A-Grade Tutoring

Benefits Of Tutoring
The secret of winning is ‘deliberate practice,’ where an expert coach takes you through well-designed training over months or years, and you give it your full concentration.

– Daniel Goleman, Focus: The Hidden Driver Of Excellence
Tutoring is the most efficient and effective way for a student to learn.
Benefits Of Tutoring
The benefits of tutoring are numerous. They stem primarily from the unmatched feedback and individual attention students receive.

During a tutoring session, a student receives instantaneous feedback from their tutor at every stage. Tutors provide insights on everything from how well students approach problems to whether they have gaps in their knowledge. A tutor can coach a student on how to simplify a complex task, saving not only time but confusion and frustration. A tutor can also identify the reasons for a student’s mistakes and help the student correct them immediately.

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Without a tutor, the student may continue taking the long way, or worse yet, the wrong way. There is a risk of reinforcing misconceptions when taking the do-it-yourself approach.

Relying solely on in-class instruction can also be precarious. In large classrooms, direct interaction between student and teacher is rare. Students can easily lose focus, and, unfortunately, often do. Fortunately, one-on-one tutoring sessions make it easy for students to stay focused. It’s just them and the tutor working together; it is an active and engaging process, free of distraction.

Better grades, better test scores, and beyond
The obvious benefits of tutoring include improved grades and test scores. But the benefits go well beyond those superficial measures, as the case study below demonstrates.

Amanda’s Success Story: Amanda was a hard working student who had been committing at least 5 hours per week to her SAT prep. In the first 5 weeks that we worked together, we saw little progress, as measured by her stagnant practice test scores. But I knew she was learning new material and building relevant knowledge for the test. There was a disconnect between her knowledge and her test scores.
This disparity is routine for a seasoned tutor. At this point, it was obvious that Amanda needed more than just practice. She needed coaching on The Art of Test Taking. After a few targeted questions I was able to identify a quirk in her thought process. Her mind was becoming bored easily; even while we talked her eyes and mind would wander, searching for some more potent stimulus. I explained my observation to her, and instructed her to overcome boredom by using her imagination to stimulate her mind while performing the dull task of SAT prep. Five weeks later her SAT score improved by 260 points.

Clearly, the benefits of tutoring for Amanda went well beyond the SAT. She now has a tool to get her mind more fully engaged in any dry but necessary task. She has refined her ability to focus, which will pay dividends throughout her life.

The benefits of tutoring can be short-term and targeted or long-term and far-reaching. Is tutoring right for your son or daughter?

Tutoring offers a unique and individualized learning experience. Where else can you get that? Yes in the
classroom sometimes, but that’s hard with 30 other students wanting and needing attention. Teachers are awesome, but sometimes kids may need a little bit more one-on-one time outside of the classroom, and tutoring is great for that! Tutors can customize the lessons and activities just for the student.

2. Tutoring can help battle the summer slide. Ever heard of the summer slide? It refers to a learning loss over the summer months. Usually kids are not practicing their skills in the summer, leading to sliding back a few months of learning. Tutoring can help students not fall behind and be ready for the next school year. Check out these articles on the summer slide:

Stopping The Summer Slide
Know The Facts
Keeping Kids Off the Summer Slide
On Summer Loss
3. Tutoring provides a space free of distractions. There are no other students around to be a distraction. It’s just a special space for the student and tutor to focus on learning. Some tutors use their home for tutoring, while others may use the library or the student’s home.

4. It provides more time for practice. Some kids just need more practice, as well as guided practice. If they are practicing their skills in the wrong way and getting wrong answers, they may become even more frustrated. Practicing together with a tutor can really be beneficial.

5. Tutoring allows the student to make progress at his/her own pace. Nothing is timed, there are no tests, and nothing is rushed. Students can review skills and learn new ones at a comfortable pace. Students can have just a few sessions, or have more long term tutoring over a year.

6. It provides review of skills that haven’t been mastered yet. Some students may not have mastered certain skills after the allotted time in the classroom. With tutoring, any skill can be reviewed and practiced so that the student doesn’t fall behind.

