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Close the Learning Gap with Daily Intensive Instruction

Jun 27, 2019
 
 

A bright and articulate eight-year-old, Jacob shifts uncomfortably in his seat when his teacher announces that the class will take turns reading aloud. “Maybe if I ask to go to the bathroom, I’ll miss my turn,” he thinks.

 

Jacob has an impressive vocabulary, and his teachers frequently tell him how smart he is. But he’s beginning to doubt them. “How smart can I be if I can’t even read?” he asks himself. On frequent mornings, he gets a stomach ache while thinking about facing the school day. When he opens a book, “was” turns into “saw.” And “through” and “though” and “thought” never sound like they’re supposed to. How can a person remember all of that?

 

For Jacob, reading is the hardest thing in the world, and no one seems to know why. His teachers and parents thought that reading would eventually  just “click” on its own. But students with a weakness in symbol imagery, which is the ability to visualize letters and sounds within words, may require remediation or additional explicit reading instruction. Weak symbol imagery causes difficulties in establishing sight words, contextual fluency, and spelling.

 

A few seats over, Emma is able to spell perfectly and decode new words with ease. However, she doesn’t seem to comprehend what she’s read. 

 

Mrs. Jones calls on Emma, who always seems to be a step behind in class, and asks her to read from Chapter 2. “What?” Emma asks. She twists the ends of her blonde ringlets as she waits for Mrs. Jones to repeat her request. It’s not that Emma doesn’t care or isn’t listening in the classroom — for her, directions seem to go in one ear and out the other. Emma reads the words on the page quickly and accurately, but she falls silent when Mrs. Jones asks what she thinks will happen next in the story.

 

For Emma, weak concept imagery—the ability to image a gestalt (whole)—may be the cause of her struggles. Weakness in concept imagery will interfere with reading and listening comprehension, memory, oral vocabulary, critical thinking, and writing.

  

As the critical third grade year continues, Jacob and Emma are likely to fall further and further behind. They may be present in the classroom every day, but they’re both missing out on content, and their self-esteem continues to quietly plummet.

 

At Lindamood-Bell, we believe that all students can be taught to read and comprehend to their potential. We identify strengths and weaknesses that may be affecting school performance, and our instruction is based on an individual’s learning needs. The school year is a great time to address those learning needs. By helping your child develop the underlying foundational skills for reading and comprehension, you’ll ensure that the elements of curriculum-based content aren’t missed because of an inability to decode or comprehend them. 

 

For a student who has fallen behind, the way to close the gap is often intensive instruction. Click here to learn more about how we’re able to make years of gains in weeks of instruction.

 

In this video, one family explains why they chose intensive reading instruction for a struggling child:

 

 

We want to be your partner in education and help make your child’s school year a success. To learn more, contact your local Learning Center

 

Double Bay (02) 9328 7119 | Chatswood (02) 9410 1006

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Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 
We hope your 4th of July is filled with friends, family, and loved ones—enjoy a safe celebration!
🎧 New Podcast Episode! 🎧
In this special episode of Lindamood-Bell Radio, co-founder Nanci Bell reflects on 40 years of transforming learning and literacy, sharing powerful stories and insights from decades of student success.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just curious about our evidence-based approach, this conversation will inspire you.
Listen to Celebrating 40 Years of Learning Transformation with Nanci Bell. 
Tap the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎉 Lindamood-Bell Academy Week starts July 14! 🎉

Celebrate 10 years of Lindamood-Bell Academy, the only school that addresses a student’s underlying learning ability and offers a full curriculum!

📅 Experience it firsthand. Join us July 14–18 for Academy Week at our Learning Centers.

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Another life changed—meet Cyrus! 💫
Reading was a struggle, and school felt overwhelming. His family tried other programs, but nothing worked—until they found Lindamood-Bell.
After a summer of personalized instruction, Cyrus made incredible progress. He’s now reading above grade level and enjoying school again! 📚💪
That’s the difference our evidence-based approach can make.
Want the same for your child?
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Help your child overcome reading challenges with proven support.
At Lindamood-Bell, we provide personalized, evidence-based instruction that targets the root causes of reading difficulties.
From decoding struggles to comprehension gaps and beyond, our latest blog explains the signs to watch for and how our approach can help your child succeed.
📖 New on the blog: Support for Dyslexia and Other Reading Disorders
🔗 Read now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎉 Our Special 40th Anniversary Webinar is now available on demand! 🎥
Join Lindamood-Bell Co-founder Nanci Bell as she shares powerful stories and key insights from 40 years of student success.
Discover how our unique, evidence-based approach has helped thousands overcome learning challenges and unlock their potential.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or student, this inspiring session is one you won’t want to miss.
 👉 Watch now! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Teacher Appreciation Month Continues! 🌟
We're celebrating educators with exclusive savings EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30!

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Use code THANKYOU100 at checkout.

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Lindamood-Bell Summer Instruction helps kids of all ages catch up or get ahead in:
 ✅ Reading
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Live online or in person. Fun, effective, evidence-based instruction.
Proven results for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and more

Enroll by June 13 to get 10% off the first week (minimum applies).
Instruction must be completed by August 22. Hurry, Spots are filling fast!

Tap the link in our bio to learn more and get started, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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📖 New on the blog: What to Consider in an Online School
 🔗 Read now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎉 Join us for a special free webinar celebrating 40 years of student success with Lindamood-Bell Co-founder Nanci Bell!
📅 Wednesday, June 11, 2025
 🕙 10 AM PT | 1 PM ET | 6 PM BST
📍This Zoom event will also stream live on Facebook
Get inspired and learn how our unique, evidence-based approach has transformed lives for four decades.
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Make a Difference This Summer!
Our learning centers are hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding.
✨ Paid training provided!
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