purpose o

Realizing your child may be struggling in school can feel emotional and overwhelming. Many parents wonder where to start, what to ask for, and how the process works. Please know this—you are not alone, and advocating for your child is one of the most loving and powerful things you can do. Here is a simple breakdown of the special education evaluation process in California: ✏️ Step 1: Write a Formal Request Letter The first step is to send a written letter or email to the scho

Dolly the duck says go to MyLearningFarm.com and check out the resources page for more information If your child struggles with writing, the right tools can make a world of difference. Tools don’t “cheat”—they remove barriers so students can show what they know. Here are some dysgraphia-friendly supports many families love: 🖊️ Erasable pens (smooth writing, less fear of mistakes) ✏️ Pencil grips (support comfort + control) 📏 Highlight strips or reading windows (reduce visua

If you’ve found yourself nodding along while reading our blogs, saving posts to come back to later, or sharing them with a friend who “just gets it”—you’re in the right place. At My Learning Farm, we believe parents deserve clear, supportive, and practical information when it comes to helping children learn, grow, and thrive. Whether you’re navigating dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, homeschooling, special education support, or simply looking for better ways to build

If your child struggles with handwriting, avoids writing assignments, or seems to know the answer but can’t get it onto paper, you may have heard things like, “They just need to try harder,” or “Their handwriting is just messy.” You’re not alone. Dysgraphia is often misunderstood, and many families don’t realize that writing struggles can be tied to a real learning difference—not laziness or lack of effort. At My Learning Farm, we support many bright, capable students who fee

If your child struggles with math facts, counting, telling time, or understanding numbers—and you’ve heard, “They just need more practice” or “Some kids just aren’t math people”—you’re not alone. Dyscalculia is one of the most misunderstood learning differences, and many families don’t realize that ongoing math struggles may be tied to something much deeper than simply “not liking math.” At My Learning Farm, we work with many bright, capable students who feel frustrated and d

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “They’ll grow out of it,” or “Dyslexia just means letters are backwards,” you’re not alone. There are so many myths surrounding dyslexia, and unfortunately, those misunderstandings can delay the support children truly need. At My Learning Farm, we work with families every day who are trying to understand why their bright, capable child is struggling with reading, spelling, or writing. The good news? With the right support, children with dysle

As parents, we all want the same thing—to see our children feel confident, capable, and successful. But when a child struggles with reading, writing, spelling, or math, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. Often, families are met with well-meaning advice like “They’ll catch up,” “They just need more practice,” or “They’re just not trying hard enough.” Supporting students who learn differently are the HEART of everything I do at My Learning Farm The truth is, many of these

Copywork is often recommended for handwriting and writing improvement. And sometimes it can help—but for students with dysgraphia, copywork can backfire. Here’s why: When a child is copying, their brain is juggling: 🧠 looking at the model 🧠 holding it in memory 🧠 finding the place again 🧠 forming letters 🧠 spacing correctly 🧠 staying on the line 🧠 not losing their spot That is a LOT. Instead of improving writing skills, copywork can cause: ❌ fatigue ❌ sloppy output ❌

There is something so special happening here at My Learning Farm… and I couldn’t wait to share it with you....Our My Learning Farm READS! greenhouse classroom is coming along beautifully, and it is quickly becoming one of the most magical learning spaces on the farm. Filled with natural light, surrounded by growing things, and designed to feel warm, calm, and inspiring—this space was created with our students in mind. Check out this sneak peek video of the classroom-I'm still

New! My Learning Farm READS is a joyful reading experience where Ms. Sara does ALL the reading! At My Learning Farm READS! we center joy, curiosity, and community — not performance metrics, not pressure. This is a place where learners in grades 2–6 come together to experience books, connect with ideas, and grow their confidence as listeners, thinkers, and creators. Every session, Ms. Sara reads aloud while students listen, discuss, and respond — in a nurturing classroom where

Thank You ❤️ Before anything else, thank you. To the incredible crew at Fire Door Services—Nick, Chris, Crash, Jared, Mikey, AJ, and Harry—thank you for helping bring one of the biggest dreams of My Learning Farm to life-READS! I know I was probably your most “extra” customer. I peeked in often, took pictures, made change orders, expanded the scope, and definitely had “just one more idea” more times than anyone should reasonably tolerate. But I was also your most grateful cu

There’s a large and growing body of evidence showing that reading aloud is far more than a cozy activity — it’s one of the most impactful instructional practices for building literacy and fostering lifelong learners. 📚 Builds Vocabulary & Language Skills Listening to rich, expressive language exposes students to words and structures they don’t encounter in everyday talk — often three times more new words than conversational speech — expanding their vocabulary and expressiv

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