Search this site

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 expressive capacity. 🧠 Boosts Comprehension When students listen to a skilled reader, they practice hearing meaning, predicting outcomes, understanding context, and making connections — all skills essential for deep reading. Research has found that read-aloud strategies significantly improve comprehension outcomes across students. 💬 Strengthens Listening & Speaking Listening comprehension typically exceeds reading comprehension in elementary and middle grades — meaning kids understand more than they can decode on their own. Read-alouds give them access to complex ideas they’re ready for, helping bridge that gap. 🎧 Models Fluent, Expressive Reading Students learn what good reading sounds like — rhythm, tone, phrasing — which supports their own fluency when they read aloud later. 🌍 Builds Background Knowledge Children who hear stories from diverse genres build rich world knowledge — a critical foundation for understanding texts they’ll encounter across subjects. 🤝 Creates a Community Around Stories Shared reading experiences naturally lead to discussions, perspective-sharing, and emotional connection — helping students develop empathy, communication skills, and a sense of belonging. 😊 Encourages Positive Associations with Reading Most importantly, when reading feels joyful and communal — not a test — students choose to engage with books, nurturing lifelong motivation and a love of stories. How My Learning Farm READS! Brings This to Life My Learning Farm READS! is not just literacy instruction — it’s an experience. Across 12 small-group sessions (Tuesdays, 10–12), students: ✨ Listen to carefully selected, meaningful texts ✨ Engage in thoughtful, supportive discussion ✨ Create responses (writing, art, projects) that deepen understanding ✨ Build confidence and curiosity in reading and beyond Because research shows that interactive read-alouds — where students are encouraged to think and talk about what they hear — amplify learning even more than passive listening alone , our class weaves in conversation, reflection, and connection at every turn. 👉  Learn more and register today: 🔗   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-If3v-Zu5WoecK2iiGYoWrXhCjeHW0g-fLfMThP-chKCjmA/viewform

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 inconsistent day to day ✏️ Sentences are short, repetitive, or missing key details ✏️ They can explain ideas verbally, but writing doesn’t match ✏️ Hand hurts quickly or grip looks tight/awkward ✏️ Poor spacing, capitalization, punctuation, or organization ✏️ Trouble copying from a board or book ✏️ Writing causes emotional shutdowns or meltdowns The biggest clue? Writing drains your child’s energy  in a way that doesn’t match their effort. At My Learning Farm , we treat writing as a skill that can be taught with the right structure, tools, and support. We don’t shame kids for what’s hard—we teach them how  to do it, step by step. If your child is showing several of these signs, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Learn more about support options here: www.mylearningfarm.com Trusted sources:   Understood.org , International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

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 future.It does not determine their intelligence.It does not mean they can’t learn math. It simply means they need a different approach—one that is patient, structured, supportive, and built around the way their brain processes numbers. With the right support, children with dyscalculia can: learn math skills in a way that finally makes sense build confidence and reduce anxiety strengthen number sense and problem-solving stop feeling ashamed or “behind” trust themselves again At My Learning Farm , hope is built step-by-step through: 🌿 individualized explicit instruction 🌿 hands-on scaffolded learning 🌿 clear strategies and repetition that works 🌿 a supportive environment that protects confidence 🌿 deep care for the whole child Math doesn’t have to be a place of fear. It can become a place of growth.A place where your child feels capable.A place where they learn, “I can do hard things.” Your child is more than math.And with the right guidance, their story can change. 🌾 Where Learning Grows — My Learning Farm 🔗 https://www.mylearningfarm.com

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.

