Handwriting Without Tears
Handwriting Without Tears teaches students that legible and fluent handwriting can be a natural and automatic skill that involves posture, balance, visual motor and fine motor skills. The handwriting fluency achieved with Handwriting Without Tears equips students with the tools necessary to express themselves and enhance language literacy and skills in other school subjects.
This program can be taught independently or in conjunction with other Direct Instruction programs available at RRLS.
Click here to read testimonials
Who benefits from these programs?
RRLS Academic Remediation Programs provide support for students with Learning Differences, which are also referred to as learning disabilities. These programs are ideal for students who require explicit instructions and a systematic approach to the learning process. RRLS employs a Direct Instruction pedagogy by working with research based programs and exclusively designed curricula founded on sound educational principles. This highly effective instructional approach involves the explicit teaching of skills in a strategic and systematic method until the student masters the concepts, moving up to and past grade level expectations.
Why are these programs important?
Remediation Programs teach learning methods that are not usually found in most classrooms or education systems. They are designed for students who have fallen below grade level expectations and risk steadily falling behind their peers if they do not receive proper support. These issues are usually more difficult to solve as the student grows older. However, when learning issues are properly addressed, the student gains the ability to reach full academic and lifelong potential.
What subjects are covered by these programs?
The main subjects that are covered are reading, mathematics, written expression, and the mechanics of letter formation.
What age range is covered by the programs?
Ages 4 and up.
What programs does RRLS work with?
Reading Mastery
Wilson Language System
Handwriting Without Tears
Power Writing
JUMP Math
Who teaches the lessons? Are the lessons truly One to One?
All lessons are taught by an experienced teacher with B.Ed and/or M.Ed certification. Sessions are exclusively One to One, one teacher working with one student in a private space. Teachers are selected not only for their skill level, but the ability to relay information in a warm and encouraging manner. Teachers are also aided by extensive support from the Director of Education and a library of reference materials.
What is the learning process?
The first appointment consists of an assessment where the student’s individual needs are determined; at that point in time, RRLS will decide on a course of action in consultation with the parents. Parents and students will be presented with a written learning plan, which will include planned lessons, appropriate assessment and evaluation, written reports, and consultation with the parents and classroom teachers. The student’s personal needs will determine teacher compatibility and frequency of lessons. Typically, recommendations range from 2 to 5 hours of lessons per week. Please note that we recommend that lessons are attended year round, even during holidays and school breaks. We can construct special holiday schedules to afford time off for the student while maintaining program continuity.
My child was just diagnosed with a Learning Difference. Do your programs work with these issues?
Yes, our programs are chosen to support those diagnosed with Learning Differences, and our teachers are trained to use them effectively.
What approach do you use when teaching children with Learning Differences?
Children with Learning Differences excel when receiving Direct Instruction in a One to One situation. This highly effective instructional approach involves the explicit teaching of concepts in a strategic and systematic method. It also allows for repetition and mastery of the concepts.
Our psychologist has just written a Psycho-Educational Evaluation concerning my child’s Learning Difference. Do you need to see it?
Yes, please bring in the report as this is a key tool in designing and implementing a personalized support plan for your child.
Why is my child having academic issues when they are talented in other areas and have reached other milestones without issue?
Academic issues, such as those related to reading or math, will surface when a child has not yet acquired or mastered the requisite skills for a specific subject. RRLS believes that everyone can attain these skills. Some students, however, need more specific teaching methods than are being practised at school.
Does RRLS have experience with children who have ADD/ADHD, executive functioning issues, anxiety issues and Asperger’s?
Yes. We have extensive experience teaching children with these diagnoses and others.
What does the RRLS Direct Instruction process entail?
Students receive an initial assessment where a certified teacher thoroughly evaluates the skill level of the child, investigates their relationship with school and gains insight into their educational habits. Once the assessment is complete, the teacher designs and then presents a personalized program for your child. A year-long schedule is devised and academic support begins shortly thereafter. Support includes 2 to 5 lessons per week, periodic testing, and written reports generated at regular intervals. In addition, regular conferencing with parents and classroom teachers is scheduled.
