Learn the basics of teaching your child to read and teaching strategies that work with ANY reading program.
Grab the guide and video playlist for $75
Are you a homeschool parent who wants to help your child become a successful reader? If so, let me teach you the foundations of reading instruction.
Welcome to my guide, Foundational Reading Instruction, the comprehensive self-paced guide designed exclusively for homeschool families by an experienced teacher turned homeschool mom and literacy specialist. This guide will take you on an information-packed journey, unraveling the science of reading and providing invaluable insights into effective instructional strategies.
Teaching your child to read can be a daunting task. There are so many different methods and approaches, and it can be hard to know where to start. That's where my guide comes in. I'll teach you the foundations of reading instruction, so you can feel confident in your ability to help your child learn to read.
Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about teaching your child to read? Do you wonder how and where to begin?
This guide is for you if. . . .
+ Your child is between the ages of 4-7, you have an older student just starting reading instruction, or you have a struggling reader.
Whether introducing reading to your little one, supporting an older student in their reading journey, or seeking guidance for a struggling reader, this guide and video playlist is designed to provide you with the essential tools and strategies to foster strong foundational reading skills.
+ You have information overload about reading instruction and do not know where to begin.
If you feel overwhelmed by the abundance of information and conflicting advice, this guide will serve as your compass. It will break down the complexities of reading instruction, guide you through evidence-based practices, and help you build a solid foundation of knowledge to navigate the teaching process confidently.
+ You are a busy parent and need resources you can utilize on your own time, bit by bit.
I understand the demands of homeschooling and parenting and the juggling act you face. This guide and video playlist is designed to be flexible and self-paced. You can dive into the modules and workbook pages at your convenience, seamlessly fitting the learning process into your busy schedule.
+ You are not sure what reading curriculum will be the best fit for your family/child.
With so many reading curricula available, it can be challenging to determine which one best meets your family's needs. In this guide, I'll provide valuable insights and recommendations regarding reading curricula, helping you make an informed decision based on your child's learning style, interests, and educational goals.
+ You are a homeschooling parent looking to strengthen your reading instruction skills.
If you're taking charge of your child's education at home, this guide will equip you with the necessary tools and techniques to create a solid reading foundation within your homeschool environment.
+ You seek practical and actionable teaching strategies to make reading instruction engaging and effective.
This guide goes beyond theory and provides hands-on strategies you can implement immediately. From multisensory activities to personalized approaches, you'll discover a range of techniques to make reading instruction enjoyable and impactful.
+ You want to empower yourself as a parent to play an active role in your child's reading development.
This guide provides you with knowledge and confidence to support your child's reading journey. You'll gain a deep understanding of reading instruction, enabling you to provide personalized and effective support that nurtures your child's love for reading.
What You’ll Learn In This Guide
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In this module, you will learn about language development and how it impacts literacy development.
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In Module 2, you will learn about what is happening in the brain as we learn to read.
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In Module 3, you will learn about a variety of models of reading.
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In Module 4, we discuss Ehri’s phases of word reading development.
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In this module, we jump back in time to see how reading instruction has changed over the years and the impact that has on reading instruction today.
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In Module 6, we will dive into the different components of language arts, what to look for in a reading curriculum, and look at some reading curriculum recommendations.
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In Module 7, we will discuss instructional pacing and examine a sample reading lesson.
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Module 8 is all about instructional strategies. In this module, I will demonstrate a variety of reading instructional strategies including how and when to use them.
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In our final module, we wrap up the course discussing monitoring your child’s progress and developing readers.
About Me
Hi, I'm Sarah from Homespun Childhood.
I'm a former elementary teacher turned homeschool mom of three.
I have BA in Elementary Education from Elon University, an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education and Literacy Development from UGA, and am LETRS 1 & 2 certified.
As a teacher, I taught kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade in public and private school settings. I taught in an inclusion classroom where roughly half of my class each year had special learning needs.
During my years in the classroom, I ran workshops on literacy instruction, classroom setup, and assessments/progress monitoring.
As a homeschool parent and member of the homeschool community, I'm excited to share my professional experience and knowledge with you.
FAQ
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Parents whose children are already advanced readers beyond the foundational stage: If your child has already developed strong reading skills beyond the foundational level, this course may not provide the appropriate level of content and instruction for their needs.
Educators with extensive training and experience in reading instruction: If you are a professional educator who has already received comprehensive training in reading instruction and have substantial experience in teaching foundational reading skills, this course may cover familiar ground and not offer significant new insights or strategies.
Parents seeking a comprehensive literacy intervention program: While this course provides valuable guidance on foundational reading instruction, it is not designed as a comprehensive literacy intervention program for children with significant reading difficulties or learning disabilities. In such cases, I recommend reaching out for a literacy consult. -
I’d like to think so, but you might gain more insight into your child’s reading skills through my Literacy Assessments for Homeschoolers Guide.
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This guide is beneficial for anyone who is actively teaching their child to read. The instructional strategies and pacing modules would especially benefit a home educator with a struggling reader.
Don’t all reading programs do the same thing — teach a child to read?
The short answer? No. Unfortunately, many reading programs are not based on the decades of research we have on how children learn to read. Some focus too heavily on guessing strategies or memorization, while others neglect foundational skills like phonemic awareness and decoding.
The truth is that not all programs are created equal — and using the wrong approach can leave gaps that make reading harder than it needs to be. Your child deserves evidence-based instruction that builds confident, fluent readers from the ground up.
