Search this site

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 English words grow by adding prefixes, suffixes, or combining words together . Let’s return one more time to our example word: bank From this base word we can build new words: banking banker banked riverbank For example: bank + er = banker A banker is someone who works at a bank. When students understand how words grow and change, they can unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words more easily. This skill is powerful for building vocabulary and comprehension . Why All Five Systems Matter When students develop skills across all five POSSUM areas, they build strong literacy foundations. They learn to: • hear sounds in words • connect sounds to letters • understand word meanings • recognize sentence structure• analyze word parts This deep word knowledge supports: 🌱 reading accuracy 🌱 spelling 🌱 vocabulary development 🌱 reading comprehension 🌱 confident writing How We Teach This at My Learning Farm At My Learning Farm , reading, spelling, and writing instruction are guided by the Science of Reading and taught using Orton-Gillingham structured literacy methods . Lessons are: • explicit • systematic • supportive • multisensory Students practice skills through reading activities, spelling instruction, and writing exercises so that language knowledge grows naturally over time. Our goal is always the same: 🌻 help children become confident readers 🌻 grow strong writers 🌻 nurture curiosity and a love of learning Because when children understand how words work, reading begins to feel possible—and even joyful.

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 who learn differently. I specialize in supporting students in reading, writing, spelling, and math using evidence-based programs like Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy and Making Math Real . My goal is simple: help each child build skills and confidence in a way that feels positive and empowering. 🌾 How We Support Families: 1:1 Academic Support tailored to your child Specialized instruction for students with dyslexia and other learning differences Homeschool consultations and guidance Special Education (SPED) advocacy and support Academic assessments to better understand your child’s learning profile Hands-on Farm Classes in the Fall & Spring ✨ NEW! My Learning Farm READS! ✨One of the most special offerings at the farm, READS! is designed especially for reluctant or struggling readers . In this small-group class, Ms. Sara does the reading , allowing students to focus on comprehension, vocabulary, and the joy of story—without the pressure. It’s a beautiful bridge that helps children fall back in love with books. 💛📚 ☀️ Come See It for Yourself – Open Farm! We would love to welcome you to the farm! 📅 Friday, August 21 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 🌿 Meet the animals, explore our learning spaces, and connect with Ms. Sara📖 Special READS! sneak peek at 12:00 PM ⚠️ RSVP required – space is limited and will close when full Whether you’re looking for academic support, a more connected homeschool experience, or a place where your child can feel seen and successful—My Learning Farm is here for you. 🌻 Learn more, explore programs, and RSVP here: www.mylearningfarm.com We can’t wait to welcome your family to the farm. 💛🌾

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 . 👉  Register today: 🔗  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-If3v-Zu5WoecK2iiGYoWrXhCjeHW0g-fLfMThP-chKCjmA/viewform 👉  Find out more : https://www.mylearningfarm.com/mylearningfarmreads

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 and make meaningful progress. Our 1:1 individualized summer sessions support students in building skills in: • Reading • Writing • Spelling • Math Instruction is personalized to each learner and uses evidence-based approaches, including Orton-Gillingham structured literacy and hands-on learning strategies that meet students where they are and help them move forward with confidence. Summer is also a wonderful time to close small learning gaps, strengthen foundational skills, and help students feel more prepared and confident heading into the next school year. 🌻 There is currently ONE summer session spot still available. If your child would benefit from supportive, individualized instruction in a peaceful farm setting, I would love to connect with your family. 📚 Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOz0cqlqWZCetk5PjxbGzuixh6iNekL9B568MDIrM8ui-cZQ/viewform 🌱 Learn More About Summer Academic Support: https://www.mylearningfarm.com/summer At My Learning Farm, learning grows best when students feel supported, understood, and encouraged every step of the way. 🌻

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 read and write. P – Phonology O – Orthography S – Semantics S – Syntax M – Morphology Each part plays a role in helping children move from sounding out words to truly understanding language . Let’s explore how these systems work together using a familiar word: bank . Phonology: Hearing the Sounds in Words Phonology refers to the sounds in spoken language . Before a child can read a word on a page, they must first be able to hear and recognize the individual sounds inside that word. Take the word bank . The sounds we hear are: /b/ – /ă/ – /ng/ – /k/ Even though the letters n and k appear together, our ears hear the nasal /ng/ sound before the final /k/ . When children practice phonology, they learn to: • break words into sounds • blend sounds together • identify beginning, middle, and ending sounds • notice rhyming patterns For example, words that rhyme with bank include: tank sank rank thank plank These sound patterns help children build the foundation for reading. Orthography: How Sounds Become Letters Orthography refers to the spelling system of language —how sounds connect to letters on the page. In the word bank , we see the spelling pattern: b + a + nk Students learn that nk is a common spelling pattern in English where the nasal /ng/ sound is followed by k . Many words share this pattern: bank tank sank think trunk When students understand spelling patterns, reading and spelling begin to support each other. How This Shows Up at My Learning Farm At My Learning Farm , students learn these skills through Orton-Gillingham structured literacy instruction , an evidence-based approach aligned with the Science of Reading. During reading and spelling lessons, students practice: 🌻 hearing sounds 🌻 mapping sounds to letters 🌻 recognizing spelling patterns 🌻 building words step by step These foundational skills help students become accurate and confident readers . In our next post, we’ll explore how understanding word meaning and sentence structure strengthens reading comprehension.

