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January 2025
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Pre-k - 8th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
The Power of Daily Reading Why Every Minute Counts
THE DATA: SMALL EFFORTS, BIG GAINS Here’s what the data tells us:
In our busy, tech-driven world, building a daily reading habit for children might seem challenging. Yet, research shows that even just a few minutes of daily reading can make a huge difference in your child’s academic growth, vocabulary, and future success. By making reading a family routine, creating a space that encourages picking up books, and modeling the importance of reading by doing it ourselves, we can help young people feel a spark of passion for books and grow their skills. Children who read every day, even if it’s just for a short time, will encounter a large number of words in the year, strengthening their abilities and putting them on a better path to greater literacy. We have found that those children who read more regularly tend to have greater success in school. The chart’s comparison between “Student A,” “Student B,” and “Student C” illustrates this impact.
read regularly build stronger confidence and gain access to a world of adventures through books.
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Student A reads 20 minutes daily, encountering around 1,800,000 words yearly. Student B reads five minutes daily, reading about 282,000 words annually. Student C reads only one minute per day, covering just 8,000 words a year.
HOW TO ENCOURAGE A READING HABIT 1.
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Set a Routine: Make reading part of the daily schedule. Even five minutes a day can help your young reader improve. Create a Reading Environment: Keep books accessible, create a nice reading nook in your home, and visit libraries. Encourage them to be excited about new books. Be a Reading Role Model: Children who see adults reading are more likely to do it, too. Invite them to read alongside you or set a time in the day when everyone in the household, including you, has quiet time for reading. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge their reading milestones to keep motivation high. Treat them to new books or little rewards when they have finished reading or had a great discussion about the book. Make sure you let them know how proud you are of their accomplishments.
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This consistent practice places Student A in the top reading percentiles, around the 90th percentile, while minimal readers tend to fall closer to the 10th percentile.
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A rich vocabulary boosts reading comprehension, which is essential
across all subjects. Children who read regularly tend to understand and communicate more effectively, supporting their performance in school and beyond. LIFELONG BENEFITS OF READING Daily reading isn’t just about academics; it also fosters empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. By engaging with different stories and perspectives, children build a broader understanding of the world and the people in it, preparing them for future social and academic challenges. Children who
Every minute of reading matters! Encouraging your child to read daily, even for a few minutes, makes a big difference over time. This simple habit not only builds essential skills but also instills a lifelong love for learning and growth. If you are looking for more resources on reading exercises you can do at home daily with your little readers, visit our blog at ReadingRanch.com/blog . —Dr. Kim Southwell 1
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See What’s in Store at The Reading Ranch in 2025
New Year, New Reading Skills
Families will: •
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As we kick off the new year here at The Reading Ranch, we’re excited to roll out programs designed to help young readers improve their skills and help parents like you support their literacy journeys. From hands-on activities that make learning fun to a brand-new class intended to help students improve their vocabulary and writing skills, we have so much to look forward to this year. Whether your little reader is just getting started or is working through specific challenges, The Reading Ranch is here to help! FAMILY LITERACY: USEFUL HANDS-ON METHODS PARENTS CAN IMPLEMENT AT HOME Our Family Literacy program provides parents with activities and methods to help their children develop their literacy skills and become more confident in their abilities. When the entire family gets involved, it can foster a love and passion for reading, encouraging multiple generations to fine-tune their reading and writing skills.
Gain activities they can work on at home to improve their reading skills. Develop stronger phonemic awareness and greater vocabulary and comprehension. Establish a reading routine at home that the entire family can participate in. Learn how to create discussions and questions around readings that encourage children to think critically about the context of stories.
Build a richer vocabulary by learning new words and their meanings in context. Practice using new vocabulary in complete sentences to improve sentence structure. Learn basic grammar concepts like parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives) and their correct usage. Apply grammar rules to create well- structured sentences and short paragraphs. Participate in fun writing prompts and activities to enhance their ability to write clearly and expressively.
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NEW GRAMMAR & WRITING PROGRAM: VOCABULARY ENHANCEMENT AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE Our new Grammar & Writing program will help students strengthen their vocabulary, improve sentence structure, and develop effective writing skills. This program focuses on expanding vocabulary through fun and engaging lessons, emphasizing grammar rules and writing techniques.
This program is ideal for students who want to strengthen their writing and grammar skills while becoming more confident in their expression. To learn more about our classes and curriculum or to register for Reading Ranch sessions, visit ReadingRanch.com .
Reading Red Flags Does Your Child Need Extra Help With Reading and Writing?
SPELLING STRUGGLES If your child is misspelling more words than not, especially words that are phonetically simple, it may be a sign they need help with phonics patterns and rules. Students who misspell words likely need help with sounding out words. They may write slowly, forget simple spelling rules, or mix up letters when they spell. They may also choose the wrong spelling of similar-sounding words like “sale” and “sail.” Recognizing early signs of reading and writing struggles can help your little learners develop their skills and become more confident readers. If your child struggles to read, contact us at The Reading Ranch to learn how we can turn reading and writing into exciting adventures!
Is your child struggling to keep up with their reading and writing? It’s not always easy to tell when your little learner may need extra support, but there are some telltale signs to watch for that may indicate they’re facing literacy challenges. From difficulties with spelling to a reluctance to read aloud, recognizing these early reading red flags can make a big difference. Here are some of the main signs that your child may need extra help to get on the road to reading. GUESSING WORDS Kids who frequently guess words instead of trying to sound them out are having trouble decoding — using their knowledge of letter- sound relationships and patterns to figure out new words. They may be trying to use
context clues or pictures to come up with an appropriate word instead of using their phonemic awareness. Some children can become very good guessers, so asking them questions about what they have read is necessary to see if they are guessing. AVOIDING READING Does your child often say they are too tired to read and write or don’t want to? Children struggling with reading and writing will typically try to avoid doing it. They may get frustrated or upset easily over the notion of reading or feel little interest in books or reading activities, even when they are fun. Kids who don’t like reading aloud, especially in front of others, may also be showing signs of reading difficulties.
