What T.A.G. Teaches
What Kids Learn
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TAG's VITAAL-K™ blends the Science of Reading with cognitive athletic movement to help schools increase literacy rates from K–8. Each session follows a four-phase therapeutic model that primes the brain for deep learning, encodes orthographic patterns through rhythmic multisensory drills, and builds automaticity through joyful, embodied repetition. VITAAL-K™ can be implemented in Physical Education, general education, special education, or after-school enrichment programs.
Sample Workout:
Learning the many ways to spell the Long Vowel /A/
Phase One: Neurochemical Activation through HIITT
This student with ADHD is blending structured literacy with rhythmic, athletic movement to regulate attention, strengthen memory, and accelerate decoding.
Kids are wired to move — and at TAG, we make that their superpower! Through fun, full-body brain workouts, we teach them to say, spell, and remember all the phonics they need to learn to read.
Phase One: Neurochemical Activation through HIITT
Phase Two: Filling the phonological files through
Rhythmic Encoding
Phase Three: Retrieval and Transfer
Word Level Spelling and Reading
Phase Three: Retrieval and Transfer
Word Level Spelling and Reading
Phase Three: Retrieval and Transfer
Word Level Spelling and Reading
Phase Four: Mastery through Movement
More Spelling and Reading
Review
Review: 7 days between lessons
Review: The Next Day
Applying Spelling to Reading
Applying Spelling to Decoding "Desist"
Embedding Spellings of Long E
Training the Working Memory
Oral Analytical Spelling
Program Format for Schools
We offer flexible implementation models to meet your school’s needs:
Onsite Coaching:
Certified TAG coaches work directly with students in small groups or 1:1
Virtual T.A.G.
The Academic Gym Online Academy with real-time feedback and structured routines
Staff Training & Certification
Equip your educators with TAG strategies and ongoing support
Curriculum Bundles
Standards-aligned kits for Tier 2/Tier 3 intervention and inclusive classrooms
Easy to use Science of Reading Tools
Exciting, engaging visual, interactive, tactile kinesthetic tools that all teachers can use
Outcomes and Impact
Schools that implement VITAAL-K™ will experience:
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📚 Increased decoding and fluency scores
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🎯 Improved attention and emotional regulation
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💬 Higher engagement from reluctant readers
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✅ Alignment with MTSS, RTI, and IEP goals
Who does TAG help?
TAG helps all students who learn differently—especially those with:
• ADHD: who benefit from physical activation and structured engagement
• Dyslexia: who need explicit, multisensory instruction to build decoding skills
• Executive Function Challenges: who struggle with attention, working memory, and task initiation
• Language-Based Learning Differences: who require repetition, movement, and visual scaffolds
Why It Works:
• Movement regulates attention and emotion
• Multisensory input strengthens memory and mastery
• Structured routines reduce cognitive overload
• Students feel seen, supported, and successful
TAG is Movement with Meaning
Watch these students get excited about literacy as they blend athletics with the science of reading.
Partnership Pathways
We collaborate with:
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Public, charter, and private schools
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Specialized learning centers
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Districts seeking scalable literacy solutions
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Educators pursuing certification in movement-based instruction
Support Includes:
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Custom onboarding and training
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Ongoing coaching and fidelity checks
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Access to digital resources and family engagement tools
Partner with The Academic Gym to bring our multi-sensory structured literacy program to your school and watch literacy rates increase as even your most challenged learners develop confidence, focus, and fluency.
Professional Development for T.A.G.
The Academic Gym offers professional development that shows educators how to use multisensory learning to help all students develop confidence, focus, and fluency. T.A.G. can be implemented in Phys Ed, regular, special ed, or afterschool classes. We offer PD for P.E., Special Ed., Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language instructors.
