Grades K-8
Reading Program for Struggling Readers Science-Based, Affordable, At-Home Program
Scholar Within’s Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET has been featured on
What parents are saying
“My daughter has not only increased her words per minute but also has improved her comprehension.”
– Mary M.
“The video spelling and phonics lessons are like having a private tutor in our home.”
– Wendy R.
“The games were really enjoyable! We even played them AFTER the lesson was over for the day.”
– Natalie M.
Reading scores are below grade level nationwide.
66% of 4th-grade students are NOT proficient in reading.
69% of 8th-grade students are NOT proficient in reading.
– 2022 4th and 8th Grade Reading Scores (US NAEP)
Finally, a Reading Program that Works for Struggling Readers
Why do students struggle with reading?
Many elementary school students struggle with reading, which can be frustrating and discouraging for both the students and their parents.
Struggling with reading can be due to:
- Trouble sounding out words (decoding)
- Slow reading speed and accuracy (reading fluency)
- Poor comprehension and understanding
- Limited vocabulary and background knowledge
- Trying to read text at too high of a level
- A gap in visual, auditory, or tactile-kinesthetic processing
If your child is having difficulty with reading, there are steps you can take to help them improve their skills.
At Scholar Within, we take a different approach from other programs and schools.
We address the root causes of why kids struggle with reading.
We do short activities that train your visual, auditory, and tactile-kinesthetic systems to work more efficiently.
Our program is both offline and online. We take the best of both worlds.
We give you the tools you need to help your child succeed with reading, even if they’ve always struggled with reading, are dyslexic, have ADHD, have visual processing disorder, have auditory processing disorder (APD), or have other learning challenges.
How Scholar Within’s Reading Program for Struggling Readers Works
Step-by-step, online and offline lessons
Carefully selected online reading passages
Tap-to-read, online read-aloud technology
Take notes offline with graphic organizers
Offline reading fluency training
Spelling and phonics video lessons and tests
Learn to spell with spelling patterns
Offline puzzles and worksheets
Vocabulary and word-attack card games
Offline planning and time-management
activities
Executive function and mind-body activities
Print at home or get materials shipped to you
What grade level is your child?
Select a grade level to learn more about each individualized online reading program:
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woocommerce-reviewsStudent Results
Below are the student averages of elementary grade students using programs and materials designed by Scholar Within’s Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET.
Reading Programs Compared
| Features |  Scholar Within Reading Program | Other Online Reading Programs | Offline Reading Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online and offline activities |  Yes | Some |  |
| Science-based curriculum | Yes | Some | Some |
| Phonics | Yes | Some | Some |
| Reading comprehension | Yes | Some | Some |
| 5 Minute reading fluency training | Yes | | |
| Tap to Read: read-aloud technology | Yes | | |
| Learn to spell with spelling patterns | Yes | | |
| Executive function and planning skills | Yes | | |
| Designed by board certified educational therapist and reading specialist | Yes | | |
| Orton-Gillingham Based | Yes | Some | Some |
Designed by Learning Expert Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET
Bonnie Terry is a board-certified educational therapist and special education teacher with over 35 years of experience. She has helped thousands of students across the globe improve their reading skills, whether they are gifted or have difficulties.
Bonnie Terry has been featured on…
What causes reading challenges and reading difficulties?
When you have trouble with reading, there are typically several areas of either visual, auditory, or tactile-kinesthetic processing that aren’t working as well as they could be.
There are nine areas of visual, auditory, and tactile-kinesthetic processing that affect learning.
Having difficulty in any one area is enough to cause a student to struggle. Having a difficulty in more than one area will create a greater challenge for the student.
These difficulties have nothing to do with intelligence. Students can be very bright and still have difficulty with learning.
The good news is that much can be done about these difficulties. These are learned skills, and they can improve.
How We Learn: The 27 Areas of Processing
What to look for in a reading program for struggling readers:
1. Science-based reading curriculum
There is a science-based proven way for students to be able to read accurately and confidently. All students can become successful readers when they follow a curriculum that is rooted in science.
How Scholar Within does this:
Scholar Within’s curriculum is based on the latest research and science on how people learn to read.