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Among the countless parenting styles out there, an approach called “lighthouse parenting” is a beacon for guiding children through life’s turbulent waters while giving them the space to navigate on their own. While it may sound ideal, is it the right parenting style for your kids? WHAT IS LIGHTHOUSE PARENTING? Coined by Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, lighthouse parenting is a philosophy detailed in his book “Raising Kids to Thrive.” This approach emphasizes a balance of nurturing and communicating with children while allowing them the freedom to grow independently. Just as a lighthouse guides without steering the ship itself, lighthouse parents offer direction and ensure safety without overly controlling their children’s lives. IT ADVOCATES FOR A BALANCED APPROACH. Lighthouse parenting positions itself in the sweet spot on the parenting spectrum — not as overbearing as helicopter parenting nor as detached as free-range parenting. It focuses on being emotionally present and available, providing a safe space for children to bring up issues and learn from their experiences. This method involves: • Checking in Regularly: Ensuring open lines of communication. • Encouraging Autonomy: Allowing kids the freedom to make decisions and learn from the outcomes. • Promoting Resilience: Supporting children as they navigate challenges, helping them to develop coping skills and independence. PARENTS SET BOUNDARIES AND OFFER SUPPORT. Unlike authoritarian parenting, which might stifle a child’s sense of independence, lighthouse parenting encourages self-reliance through trust and minimal but firm boundaries. Parents provide the framework, trusting the kids to make good decisions. This method helps to build a robust support system where children know they have the safety net of their parents’ guidance when needed. KEEP THE LIGHT ON Adopting the lighthouse method involves unconditional love paired with expectations and boundaries. It’s about guiding children through the complexities of growing up without removing the essential experiences that teach them about life. Of course, no single parenting style is perfect for every child. How you reinforce lighthouse parenting depends entirely on your child’s needs and developmental trajectory. Ultimately, lighthouse parenting aims to prepare children to thrive independently, ensuring they know the way back to shore, no matter how far away they sail. Shining the Light on Lighthouse Parenting A Balanced Approach to Raising Independent Children
Winner Winner Potluck Dinner
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 lb ground beef • Salt and pepper, to taste • 3 tbsp butter •
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1 cup finely chopped onion
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1 cup water
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2 cans (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 1 can (5 oz) chow mein noodles, divided
2 cups sliced, peeled potatoes 2 cups finely chopped celery 1 cup finely chopped carrots 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Take A Break shallow 2-qt baking dish, and spoon meat mixture over noodles. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Top with cheese and remaining noodles. Bake, uncovered, another 10 minutes or until heated through. DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble beef until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. 2. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté potatoes, celery, carrots, green pepper, and onion for about 5 minutes. Add water, cover, and simmer for 4–5 minutes. Stir in soup and beef until well incorporated. 3. Sprinkle half the chow mein noodles into a greased,
Beginnings Blankets Carnation Capricorn Garnet Healthy Icicle Penguin Planning Resolution Snowboard Soupy
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6991 Pecan St, Suite 200, Frisco, TX 75034
469.817.9809
Pre-k - 8th Grade
Literacy & Tutorial Centers
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Inside 1 2
The 20-Minute Secret to Your Child’s Academic Success
Reading Ranch’s New Grammar & Writing Program Spelling Struggles You Shouldn’t Ignore in Young Readers Lighthouse Parenting: Illuminate the Path to Independence and Resilience Winner Winner Potluck Dinner Earth Lures Tiny New Moon Temporarily Into Its Orbit
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Earth Lures 2nd Moon Into Its Orbit
The moon has been Earth’s primary companion in space for about 4 billion years, inspiring countless poems, songs, and space missions. Recently, however, the Earth attracted a second moon — a mini-moon temporarily pulled into its orbit by the Earth’s gravitational force. The tiny asteroid, named 2024 PT5, was about 33 feet wide, roughly the size of a school bus.
The moon’s rocky little companion didn’t hang around for long, however: 2024 PT5 hurtled away a little before Thanksgiving toward its permanent home, the Arjuna asteroid belt, a collection of space rocks orbiting the sun. Scientists say the Earth’s gravitational field pulled 2024 PT5 as it ventured within 28 million miles of us, traveling at a relatively low speed — in space terms — of around 2,200 mph. The Earth’s downward force was strong enough to draw the slow-moving asteroid into orbit. The rendezvous didn’t last long. The attraction wasn’t sufficient to capture 2024 PT5 for more than about two months. 2024 PT5 didn’t make much of a splash among amateur astronomers, either, because it was too small to be seen through amateur telescopes or binoculars. Natural objects become moons when they orbit planets, held by the larger body’s gravitational pull. Some moons form at the same time as their home planet, while others come into being when an asteroid smashes into their primary planet. Still others, like 2024 PT5, are itinerant asteroids that come too close to a planet to escape its gravitational pull. Several mini-moons have been detected in Earth’s orbit since 2006, but all proved fleeting companions. “You may say that if a true satellite is like a customer buying goods inside a store, objects like 2024 PT5 are window shoppers,” astronomer Carlos de la Fuente Marcos told Space.com.
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