T.A.G. Cross Trains the Body and the Brain
T.A.G. Steps to Success
Step One:
• Active Whole-Body Learning
• Stimulates the brain
• Enhances memorization
• Motivates kids to learn
• Turns fear into excitement
Step Two:
• Multisensory learning
• Enhances memorization
• Motivates kids to learn
Step Three:
• Application
• Spelling
• Writing
• Vocabulary
• Reading
Step Four:
• Mastery learning through
structured workbooks
• Spelling Practice
• Writing Practice
• Vocabulary Practice
Step Five:
• Constant Progress
• Achievement
• Confidence
• Excellence
• Rewards
Phonemic Manipulation, syllabic spelling, and alphabetic awareness for MTSS
Pre-School T.A.G.
When our students hear sounds, we want them to see sequences of letters; and when they see sequences of letters, we want them to hear sounds.
Movement Based Literacy for Neurodiverse Learners
TAG VITAAL-K™ in Action
Overview
TAG VITAAL-K Coaching™ delivers the science of reading through rhythmic, full-body routines that activate cognitive, emotional, and linguistic systems simultaneously. Each workout is a structured progression through TAG’s four-phase therapeutic model, designed to optimize brain chemistry, encode orthographic patterns, and build mastery through movement.
Phase One: Neurochemical Activation through HIITT
Students begin by engaging in High-Intensity Interval TAG Techniques (HIITT)—short, rhythmic bursts of movement that stimulate the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and BDNF. These neurochemicals are essential for attention, motivation, and memory consolidation. This phase primes the brain for deep learning while regulating arousal and executive function.
Phase Two: Filling the Phonological Files through Rhythmic Encoding
In this phase, students merge movement with meaning. Through choreographed routines, they encode syllabic and phonemic spelling sequences into their phonological and orthographic lexicons. These multisensory drills build a mental dictionary of syllabic sounds and spelling sequences, enabling rapid decoding and sight word acquisition. Our goal is to embed spellings and sounds into the head so that they can be read.
This is where TAG VITAAL-K™ shines—by accelerating orthographic mapping through joyful, embodied repetition. TAG facilitates rapid word recognition through rhythmic athletic repetition.
Phase Three: Retrieval and Transfer
Students then practice retrieving stored spelling patterns to decode and spell unfamiliar words. This phase emphasizes flexible application, helping learners transfer their embodied knowledge to real reading and writing tasks.
TAG VITAAL-K™ supports this transfer by reinforcing the neural pathways between sound, symbol, and meaning. TAG anchors orthographic memory in movement.
Phase Four: Mastery through Movement
To solidify mastery, students revisit target spellings through HIITT-based review cycles. These high-energy repetitions are synchronized with syllabic spellings and sounds, ensuring automaticity and long-term retention.
This final phase completes the TAG VITAAL-K™ loop—transforming literacy instruction into a dynamic, brain-priming experience.
Parent's testimonial about her son's amazing turnaround
Finding Coach V. and enrolling in T.AG. has been an absolute game changer for my son and for our family! In the matter of just a few months and even in only the beginning stages of the curriculum he’s managed to take a frustrated, ADHD “labeled” low confidence boy and turn him into a thriving student. Rather than confine him to a seat and expect him to learn, this movement based program fires up his brain and allows him to naturally and strategically re-map language, phonics and spelling skills in his mind. He codes, downloads and retrieves information and it’s just amazing to witness. Coach V’s caliber of teaching, confidence building and ease of interaction with young minds is unparalleled. My son has just started 6th grade and was tested and told he was reading at a 4th grade level. He was also a COVID Chromebook home learner who missed the fundamentals of reading in 2nd grade. T.A.G. has turned everything around for him! He WANTS to spell, create new words, attach new meanings and excel because he feels confident about his ability to learn for the first time in his life. He’s gone from failing all his classes first quarter to passing them all the second. His attention and focus are growing as is his ability to self regulate. I can’t wait to see how he continues to grow and thrive through the year. I am no longer the worried, frustrated mom looking for “accommodations” for her son. I can now be the proud and excited mom who gets to watch her son live his full potential. THANK YOU!
J.Ortiz