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READING: PHONICS, FLUENCY, COMPREHENSION
Grades PreK - 4
Jersey City - Hoboken - Online
Group Classes & Private Tutoring

AlphaMinds Academy | About AlphaMinds Reading Program

About AlphaMinds Reading Program

Welcome to our Reading program for students in grade PreK through grade 4! Our program is designed to foster a love for reading and develop essential literacy skills that lay the foundation for academic success. ​ Through our engaging and interactive classes, led by experienced teachers and reading specialists, students will embark on a captivating journey of language exploration. Our curriculum focuses on building strong reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills, tailored to the unique needs and developmental stages of each grade level. ​ In our program, students will delve into a world of captivating stories, diverse genres, and enriching literary experiences. They will learn essential reading strategies, vocabulary development techniques, and effective comprehension strategies to deepen their understanding of texts. Our classes incorporate a variety of multimedia resources, games, songs, and hands-on activities to make the learning process enjoyable and meaningful. We understand the importance of nurturing a growth mindset and promoting a positive reading culture. Our dedicated teachers are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel empowered to express their ideas, ask questions, and explore their own interests through reading. ​ Whether your child is just beginning their reading journey or looking to enhance their existing skills, our Reading program is here to inspire, motivate, and empower them. Together, let's unlock the magic of reading and unlock a world of endless possibilities! At AlphaMinds Academy, we provide both in-person and online classes, ensuring a personalized learning experience. Our classes are conducted in small group settings to promote active participation and engagement. Additionally, private tutoring is also available upon request. Feel free to reach out to us at info@alphamindsacademy.com for more information regarding terms and availability.

Why Choose AlphaMinds Reading Program?

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Our curriculum is expertly designed to cover a range of reading strategies, vocabulary development techniques, and comprehension skills. 

  • Professional Teachers: All of our Reading classes are led by skilled and seasoned educators, as well as certified reading specialists.

  • Engaging and Interactive Lessons: Our classes are interactive and engaging, involving various multimedia resources, games, songs, and hands-on activities.

  • Personalized Attention: Our small group settings allow teachers to provide personalized attention, addressing individual learning needs and challenges. 

AlphaMinds Reading Classes
AFTER SCHOOL (WEEKDAYS) - ONLINE CLASSES

READING I: Phonics for Emerging Readers (Gr. PreK-K)

Our Reading I class is designed to introduce young learners in PreK and Kindergarten to the world of reading through fun and engaging activities. This class focuses on strengthening phonemic awareness skills, including sound and word discrimination, blending, phoneme deletion and manipulation, and identifying and reading DOLCH sight words. We also emphasize developing comprehension skills. We use a variety of teaching methods, such as storytelling, interactive games, and group reading, to keep our students engaged and excited about learning. By the end of this class, students will have developed a strong foundation for reading and a lifelong love for books. This class focuses on: - Phonemic Awareness: Focus on sound and word discrimination, blending, and phoneme manipulation. - Sight Words: Identification and reading of DOLCH sight words. - Comprehension Skills: Developing understanding and interpretation of texts. - Engaging Methods: Storytelling, interactive games, and group reading. Class Structure: - Small Group Setting: Personalized attention in a supportive environment. - Certified Instructor: Led by a certified elementary school teacher specializing in early literacy. - Schedule: Classes take place twice a week, with each lesson lasting 30 minutes. Join us to build a solid foundation in reading and foster a love for books that will last a lifetime!

READING II: Fluency for Rising Readers (Gr. 1-2)

Our Reading II: Fluency for Rising Readers class is designed to build upon the foundation laid in Reading I classes, further developing students' reading skills. This class focuses on enhancing phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through a variety of engaging activities. Key Features: - Phonics and Fluency: Strengthening the ability to decode words quickly and accurately. - Vocabulary Building: Expanding word knowledge to improve understanding and expression. - Comprehension Skills: Developing the ability to understand and interpret texts. - Interactive Learning: Group reading, independent reading, and interactive games keep the learning process fun and engaging. Our curriculum is designed to challenge students while maintaining a fun and engaging learning environment. By the end of this class, students will have significantly improved their reading skills and developed a love for reading that will benefit them throughout their academic career. Class Structure: - Small Group Setting: Personalized attention in a supportive environment. - Certified Instructor: Led by a certified elementary school teacher specializing in early literacy. Join us to enhance your child's reading fluency and foster a lifelong love for reading! **This class is recommended to students who are currently reading at level G-J and slightly above (if you are not sure about your child's reading level, please contact us at info@alphamindsacademy.com for an assessment)

