The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my tutor gave to me a language formed all willy-nilly.

On the second of Christmas my tutor gave to me two sounds of c, and a language formed all willy-nilly.

On the third day of Christmas my tutor gave to me three sounds of -ed, etc.

On the fourth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me the f,s,l, and z rule, etc.

On the fifth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me five—short—vowel—sounds etc.

On the sixth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me six syllable types, etc.

On the seventh day of Christmas my tutor gave to me seven r blends, etc.

On the eighth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me eight ways to spell long a, etc.

On the ninth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me a reminder to drop the e in ninth, etc.

On the tenth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me ten dictation toys with digraphs, etc,

On the eleventh day of Christmas my tutor gave to me the Norman Invasion's affect on English in the 11th century, etc.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my tutor gave to me twelve Wilson books, etc, and a language not quite so willy-nilly.

Give a child the gift of reading for Christmas

Do you have someone on your gift list who already has everything they need? How about a gift in their name to help a low-income, non reading child learn to read? The Augustine Project is based in Chapel Hill, NC, but has replications in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Hickory, Greenville, SC, and Controe, TX. Volunteers give up two weeks of time to receive 70 hours of top quality training in teaching children to read. They then work with a low-income child for a minimum of 60 lessons. Schools in these areas eagerly seek AP tutors out and invite them to tutor during the school day at school. While our tutors are not Wilson trained, they are conversant with Wilson materials and use those with their students.

The Augustine Project in Chapel Hill, sponsored by The Church of the Holy Family, has just celebrated its 15th anniversary. Check out the website and see what good work is being done. This program and its replications depends on grants and donations to keep the good work going. So check it out. And perhaps you can use this wonderful project as an opportunity to cross several names off your holiday list.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have the best job in the world and today it's one of the many things I give thanks for. It allows me flexibility, a sane schedule, a feeling of accomplishment and a purpose. So today, Thanksgiving, I give thanks for my job, my wonderful students and their parents and schools.

I'm grateful for K., my little guy who "works for Legos". His mischievous smile, cut-throat Go Fish skills, and willingness to try and try and try at something that's very hard for him make him a student I always look forward to.

I'm grateful for A., who never fails to make me laugh. He regularly slaughters me in Blink, and he has one of the most original minds I've ever come across. His divergent thinking and imagination keep me intrigued and determined he WILL become a reader who can do whatever he chooses to do.

I'm grateful for J., and his interest in words and the world, a trait that makes him tumble through the sentences we read. He's incredibly intelligent and polite, and occasionally brings his bear to be tutored as well. This kid will do great things some day.

I'm grateful for E., and the joy he greats me with each session. Because of his autism, we sing much of his lesson and I'm so pleased with the progress he is making. I am convinced that any day now, this guy will read like a pro.

I'm grateful for F. and the pleasure of ending my tutoring day with her great attitude and hard work. I share her with another tutor and F. teaches me what Tracey has taught her. She has great taste in books and has introduced me to some good ones. She has made it to Wilson Book 8 and even likes worksheets!

I'm grateful for H., who told me he'd be my first failure and who is learning to read in spite of himself. He loves creatures like Sasquatch and the Loch Ness monster, and will happily play games based on them. He's a great kid and I enjoy him thoroughly.

I'm grateful for G., my newest student, who finished Wilson Book 1 in two lessons. She has a curious mind and a desire to learn how the language works. She writes incredibly original stories and is an enthusiastic reader and learner. She is so much fun.

I'm grateful for I., a young lady who is unfailingly positive and cheerful. I love hearing, "SO, Linda, what are we going to do fun today?" She is aware of how she learns best and isn't shy about letting me in on the secret. She shows such enthusiasm for everything we do, and she is a killer Blink player.

Thanks to my tutoring partner, Tracey Powell, who is one of the most talented tutors I've ever seen and a joy to work with. Thanks to Carolina Friends School, St. Thomas More, and Jordan Lake School of the Arts for letting me tutor during the school day. Thanks to Beth, Cynthia, Leon, Nancy, Henry and all the other great teachers who work with me as partners in getting these kids to reach their potential. And thanks to the parents who have entrusted me with such joyful, precious gifts. Happy Thanksgiving!