The Summer Literacy Lab at Davidson Center is designed for elementary students (rising 1st to 4th graders) who are struggling with reading and performing below grade level.
Whether your child has been formally diagnosed with dyslexia or a language-based learning disability, or simply needs targeted support to catch up on reading skills, our program provides intensive, personalized instruction. We blend structured, evidence-based literacy instruction with a fun, engaging atmosphere, so your child develops stronger reading and writing skills while building confidence and a love of learning.
Our instruction is grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach and the latest science of reading research. We teach phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, and comprehension through hands-on, multi-sensory activities that help all learners.
Science of reading approach – Students receive explicit, systematic phonics instruction rooted in Orton-Gillingham, using decodable text and hands-on practice to strengthen decoding, spelling, and word recognition skills.
Small-group, personalized teaching – Small groups allow tutors to closely target each child’s needs, adjust pacing, and provide frequent, individualized feedback and encouragement.
Reading fluency and comprehension – Daily work with leveled and decodable texts, Reader’s Theater, and vocabulary activities helps students build smoother, more expressive reading and stronger understanding of what they read.
Writing for skill and expression – Students practice sentence-building, paragraph structure, and short creative pieces to improve organization, grammar, and confidence as writers.
Executive function support – Our routines and activities are intentionally designed to support key executive function skills, including working memory (holding and using information while reading and writing), cognitive flexibility (shifting between tasks and strategies), self-control (managing impulses and staying on task), planning and organizing (breaking work into manageable steps and using tools like checklists), and self-monitoring (noticing mistakes, checking work, and reflecting on progress).
Engaging atmosphere – Movement breaks, games, and creative interventions help students connect reading and writing with joy and confidence-building experiences.
✓ Evidence-based instruction
We use the Orton-Gillingham approach and science of reading principles — the most effective approaches for students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Every lesson is structured, explicit, and designed for maximum skill development.
✓ Expert staff
Our instructors are trained literacy and educational professionals who understand how to teach reading to struggling learners. Your child works with dedicated educators who know how to make learning click.
✓ Creative integration
Reading and writing don’t have to be boring! We incorporate Reader’s Theater, creative writing projects, and performance-based learning to keep your child engaged and excited about literacy.
✓ Progress monitoring
We track your child’s progress using DIBELS assessments and share regular updates with families. You’ll see exactly what skills are improving and where we’re focusing our efforts.
Session 1:
June 16 – 18 (Tuesday – Thursday) 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
June 23 – 25 (Tuesday – Thursday) 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
June 30 – July 1 (Tuesday – Wednesday) 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Pricing: $1,920.00 per session
Session 2:
July 7 – 9 (Tuesday – Thursday) 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
July 14 – 16 (Tuesday – Thursday) 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
July 21 – 22 (Tuesday – Wednesday) 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Pricing: $1,920.00 per session