READING III: Comprehension and Writing Skills (Gr. 2-3)

Our Reading III class is designed to enhance students' reading comprehension skills and develop their writing abilities. Through a blend of group discussions and individual activities, students will learn to analyze and interpret various types of texts, including fiction and nonfiction. They will also learn to express their thoughts and ideas effectively in writing, focusing on sentence structure, paragraph formation, and basic grammar. Key Features: - Reading Comprehension: Analyzing and interpreting fiction and nonfiction texts. - Writing Skills: Developing sentence structure, paragraph formation, and basic grammar. - Engaging Lessons: Our lessons include easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and visual aids for visual learners. By the end of this class, students will have the skills and confidence needed to read and write effectively. Class Structure: - Small Group Setting: Personalized attention in a supportive environment. - Certified Instructor: Led by a certified elementary school teacher specializing in early literacy. ​ For the Fall 2024 session, groups are formed based on the students' reading level as follows: *New students: this class is recommended to students who are currently reading at level K and above (if you are not sure about your child's reading level, please contact us at info@alphamindsacademy.com for an assessment) **Current students: this class is for students who are enrolled into our Reading II class during the previous school year

TESTIMONIALS

The Reading classes for 4-5-year-olds at AlphaMinds Academy have been fantastic for my child's early development. The teacher makes learning to read fun and exciting for the little ones!  He is only now starting Kindergarten and is already reading quite well!

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Nicole Morant (mother of a 5 yo)

The Reading Comprehension classes at AlphaMinds Academy have been a game-changer for my child's reading skills. The instructors provide excellent strategies and practice that have significantly improved my child's ability to understand and analyze written texts. Highly recommend!

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Nelya Mil (parent of a 7 yo)

Teachers are engaging and make the learning fun, which is hard to do in a virtual environment. Thank you!!

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Patty F. (parent of a 8 yo)

OUR LITERACY TEAM

Arielle Engelmeyer
Arielle has been tutoring students for over 12 years and has been a teacher, from Pre-K to 5th grade, for the last six. She graduated with a BA in English with an Education minor and then got her Masters in Reading and Literacy. Arielle continued her learning by studying both the Wilson Language and Orton-Gillingham reading methods, which teach multi-sensory approaches to phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. When Arielle is not teaching students how to read, she hosts a Mommy and Me class for toddlers and has dance parties with her three children.
Mandy Faircloth
My name is Mandy Faircloth and I have been teaching for over 15 years from PreK to 4th grade. I received my bachelor degree from NYU and my teaching certification in childhood education (K-6) from the State of Florida. During my leisure time, I love to read, cook, and travel. I grew up in Georgia where my family owned a Montessori School for over 25 years. Because of my family’s dedication to education, I was surrounded by this encouragement to become a teacher. By integrating my knowledge of Common Core standards and Montessori, I have a diverse and creative approach to teaching. I have a deep passion for teaching and education; therefore, I continue to always learn by taking online courses such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), ESL (English as a Second Language), the Science of Reading, and Neurodiversity. I have solid organizational and problem-solving abilities, so I’m capable of flourishing in different and challenging circumstances, especially since I have taught in many international schools with a diversity of families. My priority is students' success by helping them learn and grow.
Jessica Banjo
Jessica Bajno is a dual certificated Childhood and Special Education teacher. She received a B.S. in Political Science from CUNY Hunter College and a dual Master’s degree in Elementary Education and Literacy from Long Island University/C.W. Post. Jessica has been in education for over ten years working with students from Pre-K to 6th grade in various subject areas. Her love for reading and writing is what drove her towards the field of education. Helping students unlock their full reading potential is truly her passion. Her goal is to helps her students become fluent readers and writers and to develop essential tools necessary for success. "The students of AlphaMinds are absolutely incredible! Their grit and desire to learn is inspirational. Every student is prepared, focused, and excited to tackle new tasks, which make our lessons engaging and rewarding!"
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