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May 2025
469.817.9809 ReadingRanch.com
Pre-k - 8th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
Every child deserves the chance to become a confident and enthusiastic reader. But reading isn’t just about recognizing words on a page — it’s about unlocking a world of understanding, imagination, and lifelong learning. At The Reading Ranch, we believe in nurturing strong literacy skills through engaging, research-backed instruction that makes reading accessible and enjoyable. Whether your child is just starting their journey with books, struggling in the classroom, or needs extra support, we’re here to build a foundation for lifetime success. Here’s how we can help your child master phonemic awareness, phonics, and other literacy building blocks. BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS Phonemic awareness and phonics are the building blocks of reading success. Phonemic awareness helps children hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in spoken words, while phonics connects those sounds to letters and words. Parent & Family Information Guide How Reading Ranch Can Help Your Child’s Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
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Engaging games, songs, and movement activities to reinforce phonemic awareness
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Word bank activities to support early writers Guided writing practice, including creative and structured writing exercises
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FLUENCY DEVELOPMENT: READING WITH CONFIDENCE Fluency is the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with expression. It bridges the gap between decoding and comprehension, allowing children to focus on understanding what they read.
EARLY LITERACY FOR PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN: LAYING THE GROUNDWORK Early literacy skills, such as introducing print concepts, letter recognition, and oral language development, set the stage for future reading success.
How Reading Ranch Helps: •
Repetitive reading strategies to build automaticity Expressive reading practice with teacher guidance Structured fluency drills with high-frequency words and decodable texts
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Fun, engaging activities to build early vocabulary and listening skills Letter and sound recognition through multi-sensory learning Interactive read-alouds to develop a love of books
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READING COMPREHENSION: UNDERSTANDING AND THINKING CRITICALLY Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, analyze, and draw conclusions from texts. Strong comprehension skills are essential for academic success in all subjects.
SUPPORT FOR STRUGGLING READERS: PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION Some children need extra support to develop strong reading and writing skills. Whether your child shows signs of dyslexia, struggles with decoding, or needs confidence in reading, targeted instruction can make a difference.
How Reading Ranch Helps: •
Teaching active reading strategies like predicting, questioning, and summarizing Encouraging discussions and critical thinking through guided reading sessions Providing engaging fiction and non-fiction texts to enhance comprehension skills
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Small group or one-on-one instruction tailored to your child’s needs
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Research-based strategies for struggling readers, including explicit phonics instruction
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Building confidence through positive reinforcement and engaging activities
WRITING DEVELOPMENT: EXPRESSING THOUGHTS CLEARLY Writing is a key component of literacy, helping children organize thoughts, develop vocabulary, and communicate effectively.
At The Reading Ranch, we don’t just teach kids to read and write; we spark a true passion for learning and the confidence to thrive. Contact us today to learn more about our programs. Let’s turn the page to a world of new literacy adventures together!
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Multisensory phonics instruction using hands-on activities Systematic teaching of letter- sound relationships and decoding strategies
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How Reading Ranch Helps: •
Step-by-step instruction in sentence and paragraph structure
—Dr. Kim Southwell
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More Than Tutoring Reading Ranch: Igniting a Love for Literacy in Young Learners
Coppell, Texas — Parents and students are singing the praises of The Reading Ranch, a premier literacy enrichment program designed to cultivate strong reading and writing skills in children. The center, known for its research-based curriculum with a multisensory approach, utilizes explicit and systematic phonics instruction, encouraging fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and writing composition through engaging instruction. The Reading Ranch has become a beloved institution for families eager to support their children’s literacy development. One enthusiastic parent recently shared, “Parker asked AGAIN today, ‘When can we go back to Reading Ranch?’ So, I better enroll!” This sentiment is echoed by many families who witness firsthand the excitement and progress their children experience through the program. The Reading Ranch offers a structured and interactive approach to phonics, fluency, and comprehension, ensuring students not only learn to read but also develop a true passion for literacy. With small group instruction and individualized attention, children build confidence while mastering essential reading and writing skills. What sets The Reading Ranch apart from other literacy programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin areas is its focus on literacy, unlike other tutoring centers that blend reading with general subject tutoring.
Reading Ranch provides a systematic and research-driven curriculum designed for reading and writing development, ensuring students receive targeted instruction tailored to their needs. Additionally, its multisensory teaching methods engage students in a way that enhances retention and application, making learning effective and enjoyable. Unlike many large franchise-based tutoring centers, The Reading Ranch is proudly family-owned. Dr. Kim, the founder, lives right in the rural Celina, Texas, area and is hands-on in every aspect of the program. Her deep commitment to literacy education and personal involvement ensures every child receives the highest instruction and care. Dr. Kim is not only an educator, married for nearly 40 years to her high-school sweetheart, but also a mother and a proud grandmother of two granddaughters who will undoubtedly be future Reading Ranch learners! Enrollment is open, and we encourage parents to secure a spot for their child. One family excitedly stated, “I just completed the enrollment form … let me know when we can come to the first class!”
For those looking to nurture their child’s love for reading, The Reading Ranch provides an enriching environment where literacy skills flourish.
To learn more or to enroll your child, visit ReadingRanch.com or contact their team to schedule a class. Don’t miss the opportunity to ignite a love for reading in your child today!