7. Tutoring can increase good study habits. Study skills don’t always come quickly or naturally; they have to be learned. A tutor can focus time on study skills – how to take notes, how to make flash cards and study them, play review games, highlight important details, etc. More one-on-one time with practicing study skills can be a life-long benefit!

8. Tutoring can improve grades. More focused practice time and review might just be what it takes to make that C to a B or A.

9. Tutoring can improve a student’s attitude about learning or school in general. Some kids may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, or just not motivated with learning. Tutoring can help make learning more fun, and show things in a different way. Consistent one-on-one praise and encouragement can do wonders for a student’s attitude.

10. Tutoring can provide more challenges for gifted students. Most people think of tutoring as only beneficial for students falling behind. Students who are excelling and are getting bored in class because they need more of a challenge will benefit from tutoring also! Tutors can offer customized lessons and practice that really challenge the student.

HOW DOES TUTORING HELP STUDENTS?
There are many reasons parents choose tutoring for their children. Some parents feel unable to help their children with schoolwork. Others may find their children are more receptive to working through school struggles with another person. Tutoring can help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.

Tutoring gives students individualized attention that they don’t get in a crowded classroom. This helps children who struggle to keep up, as well as those who aren’t challenged enough. It also keeps students on track during breaks from school, such as during March Break, or during the summer.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TUTORING?
Tutoring programs can help your child develop study and learning skills that will help set up your child for success for his or her entire life. There are many advantages of tutoring services:

Individual and unique learning experience

Your child will receive an individualized learning experience he or she can’t always get in a classroom setting. Tutors can customize the lessons and activities just for your child.

One-on-one attention

Tutors get to know your child’s individual learning style and can adapt teaching methods accordingly. They act as your child’s own private teacher.

Improves academic performance

Tutoring will prepare your child for tests and exams, while tutors work with your child on specific problem areas. Your child’s grades and understanding of the subject will significantly improve when working with a tutor.

Improves attitude towards learning and school

Learning will become fun for your child. With constant encouragement and praise, your child will no longer feel overwhelmed or frustrated with school.

Encourages self-paced and self-directed learning

With tutoring, your child will learn to take the initiative his or her school work. Your child will also learn how to control the learning pace.

Improves self-esteem and confidence

Your child’s self-esteem and confidence will increase through tutoring, by providing him or her with the resources and skills he or she needs to excel in school.

Improves work and study habits

Through tutoring, your child will learn work and study habits he or she will use for life. These skills will help prepare your child to successfully achieve his or her goals both inside and outside of school.

Positive work space

Tutoring provides an environment free of distractions, with fewer students and disruptions around so your child is better able to focus on learning.

Encourages independence and responsibility

Your child will gain the ability to do school work on his or her own, without your help. Your child will realize his or her own personal growth and will learn to take responsibilities for his or her studies.

Helps overcome learning obstacles

Your child’s tutor will specifically target whichever aspect of learning he or she is having troubles with, whether it’s writing, math, language, or reading.

Encourages the freedom to ask questions

At school, your child may not always feel comfortable asking questions in front of his or her peers. Tutoring will help teach your child to be comfortable asking questions, big or small, without feeling self-conscious.

Improves social and behavioural skills

Tutoring services will help your child become a better communicator, form better relationships with peers, and make more positive social and behavioural adjustments.

Increases ability to manage one’s learning

Your child will become more competent in his or her learning and more successful in managing his or her school work.

Challenges those who need it

Tutoring helps bored or under-stimulated children reach their full potential.

Prepares your child for college

Students heading off to college will learn how to create study plans, develop advanced study skills, and learn superior time management skills. There are numerous benefits of tutoring in college, including reinforcement of existing knowledge and gaining a better understanding of a field of study.

6 Signs Your Child Needs a Tutor
When is it time to look for outside help? Watch out for these factors, which will determine whether your kid needs a tutor.

By Mali Anderson

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When children have increased studies and busy family schedules, individual teaching can be a tremendously productive addition to a child's studies. "One-on-one attention from a tutor can do wonders for even a typical learner," says Laura Goldblatt, a licensed teacher in the continuing education program at Marlboro College in Marlboro, Vermont. Although some children do well with a helpful teacher at school and an active parent at home, others can benefit from extra help; below are examples of such situations. Seeking a tutor to circumvent falling grades can build academic success in the future, and your child will enjoy school more as a result.

