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March 2025
469.817.9809
Pre-k - 8th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
ReadingRanch.com
Is your little learner ready to master vocabulary and grammar? Our newest program at the Reading Ranch is designed to help students in third to sixth grade learn the art of clear, focused, and polished writing. From decoding tricky prompts to crafting well-structured responses, your child will gain essential skills for academics and a lifetime of literacy. We keep reading and writing fun with engaging activities and advanced vocabulary exercises to grow their comprehension and unleash their creative spark. Here’s what you can expect from our latest program. KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understanding Prompts: • Identify keywords and task verbs (e.g., explain, describe, compare). • Decode what the question is asking. Brainstorming Strategies: • Use graphic organizers like webs or T-charts to outline ideas. • Practice listing key points before writing. Structuring Responses: • Introduce basic frameworks like the “Answer + Evidence + Explanation” (AEE) method. • Emphasize clear topic sentences and logical progression. Conciseness in Writing: • Teach students how to provide complete answers without unnecessary details. • Focus on word choice and removing redundancy. Editing and Refining: • Introduce simple proofreading techniques to check for grammar and relevance. • Encourage self-assessment using rubrics or checklists. Polished Writing Starts Here Unlock Your Child’s Potential With Our Exciting New Program
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES Prompt Breakdown Exercise: Students are given a prompt and must underline action words and keywords, then rewrite the prompt in their own words. • Example Prompt: “Describe your favorite book and explain why it is meaningful to you.” • Breakdown: • Action Words: Describe, explain. • Key Ideas: Favorite book, meaning. Write and Share: Students respond to a short-answer question in 2–3 sentences, focusing on: • Restating the question in the answer. • Providing evidence or reasoning. Peer Review and Feedback: Students exchange their responses and use a checklist to give constructive feedback. EXPECTED OUTCOMES • Confidently tackle writing prompts and short-answer questions. • Use strategies to organize their thoughts quickly. • Write responses that are clear, concise, and well-supported with evidence. KEY FOCUS AREAS Vocabulary Development for High- Performing Students: Advanced Word Lists: • Students will explore vocabulary that challenges their understanding of synonyms, antonyms, and nuanced word meanings. • Topics include subject-specific terms (e.g., scientific, literary, and analytical vocabulary). Word Usage in Context: • Emphasis on contextual word application to strengthen retention. • Activities include sentence creation,
Precision and Tone: • Choosing the right word for the right tone or audience in essays, narratives, and formal writing. Advanced Grammar Mastery: Complex Sentence Structures: • Practice combining simple sentences into compound and complex sentences. • Introduction to dependent and independent clauses. Grammar Challenges: • Addressing tricky grammar rules, such as subject-verb agreement in challenging constructs, parallelism, and pronoun-antecedent agreement. Punctuation Precision: • Refining punctuation skills, including advanced use of commas, semicolons, and colons.
Editing for Grammar and Style: • Students learn self-editing
techniques to enhance grammatical accuracy and stylistic effectiveness.
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES Vocabulary Enrichment: • Word Mapping: Create maps
connecting high-level words to their synonyms, antonyms, and real-world examples. • Contextual Challenges: Students rewrite sentences by replacing basic vocabulary with advanced terms for improved impact. Example: • Original: “The dog is very happy.” • Revised: “The dog is elated.” Word Origins Journey: • Decode unfamiliar words by analyzing roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Example: “benevolent” (Latin bene = good, violent = wishing). Grammar Proficiency: • Sentence Transformation: Convert simple sentences into compound and complex forms. Example: • Simple: “She enjoys reading.”
paragraph integration, and discussion-based learning.
Word Roots and Etymology: • Deep dives into Latin and Greek roots to understand word formation and expand recognition of related words.
