Progress in Every Step: Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Growth

Dear iReading Tutor Families,

We continue to share resources and information with you about the best ways to support your child’s reading development. Learning to read is a complex process, and in previous newsletters we’ve explored topics such as Exceptional Student Education (ESE), the IEP process, important terminology, and helpful strategies for organizing the materials that come home with your child.

We know the winter months can feel especially challenging. For families whose children receive or need additional support, this time of year can feel even heavier. You show up every day—attending tutoring sessions, advocating for your child, and believing in their potential even when progress feels slow. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

As we move into 2026, we want to continue being a trusted source of help, encouragement, and guidance. We understand that growth happens in small steps. Every lesson, every session, every word read, every word spel

led, and every game played builds upon the last. These moments add up to create stronger readers and writers.

Progress isn’t always linear. Some days it feels like one step forward and two steps back. But through it all, you continue moving forward and supporting your child to be their very best. This consistent support—paired with the structured literacy instruction your child receives through iReady tutoring—makes a powerful difference.

Our tutors continuously assess, review, and monitor your child’s progress. Lessons are thoughtfully adjusted to meet individual needs, ensuring that instruction is targeted and effective. We believe in progress over perfection, and every small gain matters.

Keep reading to learn more about the impactful work happening during iReading tutoring sessions. It is truly amazing what a 45-minute Orton-Gillingham lesson, two to three times a week, can do to strengthen your reader’s confidence and skills.

Path to Remediation with an iReading Tutor

iReading Tutor is the top-rated online reading and dyslexia tutor. We can provide online reading intervention from anywhere.

Remember: The path of remediation is not the same for each child. Each student is unique and a solid approach to instruction is tailored to your child’s needs. Our iReading Tutors will provide your child with the help and support they need.

Information and tools designed to help parents learn about dyslexia, effective instruction, and ways to support learning at home.

Recommended Reading:

Sample Template of a Lesson (below)

Take a minute to review a sample template of a lesson plan. Then see below to watch some videos!

What Does an Orton Gillingham Lesson Look Like?

Adapted from Emily Gibbons

Watch and Learn:

Here are a few videos and examples of parts of the multi-sensory Orton Gillingham Lesson that is noted above.

First Video: Sound Cards/3 Part Drill

It is a short routine at the beginning of an Orton-Gillingham lesson.

It strengthens reading and spelling by reviewing sound-symbol connections in three ways.

It typically takes 5–10 minutes and includes:

1️⃣ Visual (See It → Say It)

The teacher shows a sound card.The student says the letter name(s), keyword, and sound.Example: “S, snake, /s/.”

2️⃣ Auditory (Hear It → Write It)

The teacher says a sound.The student writes the letter(s) that spell that sound.

3️⃣ Blending (Put It Together → Read It)

The student reads a short sequence of sounds or syllables and blends them into a word.

Second Video: What says?

During the 'What Says' part of the lesson, the student hears a sound and writes the letter or letters that represent those sounds.

For example, if the tutor says what says /k/?

The student says:

c says /k/, k says /k/, and ck says /k/ while he/she is writing

c, k, ck

iReading Tutors are always collecting data to document progress. Ask your online tutor the following questions to help learn more about your child's progress.

• How do you track my child’s progress over time?

• What specific skills are you assessing? (for example, phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, and fluency)

• How often do you assess my child’s progress?

• How is my child’s progress documented or recorded?

• Can you show me baseline (or beginning) data and recent data so I can see growth?

• How do you determine when my child is ready to move to the next skill?

If you are currently being serviced at iReading Tutor, reach out to your tutor and schedule a time to ask these questions.

If not, we'd love to begin working with you. Call or text us to schedule your first session!

Information for the Families of our

Florida’s Personalized Education Program (PEP) and Unique Abilities Scholarship

Florida Empowerment Scholarships

What Parents Should Know

Applications for PEP and Unique Abilities Scholarships for the 2026–27 school year open on February 1, 2026 through Step Up For Students.

What’s the Difference?

PEP Scholarship: For students not enrolled in public school (including homeschool families). No specific disability is required, and funds can be used for tutoring services.

Unique Abilities Scholarship: For students with a diagnosed disability that impacts learning.

Note: Families on PEP who may have a child with an undiagnosed disability, could qualify for additional funding through FES- UA. Parents can pursue a free school psycho- educational evaluation testing. Based on their testing, and other factors a team of educators and professionals would determine if your child meets the elgibility criteria for an IEP. This process is free through the public school CHILD FIND system, even if they are homeschooling with or without PEP designation. It's federal students with disabilities law.

The application season for these Scholarships will be open this SUNDAY, February 1! This is for renewal and new students. Mark your calendar. Set your alarm!

Need Help or Guidance?

Reach out to us at iReading Tutor, your Online Dyslexia Specialist

This month we are highlighting two of our many services.

iReady Tutor Advocacy Services

iReading Tutor offers advocacy and IEP assistance services, including preparation support and attendance at meetings, to ensure your child receives the services he/she need.

We are also ready to answer any questions that you may have regarding scholarships and can provide you and your family with scholarship preparation.

Let us help you feel confident and informed every step of the way.

Contact us today!

iReading Tutor Family Empowerment Scholarship

Unique Abilities Homeschooling Evaluation

$75 fee includes:

• A Zoom meeting to review your child’s current curriculum and academic progress

• Analysis of progress with instructional feedback and recommendations

• Completion and signing of required documentation verifying that your child is making progress commensurate with their abilities

• Meets compliance requirements for the local public school system’s homeschooling office

• An overview of your child’s progress based on portfolio review and a discussion with the parent, fulfilling the annual submission requirement

Please note: This process is different from the requirements for PEP students, who must complete normed diagnostic testing.

The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school.

The application window for the 2025-2026 school year will open on April 1, 2026 at 8 am CST and close on April 30, 2026 at 5pm CST.

The funds for this grant can be used for our online tutoring services here at iReading Tutoring.

. Parents/guardians of eligible students can use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services.

The iReading Tutor Newsletter arrives in your inbox every other Tuesday morning.

Did you miss a previous edition?

We’ve got you covered!

Understanding Dyslexia and Structured Literacy (Nov ‘25)

Developmental Language Disorder (Dec ‘25)

What do I do if my child is struggling? ESE Overview and Dysgraphia (Jan ‘26)

Understanding The IEP Process: A Parent’s Guide (Jan ‘26)

At iReading Tutor, we believe that knowledge is power. We hope this week’s newsletter has given you helpful information and confidence as you support your child’s success.

As always, please feel free to reach out or text us with any questions. We’re here to support you and help your child grow with confidence.

Sincerely,

All of Us at iReading Tutor