Thousands of students of all abilities, including dyslexia, ADHD, APD, or other learning challenges, have improved their skills in less time and less effort using Scholar Within’s reading curriculum. Read the reviews
2. Decoding skills instruction:
Teaching your child phonics and other decoding skills can help them better understand the sounds and symbols in written language.
How Scholar Within does this:
We do this with phonics video lessons, reading fluency drills, puzzles, card games, and Tap to Read online reading passages.
3. Frequent and focused reading practice:
Your child may benefit from more frequent and focused reading practice to help them build their skills.
How Scholar Within does this:
- Daily reading drills to improve reading speed and accuracy
- Online reading passages with Tap to Read technology
4. Vocabulary instruction:
Building a strong vocabulary can help your child better understand and remember what they read.
How Scholar Within does this:
We do this in two different ways. First, we include grade-appropriate vocabulary in the weekly reading passages. We also do this through vocabulary and word attack card games where your child may have to use the word in a sentence or even give an antonym or synonym of a word.
5. Background knowledge instruction:
Gaps in your child’s knowledge may make it difficult for them to understand what they read. Providing instruction in general knowledge and content-specific topics can help them build the background knowledge they need to comprehend texts.
How Scholar Within does this:
We’ve hand-picked the best reading passages on fun stories, famous inventors, national parks, animals, classic poetry, and things that students should know something about.
6. Texts at the appropriate level:
It is important for your child to have access to texts that are at their reading level, rather than texts that are too difficult.
How Scholar Within does this:
We have reading passages for grades K through 8th grade. You can adjust your level at any time in the program. You’ll want the passages to be challenging, but not frustrating.
7. Multisensory, step-by-step instruction:
When you integrate more than sense (hearing, seeing, and doing), students can learn more efficiently. Struggling readers often have a difficulty in an area of visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), or tactile-kinesthetic (doing) processing. Be sure to do varied reading activities like reading aloud, listening to others read while following along, writing, taking notes, playing games, and more.
How Scholar Within does this:
Multisensory lessons are at the foundation of our reading program.
Our reading passages come alive where students can tap play to listen along and model their fluency or can tap on individual words to hear them aloud.
We teach phonemic awareness and phonics through video lessons where your child will learn the correct sounds of letters and letter combinations through phonic patterns.
Plus, we play card games that get the whole family involved. This program is not just another run-of-the-mill reading program. This is a complete and comprehensive reading and phonics program.
How to start:
You can get started now with Scholar Within’s reading program for struggling readers. You’ll get everything you need to successfully improve your child’s reading skills with step-by-step online and offline activities.
Included in the Program:
- Weekly Reading Selections
- Reading Comprehension Activities and Questions
- Reading Fluency Training Drills
- Phonics and Spelling Video Lessons
- Spelling Worksheets and Puzzles
- Video Instruction
- Graphic Organizer Forms
- Note-Taking Printables
- Executive Function Activities
- Brain-Body Activities
- Card Games
- Daily Emails
- And More!
What to look for if you have a struggling reader
Does your child…
- Take too long to do their assigned work?
- Skip, repeat, or omit words when reading aloud?
- Have difficulty sounding out words?
- Have poor reading comprehension?
- Have trouble following instructions?
- Have trouble finding specific words or items on a page?
- Have trouble remembering sight words, facts, how to spell words, or learning new skills?
- Spends hours doing schoolwork or homework, usually not finishing the assignments in the allotted time?
- Know they have an assignment, but can’t remember what it is?
- Doesn’t understand the directions?
Reserve Your Spot
Not quite ready to sign up? Reserve your spot for Scholar Within’s online reading program.
Reviews from Parents
K Kelley B.
My son and I have tried many reading programs; this one has made the most significant difference. It trains the brain to think of reading and spelling in ways beyond rote memorization. In addition, the reading program is enjoyable and effective. As a result, my son started the school year with increased confidence as a reader, and I feel better prepared to help him with his learning.
V Valerie K.
My child was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and it has been a difficult journey in getting her to develop phonemic awareness skills and reading fluency, among other reading deficits. After enrolling her in Scholar Within’s reading and spelling program over the summer, I have seen the improvement that I’ve been waiting for! I will definitely continue using this program throughout the school year.
J Jennifer A.
