Academic Subjects

Engaged Minds offers one-on-one tutoring sessions in the subject areas described below for students aged preschool through high school.

Executive Functioning Via Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning provides students with the opportunity to develop their executive function skills while exploring their interests through researching and exploring topics of their choice. The research process includes learning from books, videos, web articles, and knowledgeable adults. Students hone their note taking skills, informational text writing abilities, and let their artistic flair shine as they find creative ways to share what they have learned with families and friends. This process involves lots of planning, organizing, and time management. Project Based Learning sharpens critical thinking, fine motor, and oral presentation skills as students create work that is engaging and rich in content. See our page on Why Project Based Learning to learn more.

Phonics

Many children need explicit and systematic phonics instruction, beyond what they may receive in school, in order to learn to read. The Engaged Minds Phonics approach is multi-sensory, helping students learn through sight, sound, and touch. Students are taught skills sequentially so that skill gaps are addressed early and practiced until mastery is obtained. See the Why Phonics page to learn more about the benefits of teaching reading through phonics and our Dyslexia Support page to read more about how phonics supports dyslexic learners.

Reading Comprehension

As a complement to phonics work, many students benefit from reading comprehension practice. This includes retelling the plot of stories, communicating thoughts and opinions about the text, and making inferences. We support reading comprehension work through high interest book clubs and reading current non-fiction articles together.

Mathematics

In order for students to have long-term success in math, it’s important to have a strong conceptual framework and solid number sense. The math education that we provide features the use of hands-on manipulatives to develop an understanding of how concepts work, as well as an emphasis on showing work and explaining thinking. Once those skills are in place, students move from the concrete toward the abstract, and learn the most efficient methods for solving problems. Practice with work habits, such as checking answers for accuracy, is an important part of our sessions.

Writing

Kids certainly have opinions! However, putting ideas down on paper in a cohesive manner can be a challenge. Our writing work is process oriented and involves spending time gathering and recording ideas, using graphic organizers to plan, drafting using craft strategies to make the writing come alive, and finally editing for correct writing conventions. Supporting students in each step of this process makes it manageable and engaging.

Handwriting

Our approach to teaching handwriting is multi-sensory. Students learn correct letter formation by tracing letters with their finger on mesh fabric, then move to tracing letters using a whiteboard marker on plastic sheets, then finally to writing letters on paper. As they write, students say aloud the way each letter is formed, telling their hand what to do. In this manner, kids are touching, hearing, and seeing what they write. 

We start our work large and gradually move to smaller lines, as more pencil control is developed. Letters are taught in a logical order, grouping similar letter formations together. 

Lots of fun tracing mazes and pictures are also included, as well as exercises to increase hand strength and dexterity. Attention is given to correct sitting posture and grip.

We offer instruction both in manuscript and cursive writing. During tutoring sessions, Engaged Minds uses materials from Handwriting Without Tears®, an engaging and developmentally sequenced method for teaching handwriting instruction, in addition to materials designed in-house.

Spelling

Spelling is approached in a multi-sensory way. Words are categorized into those that can be spelled using a phonic rule and “red words” that don’t follow a phonics pattern and must be memorized. Students practice a short list of “red words” while increasing their phonics skills to maximize the benefit of practice. 

Red words are practiced using a combination of sight, verbal interaction, and tactile sensation as students trace words on textured surfaces while repeating the correct spelling. The use of multiple sensory modalities improves memory. 

Words that can be “sounded out” are taught phonetically, as students isolate individual sounds in each word and correctly apply spelling rules. 

Phonemic awareness is also emphasized, which is the ability for students to manipulate words on the auditory level, which is the foundation of strong literacy skills.

Spanish

Like our English curriculum, our Spanish curriculum operates on the principles of the science of reading, making the invisible rules of language visible for learners. Spanish is a highly phonetic and rule based language, lending itself particularly well to this approach. Our Spanish tutoring sessions involve direct teaching and practice of Spanish language rules and concepts, vocabulary development, conversational fluency, and cultural studies. With this well rounded approach, students are able to succeed in Spanish in an academic context, as well as a social environment, while also deepening their understanding of global citizenship.

Enrichment

Tutoring is not just for students who need support meeting grade level benchmarks; it can provide enrichment for students who are performing above grade level as well. We provide enrichment opportunities for students in reading, writing, math, and project work (inquiry based science and social studies explorations based on student interests). 

Contact us to learn more and to formulate a plan that meets your child’s needs.

Kindergarten Readiness

Most schools ask children to begin reading during the first nine weeks of kindergarten. Children are typically expected to enter kindergarten knowing most letter names and to quickly learn letter sounds. They are asked to write their name and the letters of the alphabet. Kindergarteners are asked to cut, glue, trace, and draw, requiring not only literacy knowledge, but also fine motor skills. 

In preparation for kindergarten, instruction on pencil grip, letter formation, letter name recognition, rhyme generation, and fine motor art skills may be helpful. This is particularly true if there is a family history of learning differences/disabilities, where early intervention is especially important. In these sessions, we start from the beginning, building good habits and strong skills that will pave the way for a future of academic success.