Summer camp can be educational and fun. As a certified art teacher and Orton Gillingham educator, I combine these two worlds for a unique summer experience. Each week we will study an artist and create art based on their style. We will then use that art as inspiration to write about. Children will learn how to support their spelling through a dictation process they can use independently. All children will receive individualized phonics based instruction for their own writing and spelling needs. Camp runs from 8:30-10:30 each week listed below Monday through Friday. Sign up for one week or all four.

Note on the week in Spanish: This week is designed for native Spanish speakers and students that have at least one year in a Spanish Immersion program. The expectation is that we will be speaking and writing only in Spanish that week. As an experienced Spanish Immersion teacher, I have many techniques to support students both orally and in their written expression if they do not have a full Spanish vocabulary. If your child does not confidently speak Spanish please choose from the three other options.

Week 1: Children will splatter paint in the style of Jackson Pollock.

Week 2: After researching Frida Kahlo’s portraits, we will create a whole group portrait collage. This week will be all in Spanish.

Week 3: We will analyze the line work of Wassily Kandinsky before creating a large whole group line based collage.

Week 4: After learning about photo composition and lighting in the work of Ansel Adams, we will take nature photos.

Tutoring

     Here at Inspired Instruction I make learning fun while supporting students with their most basic foundational skills. I use an Orton Gillingham Multisensory based approach to target student’s individual needs within small group instruction. My tutoring consists of groups of three to four students that are all working on the same basic skills, whether English phonics and writing, Spanish vocabulary and grammar, addition and subtraction fluency or fractions. Tutoring uses arts integration to support both reading and writing skills.

     Brenda Bokenyi, an Oregon state certified elementary teacher and art teacher, earned her BA in Fine Arts from Brandeis University in 1999. She has more than 20 years of experience as an elementary Spanish Immersion teacher and reading interventionist. She is Orton-Gillingham trained and certified at the Academy Associate Level, continuing to work under the mentorship of a fellow. Additionally, she is trained in Multisensory Math. She is also trained in LETRS, the Science of Reading and is nearing completion of her reading endorsement with the state of Oregon. The combination of her skills as an educator, Spanish fluency and her creative mindset create a unique experience for students.

     Small group tutoring with three or four students is currently available on weekdays after school in North Portland. One on one tutoring is available if a small group is not the best fit for your child. My tutoring sessions are held twice per week. If interested in tutoring, please fill out this Google form. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

FAQ

Where are you located?

We meet in Brenda’s secure, quiet North Portland home near N. Ainsworth and Interstate. 

What do you mean by Multisensory?

I use as many of the senses as possible to support learning. The more senses that are used when learning a task the more the brain is re-wired. This is true for all areas of life. For example, if a person is suffering from depression and wants to work towards feeling better, they can say affirmations to themselves in the mirror. This uses the senses of sight, hearing and speech which helps re-wire the brain more than just reading them or writing them.