Fabulous reading program! We enrolled our daughter over the summer. It was so wonderful we decided to continue using the program during the school year.
E Elizabeth W.
My son was diagnosed as dyslexic at the end of 3rd grade. We did the reading program for a few months over the summer before he started 4th grade. We did a lot of traveling over the summer and had no issue keeping up with the program. My son really enjoyed the word games included. The few times I needed to reach out to customer service they were professional and prompt with their help. By the end of the summer I noticed a huge difference in my son’s reading. The real proof was on his first quarter 4th grade report card, his ELA grade was 95% (he ended 3rd grade with a 62%). This program is amazing, I cannot recommend it enough!
D Dr. Kimberly C.
Great program, even for an older struggling reader with auditory processing disorder and possible dyslexia.
I like the option of switching between grade levels as needed customer service has been fast/useful so far.
K Kathleen B.
After a recent diagnosis of dyslexia, we started our son on this program over the summer. He has taken to it so well and we have already seen such great improvement. We are looking forward to continuing the program year-round!
R Rachelle M.
I have two children who just completed 8 weeks of the reading and spelling program. My oldest is dyslexic and I’ve been looking for a spelling program that is geared towards older kids since she is in 8th grade and many of the other spelling programs we’ve done feel like they are for younger children. My daughter appreciated that the lessons were straightforward in teaching the patterns through sight, sound and writing. Her spelling confidence and ability grew tremendously. My youngest benefited from the Ready Fluency Drills and Reading Comprehension activities. Both enjoyed the games and puzzles. We look forward to continuing with the program into the fall as homeschoolers.
S Sarah S.
This program kept my kids sharp over the summer. Thank you!
M Mary M.
We love the reading and spelling program. My daughter has not only increased her words per minute but also has expanded her comprehension. She is learning valuable note taking strategies and has drastically improved her spelling. She also enjoys the content! We are excited to see her growth.
N Natalie M.
Last summer, my husband and I enrolled our daughters (then entering grade 3 and entering grade 2) in the summer program. This program really helped them with reading comprehension! It gave us as parents the tools we needed to ask the right questions to help them too! Also, the games were really enjoyable! We even played them AFTER the lesson was over for the day. We were very impressed with the variety of activities and tools available with this program. We will be re-enrolling them this summer! Thank you!
A Amy D.
My daughter is begging me to do your reading program again to strengthen her skills. The guides for note-taking and how to pick out important information was only second to the fun activities each day last year. We look forward to seeing what’s in store for this year!
L Lisa G.
Thank you for partnering with me to help my daughters improve their reading skills. They are really enjoying your program and are excited about becoming more confident readers. I am loving it already! I signed up my twin daughters, who are homeschooled.
W Wendi L.
My children took the Scholar Within reading program. I was impressed with how user-friendly and intuitive the program is.
S Sabrina D.
The Monday exercise of reading and taking notes followed with questions on those selections on Wednesday is a really great help for my kids. This lets them work on their comprehension skills. It has made a big difference! The whole program has been a good experience for us. Thank you very much!
N Niiro T.
Even when I’m not sure how to reason/explain to my son about a reading comprehension answer, all I have to do is ask you. You are so good at giving quick replies that are easy for me to tell my son. Thank you!
M Margie K.
My son couldn’t write or spell. Our lives changed when we found your system. It was just what we needed. It was a 100% turnaround! I noticed the improvement immediately, but it became more dramatic as time went on. He came home with smiles. He started liking school. He became a confident learner. In fact, by the time he was in 4th grade, he was at the top of his class.
C Calvin T.
We really loved the program. Thanks so much for all of the neat assignments and games to enhance executive function skills.
S Sky B.
Your videos make it so easy for my kids to actually see and hear how letters and sounds come together to make words. They are improving my kids’ spelling and reading skills. Such a bonus! And, they love playing the games, too.
G Gracie K.
Ma’am, you are a blessing. I am on my 2nd year as a kindergarten teacher and your technique eased my doubts about being effective towards teaching children who have zero spelling and reading skills.
K Kameron F.
Thanks for your help throughout this process. You are so responsive whenever I have a question or concern. I see activities on the different levels for my kids which makes them easy to follow. This has been an awesome experience for our family.
J Jill G.