Slipping Grades
If you believe that your child can do better than he did on his latest report card, or if you've noticed a gradual or sudden decline in his test scores, communicate with his teacher about your concerns. The teacher can point out concepts your child is having difficulty with; if your child is good at math but has difficulty with reading, he may have a harder time understanding a math worksheet with a story problem. A teacher can also note when your child's attention has been drifting, which can indicate that your child has not mastered a topic or lacks focus. Once you've pinpointed the problem area or areas, you can take action to improve his grades again.

Not Managing Time Well
If your child puts off projects and postpone homework, she may not be able to keep up as workloads increase. Although an occasional delay can be expected, consistent procrastination can be a sign of a larger issue, especially if a child ignores repeated reminders. "A parent's intuition is a powerful thing when it comes to [her] child's education," says Joe Morgan, CEO of Noodle Education (noodle.org), a website that helps parents find tutoring and educational opportunities. "If you notice your child struggling, be it [with] a specific subject or a time management issue, or if you suspect there might be a learning disability, there are professionals who can help and parents can be proactive seeking that assistance," he says. Hiring a tutor can assist your child to improve study habits, cultivate self-motivation, and keep pace with upcoming assignments and tests.

Being Consistently Confused
Sometimes a child is underperforming because he simply doesn't understand the homework. If he is repeatedly puzzled by certain concepts, he may not be keeping up with grade-level expectations. It can be difficult to discern if your child is confused because the curriculum concepts aren't clear or if he simply wants to avoid work. But if your child repeatedly expresses anxiety about a test and is defensive when you try to help, a tutor can help him comprehend each subject at the current level to ensure grade advancement.

Lacking Confidence
It is natural to be uncertain when learning a new concept, but it is not constructive when a child is told she isn't smart enough to do well in school. If your child is feeling blue and saying she can't keep up, her impulse may be to run and hide rather than ask for help. "When you notice your child getting stuck on certain skills over time, or if your child...would feel great about being a little more confident, [she] could benefit from a tutor," Goldblatt says. When tutoring is successful, a child will become self-assured and have newfound confidence, which may lead to participation in the classroom.

Decreasing Parental Supervision
When parents take on additional commitments outside of the family, it may be impossible to maintain the same level of homework help they had been providing their child. Also, as a child ages and his workload increases, this could require blocks of study time too large to fit into a family schedule. And sometimes the concepts covered in school or the manner in which they are taught may not be familiar to parents. In any case, it is not always possible for a parent to manage a child's homework. Tutors can help ease scheduling conflicts within a household. "If you know you aren't going to have time or energy to help kids with a difficult project, or just plain homework over time, a tutor can be a good idea," Goldblatt says.

Learning Disabilities
Tutoring sessions are also beneficial for children who have been diagnosed with a learning disorder, such as ADHD, dyslexia, or a visual processing problem. Kids with learning disabilities often have to work harder than their peers to stay on the same academic track. Fortunately, there are tutors who are experienced in teaching children with disabilities, and they can give these children the time and attention needed to master subjects and establish study habits. A specialized tutor can present information in a way that's easier for a child with a learning disability to understand, which can then make school less difficult and more enjoyable.

An interesting article. A little old but still relevant.
Does your child need a tutor?
To tutor, or not to tutor? When kids struggle at school, a little tutoring is often the first line of defence. But is it always the best?
BY DIANE PETERS | NOV 10, 2008

Joshua just wasn’t learning. The 12-year-old was getting help with his reading at Oxford Learning Halifax, a tutoring agency, a few afternoons a week. But he still wasn’t progressing at school. He seemed lethargic and uninterested in his work. Then he went for a routine checkup and the doctor ordered tests which revealed that he had type 1 diabetes. As soon as he got treatment, Joshua suddenly started making leaps both in his tutoring sessions and at school.