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ReadingRanch.com
From Struggles to Strengths Get to the Root of Reading Challenges With Our Screeners
OUR SCREENER PACKAGES We provide screeners for common reading challenges, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, as well as academic checkups and academic language. Through formal one-on-one testing, we assess your child’s specific needs, using the results to create recommendations and a plan for the future. Each screener package includes a 30-minute consultation with you, data collection, and a written report of our findings, helping you make informed decisions about the next steps. COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PACKAGES Our comprehensive assessments go beyond just spotting learning challenges. By integrating parent checklists, work samples, and other tools, we create a detailed and thorough profile of your child’s strengths and needs. Our full psychoeducational assessment is the most in-depth evaluation we offer. It can help
Every child learns differently, and recognizing potential reading and writing challenges can be the key to unlocking success. At the Reading Ranch, we offer diagnostic testing that pinpoints the root cause behind struggles like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or academic performance. Through comprehensive screenings and consultations, we can provide clear insights and actionable recommendations to support your little reader’s journey and ensure they get the help they need to thrive.
discover specific learning disabilities and can also uncover other concerns like ADHD and memory problems. This thorough evaluation gives you a road map with clear, actionable steps to support your child’s reading journey. The journey to overcoming academic challenges starts with understanding the underlying needs. Our diagnostic testing will give you a clearer picture of your child’s strengths and areas for improvement. Armed with this knowledge, we can provide the guidance to help them reach their full potential. To learn more about our diagnostic testing and reading assessments, visit readingranch.com/assessment-pkgs .
EARLY DETECTION MATTERS Early identification of possible reading
difficulties is crucial and is highly effective in providing timely interventions and helping children improve their academic outcomes. By recognizing the signs of these struggles, parents and educators can provide personalized instruction and tailored strategies to help children in the classroom and beyond.
From Book Clubs to Bookmarks How to Make National Reading Month Extra Special
VISIT A LIBRARY OR BOOKSTORE Take a family trip down to the local library or a used bookstore so everyone can pick out a new book to take home. Let your child explore their passions and help them find books on topics they find interesting. You could even turn this into a game by challenging everyone to a book hunt where they need to find specific words or themes. Maybe everyone needs to find a book on nature or a title that includes a color. CRAFTS AND CHARACTERS Get creative with book-themed craft projects, like bookmarks. Everyone in your family can decorate a bookmark that they can use while reading their favorite stories. You could also pick out a day when everyone in the family dresses up like one of their favorite book characters. This is a fun way to engage your little readers and keep them excited about books. As you celebrate National Reading Month, remember that each page you turn with your child is an integral part of their reading journey. Happy reading!
March is National Reading Month, a time to celebrate the joys of books and inspire young minds to explore new worlds through reading. Here at the Reading Ranch, we believe that fostering a love of reading early on can spark creativity, build confidence in literacy skills and keep words fun for young people. From reading together, visiting your local library, or playing fun reading games, there are so many ways to share a passion for reading with your children this month. START A FAMILY BOOK CLUB Book clubs are an excellent way to find new stories to read and connect with others, and you can make one right at home. Start a family book club by picking out an easy chapter book everyone in your group can enjoy. Set up a special area in your house, or choose a comfy location like a local park where everyone can take turns reading a few paragraphs out loud. Once you complete the chapter, ask everyone questions about the story, its meaning, and any words that might have been new. You can make time every week for the book club to meet, and when you finish the story, that calls for a treat!
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469.817.9809
Homemade Shamrock Shakes Inspired by TheKitchn.com INGREDIENTS Milkshake • 1 pint vanilla ice cream • 2/3 cup whole milk • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract • 8 drops liquid or 4 drops gel green food coloring
Praising your child has always been a “tricky” area of parenting. You want to raise your child to be a confident human being while also embodying what it means to be humble and appreciative. So, how do you stay within the bounds of instilling self-assurance without going overboard? While every child is different, several parenting approaches allow you to praise your child’s efforts without enabling arrogance. Raise Confident Kids 4 Tips Every Parent Should Follow RECOGNIZE YOUR CHILD’S EFFORT IN ADDITION TO THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. As parents, it’s easy to praise your child’s accomplishments without acknowledging all their hard work to achieve them. Suppose your child won first place in their school’s spelling bee. Instead of praising them for being the best, acknowledge how all their studying paid off. EXPRESS CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. Let your child know you’re not only proud of them but also that you know they can achieve their goals. This praise sets the stage for your child to share future goals — for example, making the basketball or cheerleading team. AVOID FORESHADOWING PRAISE WITH NEGATIVITY. This may be difficult for some parents, especially if they’ve had repeated obedience issues. If you’re proud of your child’s game-winning catch, avoid prefacing the statement with “Even though you didn’t cut the grass as I asked …” This can be considered the equivalent of a backhanded compliment, and no one responds well to those.
