Tutoring Services for Grades 1-12

• Orton-Gillingham for Grade School
• Writing fundamentals
• English Language
• Homework support
• Handwriting Without Tears ®
• SSAT/SAT/ACT or other test preparation

Please review our Tutoring Policies.

Find out about our rates.

 Orton-Gillingham for Grade School

Orton-Gillingham is effective for students with dyslexia. If you are not sure if your child has dyslexia, we recommend that you first visit a child psychologist who specializes in educational testing for a diagnosis. If this is not possible, Ladder Learning Services can perform a series of informal assessments to determine if Orton-Gillingham instruction is appropriate for your child. Children in grades 1-12 are instructed using a variety of methods based on those developed by Samuel T. Orton and Anna Gillingham, other practitioners of Orton-Gillingham, and our own experiences working with children with various reading and attention difficulties. more

 Writing Fundamentals

Writing on paper and word-processing are vital skills for students to master. We will assess the student’s goals and knowledge of English spelling, grammar, and writing mechanics. Learning to write effectively will help students organize their thoughts more clearly, communicate their ideas better, and help them be successful in the future. We will create individualized lesson plans based on the particular needs and goals of each student.

Lessons may include the following:

• Learning specific grammar rules and reinforcing them with worksheets and/or games
• Learning English spelling rules (based on Orton-Gillingham method) and reinforcing with multisensory practice
• Exploring different reasons why people write and what forms writing takes
• Revising and editing writing from a class
• Learning different creative writing forms such as Haiku, comic book, or short story
• Learning how to write a persuasive or informational essay
• Learning how to use assistive technology to write with greater fluency

 English Language for Grade School

Learning to communicate in English is an increasingly important skill in our interconnected world. Practicing with a private tutor who knows how to teach the fundamentals of the language, including pronunciation (with American Accent), grammar, and spelling, is the most effective use of your money. We will assess the student’s knowledge of English spelling, grammar, and the phonetic structure of the language, and create a customized lesson plan.

Lessons may include the following:

• Multisensory phonics practice and American accent using Orton-Gillingham
• Learning specific grammar rules and reinforcing them with worksheets and/or games   
• Learning English spelling rules (based on Orton-Gillingham method) and reinforcing with multisensory practice
• Conversation practice

 Homework Support

Completing homework in a timely matter and understanding the concepts presented is essential for every student. We understand that it can be very difficult and time-consuming for the student with learning and attention problems, and hiring a tutor can help the student gain confidence and feel supported. Tutoring can be a great time to re-teach a student who is not picking up everything they need to know during the school day. We will assess each student individually and determine their particular homework needs and goals.

 Handwriting Without Tears ®

The Handwriting Without Tears ® program was developed by an Occupational Therapist to help children who were having a difficult time learning print and cursive. We have used this program with many different students and find it highly effective at correcting messy handwriting, reversals, paper placement trouble, and handwriting fatigue. Students with dysgraphia and dyslexia especially benefit from this program, and it keeps even young children engaged and interested with fun, multisensory lessons. For more information, go to www.hwtears.com .

Having clear, readable handwriting is essential for students, even in our increasingly digitized world. The SAT and other tests require a hand-written essay, many forms require neat print, and, most importantly, good handwriting has been shown to help students organize their thoughts.

Please note that the HWT program requires an additional materials fee, depending on the level of the student. This includes a consumable workbook for the student to keep.

 Preparing for the SSAT, SAT, ACT, and other tests of verbal and writing ability

We can help students get a great score on the verbal and/or writing sections of the SSAT, SAT, ACT, or similar test using Orton-Gillingham techniques, including learning morphemes. This will greatly improve spelling, increase vocabulary knowledge, and improve confidence without tedious vocabulary memorization. For tests which include an essay section, we can help the student plan and organize topics and examples. We can also help students learn test-taking techniques particular to the test they are taking so they will know what to expect on testing day.