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 Homeschool Consultations at My Learning Farm —to give families a clear, supportive starting point. At My Learning Farm we support students and families as they explore and embark on homeschool journeys. 🌻 A Gentle Place to Begin At My Learning Farm, we believe learning should feel intentional, supportive, and aligned with your child —especially for learners who may need a different approach. A homeschool consultation is not about pressure or pushing you into a decision.It ’s about helping you feel informed, confident, and supported as you explore what’s possible for your family. 🌿 What We Talk About Together During your consultation, we’ll sit down (parent-to-parent 💛) and walk through what homeschooling could look like for your unique child. We may explore: ✨ Your child’s learning profile, strengths, and areas of need ✨ Whether homeschooling is a good fit (even short-term!) ✨ The difference between public school, charter homeschool, and private options ✨ How to choose the right curriculum (and avoid overwhelm) ✨ Daily and weekly schedules that actually work for real families ✨ Social opportunities, enrichment, and community connections ✨ Support for learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, or math struggles No two conversations are the same—because no two children are the same. 🌾 You’ll Leave with a Plan After our time together, you’ll receive a personalized, detailed report designed just for your family. This often includes: 🌿 Grade-level expectations in reading, writing, spelling, and math 🌿 Recommended curricula and resources (with direct links) 🌿 Charter homeschool options and how funding works 🌿 Local enrichment and learning center ideas 🌿 Tips for creating structure at home in a calm, manageable way 🌿 Guidance rooted in evidence-based approaches like structured literacy and multisensory math My goal is simple:➡️ You walk away knowing your next steps 🐐 You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone Many of the families I meet are doing this for the very first time. They’re thoughtful, caring parents who know their child needs something different… but aren’t sure how to build it. I see you. And I’ve been there. 💛 Homeschooling doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.It can be: 🌱 A temporary support 🌱 A reset 🌱 A long-term path 🌱 Or simply one option you thoughtfully explore Whatever you decide, you deserve guidance along the way. 🌻 Start Here If homeschooling has been on your heart—even just a little—this is your invitation to take the first step. A conversation can bring clarity, direction, and peace of mind. 👉 Learn more or schedule your homeschool consultation: https://www.mylearningfarm.com/services-1 🌿 Where Learning Grows… and Families Feel Supported At My Learning Farm, we’re here to walk alongside you—every step of the way. You don’t have to have it all figured out.You just have to start. 💛

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 themselves. 🌿 A Different Kind of Learning Environment At My Learning Farm, we blend evidence-based academic support with hands-on, meaningful experiences in a calm, encouraging farm setting. This isn’t just about academics—it’s about the whole child. Whether your child is thriving and ready for enrichment, or struggling and needing extra support, every learner is: ✨ Seen ✨ Supported ✨ Celebrated We meet children exactly where they are and help them grow from there—academically, emotionally, and confidently. 🌾 Supporting Learners Who Learn Differently Many of the students who come to the farm are bright, capable children who simply learn in ways that traditional settings don’t always support. That’s where we come in. Through structured, multisensory, and individualized instruction, we help students build strong foundations in reading, writing, spelling, and math—while also rebuilding confidence and a love for learning. Because when a child starts to feel successful… everything changes. 💛 🌿 Our Services We offer a range of supportive, thoughtfully designed services for families: • 1:1 Academic Support (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Math) • My Learning Farm READS! 📚 (where Ms. Sara does the reading—no pressure, just connection and growth) • Farm Classes 🐐🌱 (hands-on, nature-based learning experiences) • Homeschool Consultations (guidance, planning, and support for your unique journey) • Special Education Advocacy (help navigating IEPs, evaluations, and school support) • Academic Assessments (to better understand your child’s strengths and needs) 👉 Learn more about services: https://www.mylearningfarm.com/services 🌻 Come Experience the Farm One of the best ways to understand My Learning Farm is to experience it. 🌾 Open Farm Day is a special opportunity for families to:• Meet the animals 🐐 • Explore our learning spaces • Connect with Ms. Sara • Get a feel for what makes this place so unique 📅 August 21 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 👉 RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2tKmwGYZIbPiILI_3DRPw2vS5m3zJ-wQihAeERdfzUtiARQ/viewform 💛 You Are Welcome Here Whether you are just beginning your journey, feeling unsure about next steps, or looking for the right kind of support for your child… You are not alone. And you are always welcome here. 🌿 👉 Explore more: www.mylearningfarm.com

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.Some grow in small steps.Some need more repetition, more visuals, more practice, and more time. And none of that means they won’t succeed. Comparison can steal joy and confidence from both the parent and the child. It can make your child feel like they’re “not enough,” when what they really need is support that matches the way their brain learns. At My Learning Farm , we celebrate progress that is individualized and real . We don’t measure growth by someone else’s pace. We measure it by your child’s starting point. Progress might look like: remembering math facts with less stress understanding place value for the first time solving a word problem without shutting down learning to check work calmly saying, “I think I can do this.” Those wins matter. Those wins are huge. Because progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet… but life-changing. Your child’s journey is valid. Their growth is meaningful. And their future is not limited by how fast they learn. 🌾 Where Learning Grows — My Learning Farm 🔗 https://www.mylearningfarm.com

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 can write neatly, but their writing is short, disorganized, or exhausting. Here’s what I want you to know: 💛  Dysgraphia is not laziness. 💛  It is not a lack of intelligence. 💛  It is not a motivation problem. Writing requires many brain systems working at once—fine motor skills, memory, language, organization, and attention. When even one part is difficult, writing can feel overwhelming. At My Learning Farm , we support students by building writing skills in a structured, confidence-first way. We focus on making writing feel safe again—so kids can learn without fear of “getting it wrong.” If you’re wondering whether your child may have dysgraphia, I’d love to help you take the next step. You can learn more about academic support and assessments here: www.mylearningfarm.com At My Learning Farm, we meet students where they are and build confidence and skills together Trusted sources:  International Dyslexia Association (IDA), Understood.org

