MaxScholar - MaxScholar Orton-Gillingham Software Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.



We recently had the opportunity to review the MaxScholar Orton-Gillingham Software from MaxScholar.  This program can be a big help to families with students who are struggling with reading skills due to conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, processing disorders or other learning disabilities.
MaxScholar is based their program on the well-known Orton-Gillingham reading approach and strategy.  The MaxScholar Reading Intervention Program can be used on both computers (PC/laptops) and tablets.

Caty has a comprehension delay in her processing of material, which causes her trouble breaking down words whiles she is reading.  This is something that she has struggled with.  She reads very well.  In fact, she can read above her grade level.  But she does not always understand vocabulary by just reading the words around the word, and she struggles with remembering letter sounds. This has created frustrating learning times for her.
So we started with the MaxReading and she took the pretest. Since this program was created for kindergarten and up, it's important to test student's on the basics and make sure that they understand.  Caty passed through the MaxReading placement test and the program then adjusts to the level that she needs to be starting to work on.
She and I have separate logins.  Under my account, I can get a reading report of what she scored.  Many days she works through her materials on her own.  She is older and this gives her a sense of independence.

MaxScholar does not leave parents in the dark about using the Orton-Gillingham Software.  There are downloadable instruction guides to use the program properly.

There are several tutorials that MaxScholar provides for parents to make sure that you are using the program to the fullest.

Other new programs added to MaxScholar include MaxPlaces.  This allows children to explore throughout the world.

MaxBios introduces kids to historical and cultural individuals from around the world and cultures and careers.

MaxMusic is becoming a favorite of Caty.  She is loving reading musical lyrics from favorite songs.

We have been using MaxReading the most with Caty.  It was created for Kindergarten and up.  Many students will start at the first level, which is MaxPhonics.  There is also a vocabulary program called MaxWords.  When students first login, they will take a placement test.  The MaxScholar program will place the student at the level they need to be at automatically.  It's very important that you do not "help" the student through the placement test, so that the program gets an accurate test of what the student's struggles are.
I have used the paper Orton-Gillingham book system when Caty was first starting to read.  I struggled to keep the lessons together.  I LOVE MaxScholar.  I like the way that lessons are presented.  I literally need to do nothing more than track her progress and watch for areas where she is struggling.  The program grows with your child as they are making improvements in the skills they are struggling with.  I would recommend it even for older students who are struggling and need some extra help.  They are the ones that want to use online material and yet do not want the cartoon characters, because they feel they are too old for that.  MaxScholar has been created to keep the student's attention and not be overwhelming with too much sensory.
We will continue to include MaxScholar Orton-Gillingham Software in Caty's weekly schedule.  She has started to grasp the elements of literature, including the main idea and supporting details.  Her comprehension skills continue to improve, as well as her spelling skills with the use of MaxWords and MaxReading.  The confidence that is she building is perfect as she is approaching her middle school career.
Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew were asked to review MaxScholar Orton-Gillingham Software from MaxScholar.  Click on the link below to see how they used this program in their homes.