What times of day are you available?
What times of day are you available?
Because I need to be available to my own children after school hours, my tutoring availability is weekdays, from 9AM to 4PM. For public school students, some teachers may allow you to arrange for your child to call in with me during school hours. My hours are better suited to the homeschooling population.
What happens if a student fails any part of the Barton Screener?
What happens if a student fails any part of the Barton Screener?
If a student does not pass Part A or B but DOES pass Part C, we can still proceed with the Barton Reading & Spelling System. We will dedicate part of each lesson to teach the missing skills revealed by the student screening.
If a student does not pass Part A or B but DOES pass Part C, we can still proceed with the Barton Reading & Spelling System. We will dedicate part of each lesson to teach the missing skills revealed by the student screening.
If a student does not pass Part C, then he or she is not yet ready for the Barton Reading & Spelling System, nor is the student ready for any Orton-Gillingham-based program. Not to worry! We will implement a program called Foundations in Sounds which will provide the necessary intervention. Upon completion of Foundations in Sounds, we will re-administer the student screening.
If a student does not pass Part C, then he or she is not yet ready for the Barton Reading & Spelling System, nor is the student ready for any Orton-Gillingham-based program. Not to worry! We will implement a program called Foundations in Sounds which will provide the necessary intervention. Upon completion of Foundations in Sounds, we will re-administer the student screening.
What is the time requirement to participate in the program?
What is the time requirement to participate in the program?
A minimum of two sessions per week is required. Each session is 50 - 55 minutes long. More sessions per week will result in faster progress.
A minimum of two sessions per week is required. Each session is 50 - 55 minutes long. More sessions per week will result in faster progress.
What is the expectation for tutoring over the summer months?
What is the expectation for tutoring over the summer months?
The summer is a great opportunity for students to advance more quickly through the Barton program. Some students even double the amount of sessions they take per week, as their schedule allows. While Jennifer is available during the academic year only, our summer tutor, Bonnie Moreland, owner and tutor at Growing Confidence - Dyslexia Tutoring, will give priority to all students at The Literacy Compass. She is also highly qualified, experienced, and certified in The Barton Reading and Spelling program at the advanced level.
Will the student be taught in small groups?
Will the student be taught in small groups?
No, all students receive one on one instruction.
No, all students receive one on one instruction.
Does a student have to start at level 1?
Does a student have to start at level 1?
Most students need to start at Level 1 – no matter how old they are.That’s because research proves that a lack of phonemic awareness is what is preventing them from being able to read unknown words by sounding them out – and to spell by sounding out. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate each sound in a word – in your head, without letters. This skill does not come naturally to people with dyslexia and reflects and issue with auditory processing.
Most students need to start at Level 1 – no matter how old they are.That’s because research proves that a lack of phonemic awareness is what is preventing them from being able to read unknown words by sounding them out – and to spell by sounding out. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate each sound in a word – in your head, without letters. This skill does not come naturally to people with dyslexia and reflects and issue with auditory processing.
How long does it take to complete all ten levels?
How long does it take to complete all ten levels?
If a student has moderate dyslexia, and is tutored twice a week in a one-on-one setting for an hour each time, it will take from 2 to 3 years to complete the entire Barton System. So in just 2 to 3 years, you can take a struggling student to the mid-ninth-grade level in reading, spelling, and basic writing.
If a student has moderate dyslexia, and is tutored twice a week in a one-on-one setting for an hour each time, it will take from 2 to 3 years to complete the entire Barton System. So in just 2 to 3 years, you can take a struggling student to the mid-ninth-grade level in reading, spelling, and basic writing.
Students with mild dyslexia may complete the system a bit faster, while students with more severe dyslexia may need 4 to 5 years.
Students with mild dyslexia may complete the system a bit faster, while students with more severe dyslexia may need 4 to 5 years.
What can I do to support my child's tutoring at home?
What can I do to support my child's tutoring at home?
It is wonderful if you have time and wish to help your child at home! I can help provide games and activities that you can do together at home to build on the concepts we are working on in our lessons. It is also great if you can read to your child daily. Susan Barton strongly encourages all students to wait to read uncontrolled texts until they have completed level 4 of the Barton Reading & Spelling System, but I can provide you with controlled texts if your child wishes to spend more time reading independently.
It is wonderful if you have time and wish to help your child at home! I can help provide games and activities that you can do together at home to build on the concepts we are working on in our lessons. It is also great if you can read to your child daily. Susan Barton strongly encourages all students to wait to read uncontrolled texts until they have completed level 4 of the Barton Reading & Spelling System, but I can provide you with controlled texts if your child wishes to spend more time reading independently.
Does my child need a formal diagnosis?
Does my child need a formal diagnosis?
No, but you should suspect dyslexia.
No, but you should suspect dyslexia.
My student is not a native English speaker. Can she go through the Barton System?
My student is not a native English speaker. Can she go through the Barton System?
Yes, as long as the student can speak and comprehend spoken English at the second-grade level or higher.
Yes, as long as the student can speak and comprehend spoken English at the second-grade level or higher.
Are the levels grade-based?
Are the levels grade-based?
No, the levels reflect the order in which the material must be learned.
No, the levels reflect the order in which the material must be learned.
Do you teach grammar within the lessons?
Do you teach grammar within the lessons?
Grammar is integrated throughout the Barton lessons. We teach basic punctuation, capitalization, phrasing (in both reading and writing), antonyms and synonyms, multiple word meanings, homonyms, and vocabulary development. Once the student has a strong foundation in decoding skills, the program teaches base words, prefixes and suffixes. Beyond grammar, we also teach fluency, prosody, and morphology.
Grammar is integrated throughout the Barton lessons. We teach basic punctuation, capitalization, phrasing (in both reading and writing), antonyms and synonyms, multiple word meanings, homonyms, and vocabulary development. Once the student has a strong foundation in decoding skills, the program teaches base words, prefixes and suffixes. Beyond grammar, we also teach fluency, prosody, and morphology.
Can you help with other reading problems, like comprehension?
Can you help with other reading problems, like comprehension?
The Barton Reading & Spelling program is designed to help students who struggle to accurately read and spell. If your child struggles only with comprehension, but is able to easily read and spell, then the Barton program would not be a good fit. However, those students who have not yet learned to read with accuracy and fluency will struggle with reading comprehension. Their comprehension will develop naturally, however, as their reading skills improve. Throughout the program, as the student reads controlled texts, their comprehension will continue to grow as we discuss the reading passages together and analyze the text.
The Barton Reading & Spelling program is designed to help students who struggle to accurately read and spell. If your child struggles only with comprehension, but is able to easily read and spell, then the Barton program would not be a good fit. However, those students who have not yet learned to read with accuracy and fluency will struggle with reading comprehension. Their comprehension will develop naturally, however, as their reading skills improve. Throughout the program, as the student reads controlled texts, their comprehension will continue to grow as we discuss the reading passages together and analyze the text.
How can I contact you?
How can I contact you?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you! You can email me at info@theliteracycompass.com or you can call me at (845) 249-2733.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you! You can email me at info@theliteracycompass.com or you can call me at (845) 249-2733.
* Some answers reprinted with prior written permission from Susan Barton, Founder of Bright Solutions for Dyslexia and developer of the Barton Reading and Spelling System®.