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 organizers and checklists We don’t throw kids into “write a paragraph” and hope it works. We teach writing like a system—because for many struggling learners, it needs to be explicit. Most importantly, we protect confidence. Because kids learn best when they feel capable. If you want writing support that’s evidence-informed and heart-filled, you can explore options here: www.mylearningfarm.com Building writing skills at My Learning Farm looks like safety, comfort and of course, Stella! Trusted sources:  IDA, Understood.org

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” ✏️ produce writing that doesn’t match their spoken language ✏️ become frustrated or emotional quickly One of the most important things I tell families is this: When writing is difficult neurologically, more pressure doesn’t create progress—it creates burnout. At My Learning Farm , we use structured instruction and supportive strategies that help students write with less stress and more success. Want help figuring out what’s going on? Explore academic support and assessments here: www.mylearningfarm.com Trusted sources:   Understood.org , International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

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 meaningful parts of words , called morphemes. These include: Bases (root words that carry meaning) Prefixes (added to the beginning) Suffixes (added to the end) For example: play → player → replay teach → teacher → teaching When students recognize these patterns, they can read and spell many new words because they understand the structure and meaning behind them . At My Learning Farm, we incorporate Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) and morphology-based learning to help students explore language like investigators. 🌻 What Is Etymology? Etymology is the study of where words come from and how they evolved over time . English draws from many languages including Latin, Greek, Old English, and French , which is why spelling sometimes reflects word history and meaning , not just sound. Understanding this history helps students make sense of spelling patterns that might otherwise seem confusing. Student-lead morphology, etymology spelling lesson at My Learning Farm 🐓 Investigating Words: The Example of Circle In the lesson pictured above, students explore the word circle through both morphology and etymology. The word comes from the Latin circulus , meaning ring . Over time it moved through languages: Latin → circulus Old French → circul English → circle Students then connect this base to related words: circle circular circumference For example, circumference can be broken into: circum = around ference = distance or carrying So the word literally means the distance around a circle . 🌾 Understanding the /er/ Sound English can spell the /er/ sound several ways: er (most common) – player, teacher or – corn ir – circle ur – turn ear – heard our – (least common) journey Instead of memorizing each spelling separately, students learn to think about word structure and meaning . For example, the suffix -er often means “one who.” play → player teach → teacher farm → farmer Once students recognize this pattern, spelling becomes much more logical. 🌻 Language Investigation at My Learning Farm At My Learning Farm, students explore language through: Morphology (how words are built) Etymology (where words come from) Word families and vocabulary connections Structured Word Inquiry investigations Rather than memorizing disconnected spelling lists, students learn to understand language . And when students understand words, reading becomes easier, spelling becomes clearer, and comprehension grows naturally. 🌻 Because at My Learning Farm , words are not just something to memorize — they are something to explore . If your child struggles with spelling, please reach out to My Learning Farm www.mylearningfarm.com

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 confuse young readers if they have not built strong vocabulary knowledge. Let’s return to our example word: bank . The word bank can mean several different things: • a place where money is kept• the edge of a river or lake• to rely on something (“You can bank on it.”)• a turning motion, like an airplane banking The meaning becomes clear when we look at the sentence. For example: We walked along the river bank. She deposited her paycheck at the bank. Same word.Different meaning. Strong readers use context clues and vocabulary knowledge to determine which meaning fits. Syntax: How Words Work Together in Sentences Syntax refers to how words are arranged in sentences . Word order helps readers understand meaning. Consider these two sentences: The children played near the river bank. The bank approved the loan. Even though the same word appears, the sentence structure tells the reader which meaning makes sense. Understanding syntax helps students: • read more fluently • understand complex sentences • write more clearly Building Comprehension Through Language When children develop strong skills in: • sound awareness • spelling patterns • vocabulary • sentence structure reading becomes more than just sounding out words. Students begin to understand what they read . At My Learning Farm , we support these skills through reading, writing, and conversation so students can connect words to real meaning. In our final post, we’ll explore the last part of the POSSUM framework: Morphology , and how understanding word parts expands vocabulary and reading confidence. At My Learning Farm we build reading skills using morphology, syntax and semantics to make learning meaningful. Please reach out to www.mylearningfarm.com to support your child's reading development.