My Teaching Methods

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Innovative Dyslexia Teaching Approaches

The Barton Method: Why In-Person is Essential

Barton's Multi-Sensory Foundation

The Susan Barton Reading & Spelling System was designed for in-person instruction because:

1. Hands-On Letter Tile Work:

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    Students physically build words with manipulative tiles

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    Moving tiles helps dyslexic brains understand letter order

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    Color-coding is more effective when students can touch the materials

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    Spatial learning requires physical manipulation

2. Immediate Error Correction:

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    Split-second intervention when students make mistakes

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    Physical guidance for correct letter formation

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    Hand-over-hand assistance for motor skill development

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    No delay between error and correction

3. Emotional Support Integration:

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    Reading body language to gauge frustration levels

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    Immediate comfort when students feel overwhelmed

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    Celebrating victories with high-fives and personal connection

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    Building trust through consistent physical presence

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Specific Barton Activities That Require In-Person

Level 1–3 Activities

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    Letter tile manipulation for building CVC words

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    Finger isolation exercises for phoneme awareness

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    Texture tracing for letter formation

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    Sound-symbol matching with physical cards

Advanced Level Activities

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    Syllable sorting with hands-on materials

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    Prefix/suffix building with manipulative pieces

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    Complex word construction requiring spatial arrangement

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    Fluency practice with shared book reading

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Behavioral & Emotional Advantages for Struggling Readers

Building Confidence Through Connection

Struggling readers need more than instruction—they need healing:

Immediate Emotional Support

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    Instant recognition of frustration or confusion

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    Physical comfort (appropriate, professional reassurance)

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    Celebrating micro-victories with genuine enthusiasm

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    Reading emotional cues and adjusting pace accordingly

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    Building personal relationship that motivates learning

Overcoming Reading Anxiety

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    Safe space where mistakes are learning opportunities

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    Trusted adult who believes in their potential

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    No technology barriers causing additional stress

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    Consistent, predictable environment

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    Personal attention that can't be distracted or interrupted

Why Online Can't Provide This

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    Screen fatigue adds to existing reading difficulties

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    Technology stress compounds learning anxiety

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    Delayed reactions miss critical emotional moments

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    Easy to disconnect when feeling frustrated

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    Lack of physical presence reduces comfort and security

Practical Learning Benefits for Reading Instruction

Handwriting Integration

Reading and writing develop together:

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    Proper pencil grip requires hands-on guidance

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    Letter formation needs physical demonstration

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    Muscle memory develops through repetitive physical practice

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    Fine motor skills improve with in-person coaching

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    Posture and positioning affect writing success

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Book Handling Skills

Physical literacy skills that can't be taught online:

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    Page turning and book orientation

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    Left-to-right tracking with finger guidance

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    Print concepts (spaces between words, punctuation)

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    Shared reading with adult pointing and support

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    Book care and respect for materials

Phonics Instruction Excellence

Sound-symbol relationships require multiple senses:

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    Mouth position demonstration for correct sounds

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    Breathing techniques for sound production

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    Visual-auditory-kinesthetic integration

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    Immediate pronunciation correction

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    Sound discrimination activities with physical materials

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Academic Progress & Assessment Benefits

Real-Time Assessment

In-person tutoring allows for:

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    Immediate comprehension checking through facial expressions

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    Subtle confusion detection before it becomes frustrating

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    Physical response observation (pointing, hesitation, body language)

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    Split-second instruction adjustment based on student needs

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    Authentic reading behavior without screen distractions

Progress Monitoring

More accurate assessment through:

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    Direct observation of reading strategies

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    Physical skill development tracking

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    Attention span and engagement measurement

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    Confidence building over time

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    Parent communication with immediate examples

Parent Involvement & Education

Learning by Observation

When parents can watch in-person sessions:

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    See exactly how to help at home

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    Learn specific techniques for their child

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    Understand their child's learning style better

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    Ask questions in real-time during instruction

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    Celebrate progress together immediately

Home Support Strategies

Parents learn to:

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    Use the same methods between sessions

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    Recognize signs of frustration or success

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    Provide appropriate support without taking over

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    Continue multisensory approaches at home

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    Build confidence using proven techniques

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Why My 40+ Years of Experience Support In-Person

What I've Learned:

Decades of teaching have shown me that:

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    Struggling readers need a human connection more than anything else

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    Confidence builds through personal relationships and trust

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    Multi-sensory learning requires physical materials and movement

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    Emotional safety is a prerequisite to academic risk-taking

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    Every breakthrough moment happens in a relationship with a caring adult

The Barton Method Success Formula:

Structured Instruction + Multi-Sensory Materials + Caring Relationship = Reading Success

This formula simply cannot be replicated online for elementary students with reading difficulties.

Real-World Success Stories

What I See in In-Person Sessions:

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    Aha moments, when sounds suddenly make sense

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    Physical excitement when students build their first words

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    Confidence blooming through personal encouragement

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    Fear dissolves in a safe, supportive environment

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    Love of learning returns through successful experiences

The Transformation Process:

  • 1 Building trust through consistent presence
  • 2 Reducing anxiety through emotional safety
  • 3 Teaching skills through multisensory instruction
  • 4 Celebrating progress through personal connection
  • 5 Developing independence with ongoing support
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The Bottom Line

For children who struggle with reading, especially those with dyslexia, in-person tutoring using the Barton Method isn't just better - it's essential.

Why the Investment Is Worth It

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    Faster progress through effective instruction

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    Emotional healing alongside academic growth

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    Lifelong love of learning restored

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    Confidence that extends beyond reading

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    Family peace as stress decreases and success increases

Effective Instruction for Every Reader

Every struggling reader deserves the most effective instruction possible. For elementary students with reading difficulties, that means sitting side-by-side with a caring, trained professional who can provide the multisensory, relationship-based instruction that transforms lives.

Ready to give your child the gift of confident reading? Let's discuss how in-person Barton Method tutoring can unlock their potential and restore their love of learning.

Schedule a Tutoring Session
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