Is Your Child Ready to Shine? Our New Programs Are Here to Help Them Grow
Little learners are capable of big things, and here at The Reading Ranch, we’re always finding new ways to help them shine! This year, we have three exciting new programs designed to build confidence, sharpen their skills, and inspire a love of reading and writing. From mastering vocabulary to enhancing their public speaking abilities, these courses will give your child the tools to reach the next level on their reading journey! VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR The Vocabulary & Grammar program will help students build a strong foundation in language, enhancing their ability to read, write, and communicate with confidence. During this class, your child will experience new words through multisensory activities that expose them to new
concepts, ideas, and contexts in a fun way. They will also learn critical grammatical concepts, like new spelling patterns, sentence structure, and basic punctuation. Grammar is an essential set of rules for reading and writing, and children in this program will leave with a proper understanding of how words work together. ERB: READINESS BOOTCAMP (PRIVATE SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM PREP) The ERB Readiness Bootcamp is a comprehensive program that helps your child excel in private school entrance exams by focusing on key skills, strategies, and concepts. We ensure your little learner is confident in the required competencies like reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing mechanics, expression, and listening skills. No matter what
school is right for your child, we can ensure they are prepared to pass the exam and retain those essential skills. PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATE PROGRAM If your child is ready to put their debate skills to the test, we are excited to announce a new Public Speaking & Debate Program being piloted at our Prosper location this summer. Students who participate in public speaking and debate often see improvements in their vocabulary and fluency, self-esteem, and communication skills. We’ll teach them how to use words to be persuasive, the basics of speech delivery, and how to articulate their opinions effectively.
To learn about The Reading Ranch’s programs, visit ReadingRanch.com .
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469.817.9809
History is full of strange creatures. Some may not haunt our imaginations today, but their stories provide a fascinating glimpse into the fears of the past. BYCORNE The Bycorne was a cow-like beast with a human face that thrived on “patient husbands” for food. His spouse, Chichevache, ate patient wives but was always lean. The Bycorne’s legacy reflects how folklore blended humor and fear with cultural commentary. LAMIA In Greek mythology, Lamia was a beautiful queen who became a child- devouring monster. Her name later became synonymous with witches and female demons. SNALLYGASTER A reptilian-winged beast, the Snallygaster emerged in early 20th- century American folklore, inspiring public hysteria before fading into obscurity. However, its name survives in “snollygoster,” a term for an unprincipled person. Though these monsters vanished from everyday discussions, their stories remind us that legends and the words used to describe them are constantly evolving. Monsters Lost to Time Weird, Wild, and Once Feared Are you ready to help your little learner grow a love of reading and writing? Visit ReadingRanch.com to learn more about how we make reading fun!
Creamy Chicken Carbonara
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
With tender chicken, crispy pancetta, and a velvety egg-based sauce, this is a rich, satisfying take on classic carbonara — and it comes together in about 30 minutes.
INGREDIENTS • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced (8 oz)
• 3 oz Parmesan cheese • 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup pasta water • 1 tbsp chopped parsley, optional
• Salt and pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 4 large eggs
DIRECTIONS 1. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain. 2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, and cook chicken until golden and fully cooked. Remove chicken. 3. In a bowl, mix eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth. 4. Add pancetta to chicken pan, cook until crispy, then stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. 5. Toss pasta with pancetta, then remove from heat. Stir in egg mixture, adding reserved pasta water gradually until creamy. 6. Mix in chicken and garnish with parsley before serving.
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6991 Pecan St, Suite 200, Frisco, TX 75034
469.817.9809
Pre-k - 8th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
ReadingRanch.com
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Support for Every Stage of Literacy
Enroll at Reading Ranch Today Unlock Your Child’s Full Reading Potential
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The Monsters History Tried to Forget Creamy Chicken Carbonara
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Tips for Engaging Your Kids in a Nature Hike
Help Your Kids Fall in Love With Hiking Step by Step
leaves, and types of flowers, and you can even have them keep an ear out for different bird calls.
Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy nature is a goal worth pursuing, but smartphones, video games, and social media have made it far more challenging in recent years. We celebrated Earth Day on April 22, and a nature walk is a great way to keep the appreciation for nature going. Planning games, creative projects, and other challenges to engage them during your hike can get kids involved from the start. Choose a trail that isn’t too difficult, and allow your children to wander and explore. If your children have a creative flair, encourage them to collect dried leaves, pieces of bark, seed pods, sticks, and other items to use in a collage. For adventurous kids, you can draft an age-appropriate list for a scavenger hunt to keep them from growing bored on the walk. You can include different insects native to your area, specific colors of
Challenge your kids to make a list of all the plants or animals they can identify while they walk. Apps like Leafsnap help you identify plants using photos of their leaves or other parts. Additionally, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an online step-by-step guide at ArborDay.org for identifying a tree by its leaves. Keep the learning going by having your kids record their distance based on trail signs or a map app on their phones and calculate their average speed. You could also invite your youngsters to become cartographers, tracing the trail and surroundings on paper, including landmarks, rivers, and lakes. Older kids can add topographical information using their phones or an altitude app such as Altimeter or My Altitude. Hiking is a fantastic activity to help your kids appreciate the outdoors rather than their phone screens, but being in nature takes energy. Remember to pack snacks and a water bottle before you leave, or pack a favorite picnic meal to savor the rewards of exploring the outdoors!
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