Our method makes all the difference
We believe in a fun, hands-on approach to learning that benefits the WHOLE child.
Math
Do you remember stressing over those 100-question, timed math tests? Oof. So do we.
We believe math instruction should center on a deep understanding of number relationships. With a focus on depth, not speed.
That means practicing problems over and over (AKA “drill and kill”) is not our style.
We teach our students the tips, tricks, and tools they need to master skills and conquer challenges. They learn how to appreciate the challenge of working hard through real-world math problems. Because the goal is for math to be useful in the real world, right?
We teach our students how to persevere and thrive when those challenges feel difficult at first. Because we believe they can do it. And soon, they’ll believe it too!
Our lessons infuse a mix of inquiry-based practices, including number talks, math games, real-world problems and project-based learning. What does all of that mean? It means we make it FUN!
There are lots of amazing, FREE resources online. Here are some at the top of our list:
Everyone has a favorite mathematician, right?
Here are ours:
Reading
When it comes to reading, it’s not enough for kids to do it, we want them to LOVE it.
We wholeheartedly believe reading should be presented as the GIFT it truly is. It should never be a chore. Or worse. A consequence.
With the proper instruction, based on science, we believe all children will develop a lifelong love of reading. That, in essence, is our ultimate goal.
We use evidence-based reading practices to instruct in all 5 areas of reading, as defined by the National Reading Panel:
Phonemic awareness
Phonics
Vocabulary
Fluency
Reading comprehension
We use a variety of resources to best meet your child’s individual needs and personalize learning.
UFLI Curriculum
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
Teacher-created resources
These are some of the great minds we follow.
Dr. Holly Lane and the UFLI Literacy Team
Writing
We get it. Not everyone loves writing. But whether we’re making a grocery list, sending a quick text, posting on Facebook, or leaving a note for the babysitter, we sure do a lot of it.
Good communication is essential in life, and we want our students to excel at it. These are real-life skills that will carry them through school and into adulthood with real-life benefits.
Our lessons start with the very basics at the sentence level. Once students master the craft of creating sentences, they can easily and confidently build paragraphs, essays and ultimately multi-paragraph pieces in varying forms.
Resources we admire:
The Writing Revolution book based on The Hochman Method
Growth-Mindset, Metacognition and More
Mistakes are a power teacher, aren’t they? At Rachel Lewis Tutoring, we encourage our students to use mistakes as learning opportunities.
Our brain is like a muscle. We can strengthen it each time we overcome challenges, just like we can strengthen our biceps each time we do pushups.
Having a growth mindset helps us face challenges confidently, persist in the midst of setbacks, learn from criticism, celebrate the successes of others, and believe in ourselves.
These habits of mind transcend across all subjects and areas of our lives.
If having a growth mindset or using metacognition to understand how we learn is new to you, check out some of our favorite resources:
Growth vs. Fixed Mindset (Research by Carol Dweck)
Habits of Learning (Habits of Happy Kids)
Metacognition and Executive Functioning Lessons: https://childmind.org/article/how-metacognition-can-help-kids/
Trauma-Informed Instructional Approaches