Parents often turn to tutoring as a first resort when their child’s grades start to slip. In fact, one-third of Canadian parents with children aged five to 24 have hired a tutor, according to a 2007 Canadian Council on Learning survey. Often, sitting down with someone one-on-one can help a child with school work. But if a child has an undiagnosed medical condition, learning disability, social or behavioural problem, or just not enough time for homework, tutoring may not help — at least, not on its own. “You need to find the problem. Without knowing what the issue is, you can’t fix it,” says Lorelei Burgess, centre director for Oxford Learning Halifax.

With that in mind, read on for some issues to consider before lining up a tutor for your child.

It’s OK to be OK
Be mindful of your child’s age and grade. If he’s in kindergarten, grade one or two, there’s still plenty of time for him to pick up basics like reading, writing and math. Cherie Carter, a special education teacher in Toronto, says parents should let younger kids learn at their own pace, and wait until grade three before hiring extra help. Michael Gabert, a long-time teacher and tutor from Kitchener, Ont., agrees. “We need to let kids be kids.”

Next, assess your own agenda. If your child is getting a C, it means he’s meeting the curriculum expectations, and maybe that’s good enough. Tutoring is not intended to turn everyone into a straight-A student. Before pushing him to pull up his grades, consider the potential downside: frustration, loss of interest in school, and possibly even worse marks.

Call the doctor
If your child is old enough and his marks really do need a boost, explore whether he has a health problem working against his grades. Poor hearing or eyesight can affect how a child learns in class, especially when it comes to following verbal instructions or seeing material on the board. If he’s had a lot of ear infections, or others in the family have hearing problems, get his hearing tested. Eye tests should also be up to date, especially if both you and your partner wear glasses.

Or your child may simply be too tired or too hungry to learn. Skipping breakfast or not eating enough before an early hockey practice can jeopardize her morning lessons. If she’s very busy or not sleeping well, she might be dozing off mid-afternoon and missing important content in class.

Consider learning problems
If your child has persistent problems with reading or math, and just doesn’t seem to get it no matter how much you review with him, talk to the school about assessing whether he has a learning disability. If he does, tutoring won’t do much. “Many parents are under the impression that more tutoring is going to help. It does the reverse,” says Carter. Few tutors are trained to deal with learning disabilities, and spending a lot of time on a challenging subject can frustrate a learner. Instead, talk to the school about increasing his special education time or trying new teaching strategies.

Take feelings into account
It’s not always obvious, but issues with friends, conflict with a teacher or sadness related to a divorce or death in the family can impact on kids’ school performance. Carter says that children suffering from low self-esteem or anxiety — often as a result of social problems — might not answer questions on tests because they’re so afraid of being wrong. To suss out whether social or emotional problems may be interfering with school, take note of everything in your child’s world, from the recent loss of a pet to a sudden lack of phone calls from friends. And speak to his teacher — there may be some dynamic in the classroom that’s causing him anxiety. These problems are not easy to solve, and definitely not the domain of an academic tutor. Talking to your child and his teacher or getting the school counsellor involved is a more logical way to start.

Time crunch
Even the healthiest, most confident kid might be stumbling in school if he has no time for homework. Most students should be spending 10 minutes per grade per day on homework, says Barbara Kennedy, executive director of Sylvan Learning in Vancouver. If a child is overscheduled, she might not have the time or energy to sit down with math or reading each evening. Plus, parents play a big role in homework success: Your child needs you there to encourage and coach her through the tough stuff. Unless the subject matter is far beyond your comprehension, help her out: It’s free and it brings you closer to her and her academic life. “Homework time is a good opportunity to see how kids are doing,” says Kennedy.

Get extra help
Identifying and dealing with such problems may help your child get back into the groove at school. But if he’s fallen behind, particularly in a cumulative subject like math, it may still be prudent to call a tutor, at least temporarily. “You’ve still got to get them caught up with what they’ve missed,” says Burgess.

When to call a pro
You’ve ruled out any health, emotional or learning problems and your child’s grades are still sliding. Here are some clues that it’s time for a tutor:

Your child…
• avoids going to school by faking illness or skipping class
• takes much more time than he should to complete his homework
• tells you he doesn’t have any homework
• acts out at school and at home
• falls farther and farther behind in cumulative subjects like math
• struggles to keep up during a transition period (moving from primary to middle, or middle to high school)