One-on-one online reading tutoring · Grades K–6

Every child can learn to read

Sisu Reading helps K–6 students who guess at words, avoid reading, or are not making the progress their families expected. Hanna teaches reading skills directly and step by step, then gives each child the guided practice they need.

  • Grades K–6
  • One teacher, one student
  • 40-minute sessions
  • Usually 2–3 times a week
A child absorbed in a book outdoors at sunset
The goal: accurate reading, useful strategies, and confidence built on real progress.

01 What families notice

Reading feels harder than it should.

Many struggling readers are bright, curious, and working very hard. Difficulty with reading is not a measure of effort or intelligence.

  • Your child looks at the first letter and guesses the rest.
  • They can recite familiar books but struggle with a new page.
  • Reading homework brings stalling, frustration, or tears.
  • They say they are “bad at reading” or try to avoid it.
  • You have been told to wait, but you are not seeing enough progress.

Your child may need a different kind of instruction. Structured literacy teaches sounds, spelling patterns, and reading strategies explicitly, in a planned sequence. Students are shown what to do and given time to practice it.

02 How tutoring works

A clear starting point. A steady plan.

Instruction follows a consistent process, while the content is adjusted to your child’s current skills and pace.

Find the starting point

An initial assessment shows which skills are secure, which are developing, and where instruction should begin. Tutoring starts with what your child needs—not with a grade-level assumption.

Teach and practice

In each 40-minute session, Hanna reviews previous learning, teaches a new skill directly, and guides your child through reading, spelling, and writing practice.

Build independence

Skills are revisited and applied in real text. Hanna tracks what is becoming secure and uses that information to choose the next instructional step.

03 Is Sisu a good fit?

The right support should fit the reader.

Sisu is designed for focused, interactive reading instruction—not passive screen time or general homework help.

Sisu may be a good fit if your child…

  • is in kindergarten through sixth grade
  • needs direct help with decoding, spelling, or fluency
  • can participate online with an adult nearby when needed
  • can attend consistent recurring sessions

A different resource may be better if you need…

  • a formal dyslexia or learning-disability diagnosis
  • speech-language, occupational, or behavioral therapy
  • drop-in homework help or occasional test preparation
  • support outside the K–6 reading focus

Not sure? That is what the consultation is for. Hanna will ask about your child, explain what Sisu can provide, and tell you honestly if another kind of support would make more sense.

Hanna Erickson, founder and teacher at Sisu Reading

04 Your child’s teacher

Every session is taught by Hanna.

Sisu Reading is a small tutoring practice, not a matching platform. The person you speak with is the person who assesses, plans for, and teaches your child.

Hanna Erickson holds a Master’s degree in education and has experience in classroom teaching, cognitive coaching, and structured literacy. Her lessons combine explicit instruction with calm routines, immediate feedback, and encouragement grounded in what a child is learning to do.

Master’s in Education Structured Literacy Cognitive Coaching K–6 Focus
Learn more about Hanna

05 Tuition and schedule

Simple pricing. Consistent practice.

Sessions are $50 for 40 minutes. Most students attend two or three times each week so new learning is practiced often enough to become secure.

See tuition and policies
2 sessions per week about $400 in a four-week month
3 sessions per week about $600 in a four-week month

Families reserve the same recurring times. The consultation comes first, and Hanna explains the assessment, schedule, and policies before you decide to enroll.

06 Why the name Sisu

si·su

/ˈsee·soo/ noun, Finnish

  1. Quiet, stubborn determination in the face of long odds.
  2. Courage that keeps going after the first try fails.
  3. The thing your child has been showing you all along.

Children who struggle with reading are rarely short on effort. They need instruction that is clear, patient, and responsive. The name is a reminder that perseverance matters—but children should not have to persevere without a plan.

07 The first step

Tell Hanna what reading looks like right now.

Share what you are noticing, what your child has already tried, and what you hope will change. Hanna will reply to arrange a consultation and help you decide whether Sisu is the right next step.

Request a consultation
Request a consultation