Reading

Required Summer Reading + Study Skills

Required summer reading (such as books required each summer by Santa Margarita High School) is a challenge for students with processing, attention, or motivation deficits. We work individually or in groups to pace the student through the book/s.

To double the usefulness of the time, the student will practice comprehension methods, study skills, simple ways to memorize data, and make practice quizzes.

On-campus/Online Summer Class Reading

Summer school classes move quickly, and online classes involve a lot of reading without the aid of a live explanation. Your tutor will review/reteach concepts; pace, complete, and submit assignments (such as for the BYU classes); and apply study methods for tests.

Reading Comprehension

Comprehension stems from many factors, especially word recognition, vocabulary, recall, and summarization skills. We use several simple methods to practice these skills. See our Language Arts page for activities that we use that are also available to you.

Vocabulary: games, activites, cartoons, and professionally produced CDs (including an SAT-level Vocabulary Rock CD) will boost a student's word base. A better vocabulary also improves writing.

Recall: comes from deliberate focus (through thought and note-taking), understanding the vocabulary, and processing the information.

Restating/Summarization: If a student can restate—in her own words—a story or essay, she understands it. This takes patient, guided practice.