Experiential Learning
to
Meet the Needs of Each Student
Using both Evidence-Based Theoretical Strategies and Multi-Sensory Approaches
Featured Services
Pre-K to Early Elementary
Phonological Awareness
Phonemic Awareness
Rhyming
Alliteration
Ready for Kindergarten Assessment
Concept of Print
Concept of Numbers
Elementary School
Orton Gillingham (OG) / Preventing Academic Failure (PAF)
Formal and Informal Assessments
LETRS Basic Spelling Screener (K-2nd Grade)
LETRS Advanced Spelling Screener (3rd Grade +)
Math Foundations Assessment
Middle & Upper School
Informal Assessments to Evaluate Learning Levels
A Partnership Between SCHOOL, PARENTS, STUDENT & TUTOR
SCHOOL
Check-Ins with classroom teachers: E-mails and phone calls to collaborate on future assignments
PARENTS
Regular communication with family about student’s progress
Parent Support
Phone Calls
Participation and attendance at school specialist meetings
1:1 Sessions to Go Through:
Psycho-Educational Evaluations
Cognitive Functioning
Academic Achievement
Socio-Emotional/Behaviors
WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)
Verbal Comprehension
Visiual-Spatial
Fluid Reasoning
Working Memory and Processing Speed Indexes
IEP-Individualized Educational Plans
School Placements
Private and Public Schools in the DMV
Executive Functioning at Home
STUDENT
Assessments & Evaluations
Introducing Reading Writing and Mathematics to Young Learners
Filling in the Gaps in Foundation Skills
Reteaching Strategies
Enriching Students
Extra Learning Outside of the Classroom
Encouraging students to meet with teachers regularly, ask questions, send e-mails when age-appropriate, and set up review sessions before tests, quizzes or other assessments
Use a school planner for homework completion and assessment tracking
Homework Support in Core Subject Areas:
Reading
Writing
Social Studies
Science
Math
One-On-One Tutoring
In Person at JKR Tutoring
Most materials provided
Home setting
Central location in the DC, MD, VA area
Meet online through Google Meet platform
No driving necessary
Child can meet for sessions if they are home from school
Encourages and utilizes greater executive functioning skills
Students can receive tutoring instruction and reside anywhere in the USA or other countries; based on time-difference and coordination of schedules
What is EF (Executive Functioning)?
“EF is a ‘self-management system of the brain’ It is a set of skills that allow people to control their behavior and direct it toward longer-term goals, rather than doing what is automatic or easiest to accomplish.” (Study Pro)
Six Steps of EF:
1. Analyze a task
2. Plan how to address the task
3. Organize the steps needed to carry out the task
4. Develop timelines for completing the task
5. Adjust or shift the steps, if needed, to complete the task
6. Complete the task in a timely manner (Study Pro)
Formal EF Coaching Includes:
Homework Skills
Task Initiation (How to begin)
Staying on Track
Organization, Planning & Prioritizing:
Using school planners and graphic organizers as well as other tools/strategies
Test-Taking Strategies
Time Management
Remembering:
What to do
When to do it
Flexible Thinking & Problem Solving
Self-Monitoring
Manage/Control: Feelings, Emotions & Impulses
Paying Attention
Organizing Thoughts & Materials
Reflecting on Past Behaviors & Outcomes
EF Coaching May Be What Your Child Needs If They Are:
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, unmotivated
Not reaching their academic potential
Avoiding homework and/or missing due dates
Struggling with focus, organization or time management
Falling behind, despite investing time and effort
Diagnosed with ADHD or other learning differences.
Literacy Instruction
Pre-Reading Skills:
Alphabetic Principle, Phonological Awareness, Rhyming, Alliteration
The SIX Components of Reading:
Phonemic Awareness:
Readers hear, identify and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words (purely auditory skill). This skill builds the foundation for connecting spoken language to written letters.
Phonics:
Spelling Patterns (Refer to OG/PAF), Syllables, Homonyms
Fluency:
Fluent Readers Pay Attention to: Accuracy, Expression, and Pace
Vocabulary:
Understanding the meanings of words leads to reading comprehension and a rich expressive vocabulary that, in turn, leads to strong writing.