This program really helped my daughter and we saw a difference in her reading and spelling fairly quickly. Plus, she enjoyed the lessons which, as a parent, is probably the most important thing as she was motivated every day to continue learning.
J Jennifer P.
My son is doing well and shows improvements with the reading drills each day. He is also doing well with all the work that is presented. His overall work is improving too. He’s even able to find spelling errors now. Woohoo!
K Ketul P.
This is great a reading program. My son has really improved his reading comprehension skills. Thank you, Bonnie Terry, for designing such a great course.
D Danielle D.
Scholar Within has been an amazing resource for my 8-year-old twins. It has been great to see how far they have come. They definitely enjoyed how interactive it has been, not just reading. I have recommended this to many of my friends.
C Cynthia B.
I really do like the reading fluency drills. They are making a difference for my son. They are so easy to fit into our day. The thing we didn’t like was all the printing we had to do each week.
C Caroline L.
I enrolled both my sons in the Reading Program this summer. It made such a huge difference for my son who has learning disabilities when we did the program two years ago. His teacher was amazed at the improvement in his fluency and comprehension (going into Grade 5). The team has been so flexible with “pausing” our program for a couple of weeks while we are away on vacation too. Note taking is such a key skill that is not really taught here in Ontario, Canada. I think this course will help my kids not fall behind from missing 3 months of school due to COVID 19. I am a poor substitute teacher, but I have confidence that Bonnie’s system is evidence-based, so I just have to follow instructions. Very glad to be able to access this course for homeschooling this summer!
K Karla C.
I am very grateful for having found Scholar Within. As a homeschooling mom, I am always in search of good materials that fit the needs of my children. Scholar Within has been especially beneficial for my 7th grader, his greatest challenges have been spelling, and clarity while reading out loud. I was amazed at the way in which Scholar Within combines phonics, spelling, and reading comprehension. My son has advanced significantly in these areas since we started using the program. He loves the reading selections and finds them very educative and interesting.
Great program. I highly recommend it to any parent.
R Regina A.
The videos made all the difference in the world. The spelling videos showed me step by step the structure. You really made spelling easy for my kids. I just keep working with the video, the spelling, the way you explain it, they watch it over and over. It really sinks in. Your materials help build their self-esteem up. They’re short quick activities. You can get so much done in half an hour.
W Wendy F.
We are really liking the summer reading program. I appreciate that you moved my daughter’s level to make the program even more effective for her. Thanks so much.
R Rachel C.
This is a comprehensive program that can be implemented at home. I bought 5 folders and labeled them for each day of the week, plus an extra folder to hold copies of extra forms that are used regularly. You need a decent printer, lots of printer paper, and toner (though I hear they are making print material available for a separate purchase soon!). I prepped the whole week every Sunday evening and had the folders ready for my son and his grandmother to work on each day. It can be kind of overwhelming at first to figure out all the assignments and get it all prepped, but it’s worth it. This is a well thought out program with excellent customer service. We had several questions and adjustments throughout our time with the program and always got quick, helpful, personable replies. Unfortunately, my son’s school year has ramped up and we don’t have enough time to fit Scholar Within into his day. We hope to be back to do the program next summer!
M Megan W.
I did find the videos and activities interesting. There was a bit too much printing for me.
C Cathy H.
Jake is doing well and enjoying the program. I’m so pleased with how he has improved and that he likes doing our sessions! Thanks so much!
K Katherine W.
My son’s first drill trend is definitely going in the right direction. His words per minute increased by 17%, and his mistakes decreased, and this is only the first week. I can’t believe he had that much progress already. Thank you for this program and thanks so much for being available for questions, too!
T Tricia L.
Last summer my 3 kids were enrolled in both Scholar Within and another major reading program. Scholar Within had more fun activities and games and really focused on building the underlying skills to really prepare for the upcoming year. The other program didn’t build skills in the same way and was less interactive in my home.
C Christine P.
Your program has so many great things in it. The plan for an excursion was a brilliant idea! We made a trip to the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis and to the Science Museum in St. Louis. I have seen improvements and I have gained insight into how my daughter reads and processes (or lack thereof) the reading assignments. Thank you so very much! The whole-brain approach to improving reading has been very insightful.
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