Case Studies

Monty: from reluctant reader to book lover

The Backstory

What was reading practice and spelling like for Monty before Easyread?

Frustrating. Following a homeschool curriculum based on phonics, we had a word list to work with every week. Monty was fine for the first few weeks we were studying, but as we added more words, it became evident he was memorising the word and not reading it. Words he knew last week escaped him, and he knew he used to know them but now he didn’t.

He became resistant to anything involving literacy, as he does not accept failure well.

Past Efforts

What other types of reading and spelling support had been tried with him before Easyread?

As it was preschool/kindergarten we had only used phonics as that is what the Australian curriculum preference for early literacy. I have read aloud to him since he was an infant. He knew his alphabet prior to organised schooling.

The Easyread Experience

What was the Easyread experience like for you both?

In a word, excellent! He enjoyed the online games from the initial 10 free lessons. Took to decoding readily and enthusiastically. After our first phone consultation, we added eye tracking exercises, and he improved exponentially. There is never any resistance or complaining when it’s time for Easyread lessons.

The Results

How is he finding reading now?

He reads everything. From street signs, to pamphlets, to public information/history signage on outings and museums etc., subtitles and credits on Tv and films.

He is reading grade 2-3 books and some mainly text novels (eg Enid Blyton) and and cartoons/graphic novels. (eg Asterix). He’s going through a rather annoying stage of spelling out answers to my questions, but I’m tolerating it, as “this too shall pass”.

He loves reading now and, as my husband and I are avid readers and collectors of books, this is an absolute joy to behold. He asked for a kindle for Christmas.

Kelly Thoresen Isselhardt

2021-12-24

recommends

As a parent working through the 20/21 school year in distance learning with 3 elementary kids, there were at least some positive upsides. For example, my daughter Laine’s (2nd grade, 8 years old at start) reading ability (when she is such a bright, exuberant, creative, SMART kid) kept me up at night. Something was not connecting. No amount of pressure or more reading was making up for the missing pieces in her ability to read. I was literally awake in the middle of the night, by chance watching Dr. Morgan’s Facebook ad and knew he was talking about my daughter. I started crying and felt I had been given such a gift. By morning in February 2021 she was signed up and on her way to decoding and cracking her reading struggles. It’s not been easy all the time, we have struggled through some lessons with tears and frustration. BUT today, Laine passed her 223 lesson, earned her helicopter (the code words/spy prizes have been a great motivator), and has gone from a 1.5 grade reading level to reading at a 5th grade level with limited assistance in only 10 months. I am so grateful for the Easyread program. Their attention to detail, one on one phone calls and Zoom meet ups, quick response time to questions, and consideration for my kid’s development has made us feel cared for each step of the way. If you have looked into the Easyread program and David’s description of your child’s reading journey hits home, run don’t walk to sign up. It has been one of our favorite blessings of this crazy year and I shout it’s praises to anyone who has a struggling reader.

Laura Stoker

2021-12-21

I was really skeptical about this for my 8 year old, how can 15 minutes a day and video, and games work? He struggled with blending and decoding. He know can use the trainer texts faster then I can figure out the word myself to see if he is correct. The system moves as he needs and the personal support is amazing.

Sara Cunningham-Neuff

What a fantastic programme! Our 8 yr old made such rapid progress I began to doubt myself whether she had had issues in the first place! When we looked at the video recording made at the beginning of the programme, her progress was remarkable within just a few weeks. She asks to do the session every day and complains if I don't have time - a massive difference from a child who used to invent the most incredible excuses to avoid reading before this. She now reads books in her own time and is even starting to get her head around spelling - all in less than 2 months. The personalised support from the Easyread facilitators is much better than I expected from an online course and the prizes are great too! Thank you Easyread!

Jared Amanda Stone

Our daughter has loved the Easyread program. She thinks she is just playing fun games on the computer but she's actually improving her reading and spelling skills. Her Spelling grades have improved from 50% to 90% in only a few months. Thank you Easyread for an amazing program! I would highly recommend your program for any children struggling to read and spell.

Carly Banks

2021-12-14

Wow, this program works! My 9-year old became a more fluent reader within weeks of starting, and she really enjoyed doing the assignments (structured like fun games) every day! She never complained about it once, even 2 months in she was excited to decode the words and play the games in Easyread. And she has so much more confidence now. Thank you Easyread!