DR. PAT MOSSMAN Tutoring INDIVIDUAL INSTRuction Reading Writing Math Language Development Tsawwassen and ladner pat.moss10.com - 236.993.5943 tutormossman@gmail.com Testing in each academic subject is available. Language skills can also be tested. Instruction is systematic and step-by-step according to the child s needs. Strategies are taught to the child to develop attention span, working memory ability and study skills. There is an emphasis on the use of clear articulation and good oral language ability. Parents are welcome to attend lessons and learn the teaching techniques to help their child at home. Lessons can be at the Tsawwassen Library or at your home. Small group lessons can be taught in an appropriate setting. Lesson fees are (1 hour): $40.00 - Tsawwassen. $45.00 - Ladner (includes travel). **Recommended frequency is twice per week. TARGET GROUPS: Kindergarten to Grade 6: reading, writing, spelling, and math. Children with learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism (K to 6). English as a Second Language (children and adults) Preschool children with language delays.
READING The goal is to have your child reading with fluency, good comprehension and enjoyment. The underlying skills of phonological awareness and phonics are taught, along with spelling and printing or cursive writing. The child reads several books a week at the appropriate level. These books are colorful and interesting. New words are carefully introduced and practiced so that the child learns a comprehensive set of sight words in natural text. The meanings of words are also taught as part of vocabulary development. Early intervention is important for the kindergarten and Grade 1 child who is not keeping up with grade level. Comprehension instruction for children who can read well but do not understand what they read is also offered. Visualizing and verbalizing techniques are used to increase language comprehension and vocabulary. Writing Writing can be taught from the early stage of printing words to sentence writing. Then paragraph writing can be developed leading to essay writing. The skills of spelling, grammar and editing are continuously trained. Printing and cursive skills are taught for the younger child with poor motor skills. The use of the computer and proper keyboarding is encouraged for all students. Various writing programs and computer programs such as Kidspiration are used. Children are encouraged to use computer graphics, pictures and videos to add to their writing. Mathematics Math is taught carefully using manipulatives and concrete teaching aids to help the child understand math concepts. Basic skills such as math facts and times table are trained (Times Tables the Fun Way!). The Lindamood program, On Cloud Nine, is used for beginners. The Jump Math program is used according to grade level. Jump Math is the guided discovery method to help the child both understand and become proficient at performing all operations.
3 Language Dr. Pat can work with parents in their home with their preschool child to develop language skills. The Hanen Centre programs It Takes Two to Talk and Learning Language and Loving it can be used with children from age two to the kindergarten age. These programs teach parents how to help their child develop first words to complete sentences. Children learn to use language in imaginative play and to develop narrative ability. Children who are late takers or children who are learning English as a second language can also benefit from tutoring in vocabulary and language development. Emergent reading skills and phonemic awareness can be taught. Various programs such as the Lindmood-Bell Talkies program combined with a play and story book approach can be used for older preschool children or children delayed in language comprehension and expression. Assessments: ü Reading ü Early Readiness ü Language Ability ü Math ü Writing * ü Spelling ü Development* ü Executive Abilities* Optional Testing: If the parent wishes, the child can be tested to determine the level of academic achievement in a specific area. Testing can be done even if tutoring is not needed. A brief report of the scores and an explanation will be provided. Suggestions for intervention will be added to the report. Prior to testing, total fees will be discussed. **The Written Language test includes the assessment of possible motor difficulties with handwriting (dysgraphia). **Developmental Scales are used for an indication of your child s level of development as compared to chronological age. ** Executive Abilities are measured using the BRIEF rating scales. Assessments include a written report
Lindamood-Bell Programs Lindamood-Bell programs are used during instruction as well as other teaching methodologies (www.lindamoodbell.com). These programs are similar to Orton-Gillingham methods but with additional features such as the use of speech-language strategies. Visual imagery and dual coding are used in each lesson. The whole brain is developed and not just the reading and language centers. Ø LiPs Program - Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling and Speech Other programs. Ø Seeing Stars Program for sight word recognition and spelling Ø The Visualizing & Verbalizing Program for language comprehension and thinking. It is used to teach visual imaging and language expression. In this program children practice telling stories and non-fiction narrative. The content adds to the child s vocabulary and knowledge base, as well as contributing to reading and writing skills. Ø The Talkies program is used for early language development. Ø On Cloud Nine is an early math program that begins with number sense and proceeds through fractions. Phonological Awareness Training program by Torgesen and Bryant. Smile (Structured Methods in Language Education written by Enid Wolf - Schien. This is a reading program for teaching letters and early reading to children with autism and children with severe communication disorders.
About. Dr Patricia Mossman is a retired psychologist and certified teacher. She has a Ph. D. in clinical psychology, a Master s Degree in educational psychology and a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology. Dr. Pat has extra training in programs related to special education and language development, such as the Sparks program (Hanen Centre). She has completed the majority of the Lindamood-Bell tutoring programs.