Reading Comprehension:
Literal, Inferential & Evaluative Comprehension
Strategies:
Activating Prior Knowledge, Asking Questions, Visualizing, Summarizing, Self-Monitoring, Decoding, Vocabulary, Sentence Structure, Working Memory, Annotation, The Elements of a Story
6. Writing: (Refer to The Writing Revolution)
Grammar Rules
Sentence Structure
Single and Multi-Paragraphs
Revisions, Summarization, Transitions
Opinion, Expository & Narrative Writing
Writing Assignments (in core subjects at school)
Handwriting
Orton Gillingham (OG) /Preventing Academic Failure (PAF) Handwriting
Handwriting Without Tears
Zaner-Bloser Handwriting
D’Nealian Handwriting
Programs to Teach Literacy Instruction:
1. Orton Gillingham (OG) /Preventing Academic Failure (PAF) A Multisensory Curriculum for Teaching Reading, Spelling and Handwriting (Visual, Auditory, & Kinesthetic Input to strengthen associations & automatic recall)
Improves:
Word Recognition, Reading Fluency, Comprehension, Increased Sensitivity of Mastery & Self-Esteem
Results:
Minimum Frustration
Maximum Success
Which Children Benefit from OG/PAF?
All Beginning Readers
Struggling Readers With & Without a Diagnosis
Supplemented Programs to Compliment OG/PAF:
Oxford Reading Tree, Letterland, Jolly Phonics
Supplemental Materials:
Literature that Uses Repetition & Rhyming, Songs & Rhymes, Games, Graphic Organizers
2. Writing Program for Elementary, Middle and Upper School: The Writing Revolution (TWR) A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades
Principles:
Clear & Coherent (Fluent) Writing, Critical Thinking, Content Knowledge, Reading Comprehension, Oral Language Skills
Tutoring Will Support:
Elementary & Middle School Levels
Foundation Skills
Concept of Number
1:1 Correspondence
Addition & Subtraction
Multiplication & Division
Fractions & Decimals
Geometry
Area & Perimeter
Pre-Algebra
Word Problems
Homework Planning
Preparation for tests & quizzes
Well-Versed in Math Programs Including:
Singapore Math
Eureka Math
Chicago Everyday Math
Teaching Philosophy & Background
Judith has over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher, tutor, curriculum developer, learning and reading specialist.
Degrees:
BA (Bachelor of Art) in Sociology with Medical Emphasis, Goucher College, Towson, MD (1993)
MS (Master of Science) in Early Childhood Education, Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY (1996)
MA (Master of Arts) in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Specialist Certification, University of Maryland, College Park, MD (2004)
Judith began her career at The Spence School on the Upper East Side of NYC in the lower school (elementary school) as a classroom teacher. She moved to the DMV (DC, MD, VA) area in 1996 and over the next 10 years she worked extensively in the private school arena (Charles E. Smith JDS, Primary Day School, Concord Hill School, Julia Bindeman Center, Gan at Adas Israel). She was also closely associated with schools her children attended, serving on their Academic Boards at The British School of Washington, and for 13 years at Holton-Arms School.
Since 2006, Judith has worked as a private, one-on-one learning/reading specialist supporting Pre-K through 12th grade students across most core subjects; with a specialized focus on literacy instruction.
Judith’s clients come from both the Public School System in DC and MD as well as a comprehensive list of private prep schools in DC, MD, and VA including:
Beauvoir School Bullis School CES Jewish Day School Field School Georgetown Day School Green Acres School Harbor School Heights School Holton-Arms School Landon School Berman Hebrew Academy National Cathedral School McLean School Norwood School Oneness Nursery School Primary Day School Seneca Academy Sidwell Friends School Siena School St. Albans St. Andrew’s Episcopal School St. John’s Episcopal School St. Patrick’s Episcopal School Washington Episcopal School Washington International School Woods Academy
Other Training:
Research-Based Reading, Writing, EF (Executive Functioning), & Math Approaches:
-Orton-Gillingham (Preventing Academic Failure), Bank Street College of Education; New York, NY (2020) -Joy of Phonics -Oxford Reading Tree Instruction -The Writing Revolution -Handwriting Without Tears -Zaner-Bloser Handwriting -D’Nealian Handwriting -Executive Functioning Training at The Study Pro McLean, VA (2024) -Singapore Math -Eureka Math -Everyday Math
Judith uses frequent assessments to monitor her students’ progress. Her work is effective for students who have difficulties but do not have a formal diagnosis; as well as students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, processing language disorders, speech and language challenges, anxiety, dyslexia, dysgraphia, illnesses (physical and emotional) that have prevented continuity of education, and related learning challenges.
Throughout her career, she also served as a Curriculum Specialist and Educational Consultant, conducting private school admissions evaluations and diagnostic assessments in both the DMV area and New York City. She regularly applies testing and evaluation expertise to design targeted, individualized instruction.
Judith is deeply committed to fostering intrinsic motivation and a love of learning through customized, strengths-based instruction. As a Learning Specialist and Educational Advocate, she has extensive experience developing and evaluating IEPs; and implementing the professional suggestions given in Psycho-Educational Educational Evaluations. She values close collaboration with families, teachers, multidisciplinary school teams, and private professionals in the medical and mental health fields; to ensure the best outcomes for her students.