As the school year wraps, I clean and organize student records. These records are for my public school students and my private business students. I am always amazed and overwhelmed

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PEOPLE AT SPECIAL EDUCATION MEETINGS There are three main reasons why there are so many people at your Special Education Meetings. Overall, “the more the

There are many scenarios in which I support families and children with Dyslexia.  I added another one to my repertoire, Dyslexia Advocate! What is an advocate in general? An educational

As a Reading Consultant and a mother time always escapes me. I run out of time planning the day-to-day. The never-ending to-do list of responsibilities. However, I have been replaying

Diagnosing SLD/Dyslexia Parenting is a challenge. Many, many, sleepless nights. Getting your kid evaluated for a learning disability comes with a mixed bag of feelings but is absolutely necessary. The

  Definition of a picture is worth a thousand words —used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words𝆛 “a

I am back! I have been on hiatus from my blog. I am overscheduled. My kids are overscheduled and so am I. Finding the balance is fake talk for memes

Experiences Make an Impact So many parents I work with understand how smart and intellectual their kids are. We have these kids that have a thirst for knowledge. They talk

I hate the gym. I hate working out. I have to work out for my health. Reading is exactly the same thing for most kids. I struggle to make a

Anime and Graphic Novels My kids are binge watching Anime. My summer consists of the battle cry. “It’s my turn to watch..” The only time 4 out 5 kids are

I had a virtual conference with my mentor and we were discussing supporting students. She always leaves me with a piece of simple advice that is profound. We discussed all

In the almost Post-CoVid atmosphere of school should my kid go to summer school? Ask yourself these three questions… 1. Does my kid need the consistency of classroom instruction?Some kids

Tutoring After School Our kids are overscheduled with homework, sports, doctors appointments. As a mother of 4 kids I stretch myself super thin. I try to support my kids but

My biggest wish for all the parents I work with is to enjoy this day. I have been thinking about these parents and all the planning and worrying we do.

Holding on to the Past can Affect the Future. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. Currently we have 3 dogs, 2 cats, a bunny, a bearded dragon, and fish.

Confessions of a Reading Consultant As a parent and a professional I subscribe to a lot of blogs. The experts and authors get traction analyzing reading programs. Mostly all kids

I get a lot of traction with the kids I work with. I have worked with all ages and have settled into working with older students. Older students aren’t looking

As a Reading Consultant I find books. I find books for students, I find books for teachers and I also find books that change the way I think. My favorite

It’s Report Card Season It is report card time around here. Four kids, two types of report cards, and 4 different grade levels. Not to mention Individual Education Plan progress

Empowering Parents Everyone always says, “I don’t know how you do it?”  You have a husband, 4 kids in the house, 1 kid that lives with his mom, 3 dogs,

Pay Attention Part 2 We already determined in last weeks blog, Pay Attention Part 1,that focus is what kids need to complete all learning tasks. “Paying attention,” is a natural

Pay Attention Part 1 95% of the parents I work with have said something along the lines of,“Well, if he just paid attention his reading will improve.” They have also

Don’t Confuse Effort and Motivation with Ability! Effort, motivation, and ability applies to all kids. Everyone naturally performs better when they are motivated. Every student deserves the instruction that feeds

Surfing the internet during a pandemic means negativity sells. Here is the latest on the strained relationship between schools and parents. “Unaware their live-streamed meeting was public, members of the

Should my kid stay back? Should my kid stay back? It’s that time of the year, the end of the year. Many students have not got what they needed due

3 Tips to Make Sure Your Kid is Game Ready In honor of the Super Bowl, here’s the analogy-Hail Mary pass and older kids that struggle with reading. According to

What is High Interest Reading? High interest reading is any book, text, graphic novel or audiobook your kid can not wait to read. High interest reading can be at your

Limiting Beliefs About Reading I struggled with math when I was a kid. I remember we would play math facts around the world. Picture this. A classmate stands next to

Warning-Explicit Content Necessary Most of us have used explicit language to tell people exactly how you feel, what to do or where to go so explicit instruction is similar without

Every single time my kids hit 1st grade the dreaded spelling tests start. I loved watching my kids use inventive spelling to write their 1st words. Then comes the spelling

As I am writing this post, I feel like a granny! You know what’s a matter with kids today? Is not how I want to start this discussion. BUT grammar,

As a parent and a reading consultant I don’t always practice what I preach. Self-care and coming to terms with the truth is important for me so I had this

Election Results What does the election teach us about reading? Now that the election is reportedly over, let’s reflect on the reading skills kids need to understand this.As parents every

Reading horror, suspenseful text, and mysteries is a trick to get kids interested. It is also a treat for kids that struggle with reading so they break away from the

If your kid is a struggling reader then the answer to some questions is more important than others. I am both a parent and a teacher but it does not

Catch-22 noun 1. a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions. PART 2 (continued). There are many “Catch-22’s,” I see

Catch-22 noun 1. a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions. PART 1 There are many “Catch-22’s,” I see in

Doing What Works Lately, I have been asked what works with struggling readers? Is there a specific program that I recommend or books that they would like. I’ve been asked

Football FumbleWith all this talk about this football season, it reminds me of the sports eligibility scenario. I have watched play out time and time again. Kids that struggle with

Disaster Like everyone else at this moment of time, we had a difficult decision to make. Send the kids to school, do distance learning or homeschool. These choices are amazing,

The choice is yours or is it? My news feed is flooded by the problems we are facing with schooling in a pandemic. The best advice that I have seen,

I Just Can’t EVEN Personally, I have had some setbacks and stopped posting. I’m stressed about teaching, tutoring, the impact of CoVid. My Mom recently passed from a brief ferocious

Summer Slide Summer Slide Fact or Fiction?If your kid struggles with reading then chances are the ugly subject of summer school has been discussed. Do you need extended school year

Learning to Read or Reading to Learn- What is the difference? Learning to read can be a difficult process for kids who struggle with reading. The early stages of reading

Being “THAT,” Parent Being “THAT,” Parent. Basically, being “THAT,” Parent is standing up, saying something when it isn’t your place, fighting for equality, standing up for your own rights, and

Being “THAT,” Teacher. Being “THAT,” Teacher. Basically, being “THAT,” teacher is standing up, saying something when it isn’t your place, fighting for equality, standing up for your own rights, and

This Is Us This is US! Before this journey started I asked my husband how I was going to manage to be a parent and a teacher in the same

School Daze Dazed and confused by school services and reading programs?Is Your Child’s Reading Program Preventing Reading Success? Get with the Program or Don’t! What’s the deal with reading programs?

Different Types of Reading There are different types of reading and understanding these will help you and your kid. Kids with reading problems need all these different types of reading

5 Reasons-Why is it SO Hard for your kid to read. Picture listening to your favorite song while reading Shakespeare! (If you can do it you are either old as

Combat the Clicker Effect Previously I explained the 3 different types of clickers, kids who respond to distance learning and technology in different ways. Now here are some tips to

3 Types of Clickers Is distance learning impossible? Can’t navigate your child’s internet programming from the school…join the club. Avoid the clicker effect it causes the low effort syndrome which

Melissa Saliva has been teaching for over 19 years and is currently a Rock Star Reading Consultant. For over a decade she has been teaching kids of all ages that