Toppings • Whipped cream • Green sprinkles • 2 maraschino cherries
DIRECTIONS 1. Put 2 tall drinking glasses into the freezer to chill. 2. Allow ice cream to slightly soften for 10–15 minutes. 3. In a blender, add milk, peppermint extract, green food coloring, and softened vanilla ice cream. 4. Blend on lowest setting and work up to medium speed for 1 minute or until smooth and pourable. 5. Pour evenly into frosted glasses, and top with garnish of your choice. Serve immediately.
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• Compound: “She enjoys reading, and she writes about books.” • Complex: “Because she enjoys reading, she writes about books.” • Editing Challenges: Provide students with grammatically incorrect passages to correct and refine. • Punctuation Mastery: Practice exercises involving nuanced punctuation, such as correctly using semicolons in lists.
ALIGN THE LEVEL OF PRAISE WITH THE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
In other words, don’t overdo it. Parents are their children’s biggest cheerleaders, so it can be challenging to tame your emotions when they win or overcome a fear. This is, of course, at your discretion, but it’s something to be mindful of. Does winning the season’s first game warrant a big backyard party with all the bells and whistles? Everyone’s parenting styles differ, but instilling values such as believing in oneself, empathy, gratitude, and determination are qualities any parent can nurture in their children for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES •
Use an enriched vocabulary confidently in various writing contexts. Construct sophisticated sentences using complex grammatical structures. Respond to prompts and questions with precise, polished, and well-supported answers. Edit and proofread their writing independently to enhance clarity, style, and correctness.
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Ready for your child to feel greater confidence and joy in their grammar and vocabulary? Contact us today to learn more about our program and secure a spot!
—Dr. Kim Southwell
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ReadingRanch.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
6991 Pecan St, Suite 200, Frisco, TX 75034
469.817.9809
Pre-k - 8th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
ReadingRanch.com
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Enroll Your 3rd–6th Grader Today
Comprehensive Assessments for Your Child’s Success Inspire Young Readers With These Activities Build a Positive Self-Image in Your Kids Homemade Shamrock Shakes
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K9s For Warriors Is Saving Veterans, One Rescue Dog at a Time
A Black Lab’s Role in Transforming a Veteran’s Life Scout’s Meaningful Mission
For former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Ryan Finch, life after his tour of duty was a battlefield of its own. Haunted by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the weight of his experiences, Ryan struggled to navigate even the simplest moments of daily life. But then Scout came into his life and became a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and a steadfast partner in his journey toward healing. Scout, a vibrant black Lab, has done more than help Ryan manage his anxiety; he’s transformed his world. Crowds and loud noises, once overwhelming triggers, are now manageable with Scout by his side. Soccer games, family gatherings, and the everyday joys of life that once seemed impossible are now part of Ryan’s new normal. Scout’s presence allows Ryan to enter spaces he never thought he’d enter again, not as a man weighed down by his past, but as a father, a husband, and a human being rediscovering connection.
The story of how Scout came into Ryan’s life feels almost destined. Before his deployment, Ryan and his wife had adopted a black Lab, coincidentally named Scout, who died before Ryan went overseas and whose loss Ryan never truly reconciled as he was away from home. So, when Ryan arrived at K9s For Warriors, and the trainers introduced him to his new service dog — a black Lab named Scout — it was a moment of profound healing and renewal. It was as if life had come full circle, offering Ryan a second chance at hope. K9s For Warriors is a testament to the life-changing power of service animals. Determined to combat the devastating reality that 20 veterans die by suicide every day, this program rescues and trains dogs to become service animals for veterans grappling with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. The result is transformative. Veterans find independence, confidence,
and purpose, while rescue dogs gain a life of devotion and meaning.
The impact is undeniable. Graduates of the program report mended family relationships, reduced medication reliance, and renewed joy in life. Ryan’s wife has seen the change firsthand, describing her husband as more engaged, animated, and hopeful for the future. Scout symbolizes resilience and proves that an incredible bond can heal even the deepest wounds.
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