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.mylearningfarm.com/math

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” 🌱 celebrating effort and growth 🌱 helping students feel proud again When a student believes they can write, everything changes: ✔️ they take risks ✔️ they write more ✔️ they improve faster ✔️ they stop avoiding If writing has become a confidence battle in your home, you are not alone—and your child is not broken. They simply need a different approach. You can learn more about writing support at My Learning Farm  here: www.mylearningfarm.com Trusted sources:  Child Mind Institute, Understood.org

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 typing…all at once. At My Learning Farm, we bridge that gap by using: ✔️ verbal rehearsal ✔️ sentence frames ✔️ guided writing ✔️ dictation + structured transfer to paper ✔️ graphic organizers Your child’s ideas matter. And with the right support, they can learn to express them confidently in writing. Learn more about writing support here: www.mylearningfarm.com Trusted sources:   Understood.org , IDA

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. 🌱 Pete Bowers & Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) Researcher Pete Bowers , founder of Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) , teaches that English spelling is organized around meaning , not just sound. Instead of memorizing lists, students investigate: What does this word mean? How is it built? Where does it come from? English isn’t random. It’s logical — when you know what to look for. 🌻 The Five Language Lenses We Use at My Learning Farm At My Learning Farm, we teach students to examine words through five powerful lenses: 1️⃣ Morphology How meaningful parts (bases, prefixes, suffixes) build words. 2️⃣ Semantics What words mean — and how meaning shifts. 3️⃣ Orthography Why words are spelled the way they are. 4️⃣ Etymology Where words come from (Anglo-Saxon, Latin, Greek, French). 5️⃣ Phonology How sounds connect to letters. Sound matters — but meaning matters just as much. 🌾 Why This Changes Everything When students rely only on sounding out words, they often struggle and guess. When they understand morphology: Spelling makes sense Vocabulary grows faster Reading comprehension deepens Confidence increases This approach is especially powerful for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences because it gives structure and logic to English. 🌻 How We Use It on the Farm At My Learning Farm, morphology and SWI are woven into: 1:1 reading and spelling instruction Vocabulary and comprehension work Word investigation and word mapping Students begin to say: 💛 “That word is related to…”💛 “Now I get why it’s spelled that way!” And that’s when learning truly grows. English is not broken.It ’s beautifully structured. We just have to teach it that way. 🌻

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 aloud , and students get to fully participate without decoding pressure. Structured read-alouds help children grow their comprehension skills by practicing: ✨ predicting ✨ inferring ✨ visualizing ✨ discussing characters and themes ✨ making connections And because we take time to talk about what we’re reading, students build confidence in sharing ideas, thinking deeply, and engaging with books in a meaningful way. In READS!, we don’t just listen—we create . Each class includes a deep dive into: 📚 rich vocabulary & morphology ✍️ written expression and response activities 🎨 crafts, projects, and hands-on fun 🌿 a warm community where reading feels good Class Details 📍 My Learning Farm Penryn Greenhouse 👧👦 Grades 2–6 🕙 Tuesdays | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM 📅 Fall (Sept-Nov) and Spring (Jan-April) 12 sessions 👫 Limited to only 12 students Spots are limited so every child feels known, supported, and included. 👉 Find out more + register today: 🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-If3v-Zu5WoecK2iiGYoWrXhCjeHW0g-fLfMThP-chKCjmA/viewform Student enjoy the greenhouse reading in a relaxed, fun atmosphere on the farm!

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 his brother Finn so she could write her very first paragraph about something she truly loves. The pride on her face. The care in her words. Writing became real because it mattered to her. It looks like invitations to birthday parties tucked into backpacks with shy smiles.“Ms. Sara, will you come?” It looks like families sending soccer schedules because a student wants me to see the goal they’ve been practicing for weeks. It looks like students bursting through the door holding their BEST writing — papers they revised, worked through, struggled with — now something they are proud to share. Bringing their award-winning writing It looks like quiet smiles when a math test comes back with 100% after weeks of practice and persistence. It looks like ukulele songs played carefully, fingers still learning, eyes watching to see if I noticed — and of course I did. Singing and playing the ukulele These moments may seem small, but they are not small at all. They are trust. They are confidence. They are students saying, this is me. At My Learning Farm, learning grows alongside identity. Students are not asked to leave their passions, personalities, or stories at the door — those things are welcomed, honored, and woven into the work. Loving Stella Because when students feel safe enough to be known, they take risks. They try. They persist. They shine. Getting to learn about their hobbies, their talents, their interests, and their joys is one of the greatest privileges of this work. Showing me the creations they've made and marketed Every invitation.Every proud paper. Every math milestone. Every pet introduction. Every song played. These are reminders that growth is not just academic — it is deeply human. And I am endlessly grateful that students trust me with these glimpses into their world. 💛

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 tender work. It is honest work. I see the fear. The exhaustion. The advocacy. The late nights researching. The quiet wondering if they are doing enough. I know that space — because I have lived it. Years ago, I sat where so many parents now sit with me. I felt the uncertainty, the loneliness, the deep desire to understand how my own children learned and how to support them in a world that did not always feel built for them. That experience is why My Learning Farm exists. Not to “fix” children — because they are not broken.But to help families understand them.To build skills with intention and evidence-based support.To create a place where learning feels possible again.And where parents feel seen, supported, and capable. Together, we begin to build a new dream. A dream rooted in understanding.In confidence.In honoring how a child learns.In celebrating strengths that may have once been overlooked. And often, that new dream is more beautiful than the first — because it is real. It is intentional. It is built together. If you find yourself here, please know this: You are not behind. You are not failing. You are not alone. There is a path forward. There is support.There is hope. And at My Learning Farm , it would be an honor to walk beside you. 🌻