Which Direct Instruction programs do you use?
There are several programs we work with depending on the needs of the individual. We work with Reading Mastery, Wilson Reading System, Handwriting Without Tears, Power Writing and JUMP Math. Please click on each program to learn more.
How do RRLS One to One sessions differ from ‘individualized’ sessions offered by other companies?
All RRLS Academic Remediation students attend One to One sessions, which consist of one student with one teacher in a private learning space. ‘Individualized,’ for other companies, often means that a student is placed in a program within a set curriculum, but attends lessons within a group class. Many times the students in the group class have different issues, are in different grades, and are working on different subjects. We believe that each student has individual needs and it can best be addressed by one student working with one teacher in a private space. In our sessions, the student benefits from the teacher’s entire focus, while not distracted by other students.
Can RRLS help me advocate for my child?
Yes, RRLS is very familiar with the Ontario education system, since we have strong working relationships with many schools, both public and private, as well as other educational professionals. RRLS Learning Specialists are available to attend school meetings, including parent-teacher interviews, as well as IEP and IPRC meetings. We often work with families and provide guidance and insight into how to effectively communicate with school personnel and resolve academic issues. Additionally, we empower our students to exercise self-advocacy skills, which allow them to take greater responsibility for their academic success.
What are the qualifications of your teachers? How are they supervised?
All teachers have either B.Ed or M.Ed certification. They have extensive classroom and One to One experience, and are well trained in the programs they are teaching. All teachers are supervised by the Director of Education, who is also a certified teacher.
What results should I expect from RRLS programs?
RRLS achieves great results, and the majority of students progress significantly over the course of their lessons. However, each individual learns in their own time. While one student may need only a few months of support to achieve their goals, another student may need several years. RRLS offers a great opportunity for students to dramatically increase their skills, and reach milestones they never thought possible.
What should we do as a family to best support the work at RRLS?
Families are vital to helping their children grow academically. Providing a supportive environment, with clear expectations for the student is the key to success. This includes arriving for lessons on time, keeping the teaching appointment free of other activities to minimize cancellations, ensuring the student comes to regular lessons even during school holidays, and providing a dedicated space at home where the student can work without distraction.
Can’t I wait until my child outgrows the Learning Difference(s)?
While it is a possibility that a small number of children will mature out of their Learning Differences, the majority will not. By waiting for the problem to disappear on its own, there is a high risk that students will fall further behind. When this occurs, the problem becomes harder to remedy as students tend to lose confidence in their own abilities. This loss of confidence can also lead to a diminished self-esteem.
What is the time commitment?
Parents must understand that remediation issues take time and consistency to solve. Depending on the severity of the situation, a student may need constant support for 1 to 4 years. Some will need support throughout their scholastic career. Time wise parents should plan on 2 to 5 hours a week.
Do the students have holiday breaks like they do at school?
Children should have breaks from work, however, consistency is an important element in our programs, so we must plan on students attending some sessions over holiday breaks. Studies show that a long break over summer, such as 9 to 10 weeks, has a negative effect on academic gains and diminishes much of the progress achieved over the school year. For more information on summer learning loss, click here. When you come in for your first appointment, we will set a schedule and come to a reasonable time commitment.
What is the cost?
We do not publish the cost of these programs online due to the variance of each individual case. Parents should understand that RRLS strives for the highest quality of Academic Support. The very nature of true One to One support, aimed at solving difficult issues, does demand highly qualified teachers and costly resources. Whether you decide to work with RRLS or with another organization we urge you to invest in your child now, as the cost of solving the issue both in personal and financial terms will dramatically rise as they age.
What is my first step?
Please call RRLS at 416.925.1225. A certified teacher will happily discuss the programs and your options with you.
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