AMK Tutoring Services

Updated Friday, May 9th: Thank you for everyone who participated in my teacher appreciation giveaway! you are the giveaway winner! DM me your email and the email of a colleague of your choice, and I'll send you both a Starbucks gift card!

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To every teacher reading this: THANK YOU. 🍎

Thank you for showing up every day—often early, often exhausted, always giving.

Thank you for making learning joyful, even when resources are limited and the stakes are high.

Thank you for being a steady hand, a kind heart, a problem-solver, and a cheerleader.

You are shaping the future in ways most people will never fully see.

This week—and every week—you deserve to be celebrated. 🎉

✨ To show a little love, I’m giving away a $5 Starbucks gift card to one amazing teacher AND a colleague of their choice 💌☕ because we know no one does this work alone.

Here’s how to enter:

-Follow AMK Tutoring Services and like this post

-Tag an incredible teacher you work with (or admire!) in the comments.

-Share this post to your stories and tag so I see it!

I’ll choose a winner by Friday, May 9th 💛

Thank you for being the everyday heroes in our schools. You are seen. You are appreciated. You are making a difference.

Happy Friday Everyone!

There are many ways to have fun together and keep your child/children learning! These classic games help kids practice counting, adding, comparing, thinking strategically, and building number sense—without even realizing they’re doing math.

What is Number Sense you might ask? 💭

Number sense is a child's understanding of what numbers mean and how they work. Children with good number sense can think flexibly with numbers by estimating, comparing, and solving problems in different ways.

Here are some FUN Math-Centered Games to Build Number Sense:

🍬 Candy Land

~Encourages counting and one-to-one correspondence
~Builds understanding of order, sequencing, and taking turns
~Supports early ideas of number patterns and movement on a number line

🪜 Chutes & Ladders

~Reinforces forward and backward counting
~Introduces concepts like adding/subtracting spaces
~Develops a strong sense of place value on a 100-board

♠️ Deck of Cards

~Great for comparing numbers, adding pairs, or playing "make 10"
~Supports mental math and fact fluency
~Perfect for creating your own math games (e.g., card war, memory match with math facts)

✔ Dominos

~Boosts subitizing (recognizing amounts without counting)
~Encourages addition, comparing quantities, and simple strategies
~Can be used for building equations or matching sums

🎲 Yahtzee

~Promotes adding multiple numbers
~Builds understanding of probability, grouping, and multiples
~Great for developing strategic thinking with number choices

Pull out a favorite this weekend and have some low-pressure learning fun!

✨ Comment below and share your favorite family games! ✨

🏠 Helping at Home: Simple Strategies That Make a BIG Difference

As a parent, your support at home has a powerful impact on your child’s learning. You don’t need to be a teacher—you just need to be present, patient, and encouraging. Whether you’re helping with homework or reading before bed, these small strategies for math and literacy can make a big difference.

✅ Strategy 1: Math – Ask, “How Did You Figure That Out?”

Prompt your child to explain their thinking!

🗣 “Can you show me another way to solve that?”
🗣 “Why do you think that’s the answer?”

This builds deeper number sense and flexible problem-solving—key skills for K–5 math.

✏️ Strategy 2: Writing – Promote Sentence Starters to Restate the Question

When answering questions or writing at home, teach your child to begin their response with part of the question. Your child's teacher will thank you for this as well!

📝 Try sentence starters like:

“The character felt ___ because…”

“I think the main idea is…”

“First, next, then, finally…”

“The answer is ___ because…”

📚 Strategy 3: Reading – Make Bedtime Reading Interactive (Not Exhausting!)

Bedtime is a perfect time to bond over books—but it doesn’t have to be a big task. Keep it light and engaging:

📕 Let your child choose the book!

Ask a quick question after reading:
💬 “What was your favorite part?”
💬 “Did this remind you of any other books you've read?”
💬 "Which character did you like best and why?"
💬 "This nonfiction text was about ___. What did you learn?"

-Take turns reading pages or acting out voices together
-If they’re tired, you do the reading—just listening builds comprehension, too!

🧠 Even 10–15 minutes of reading each night can boost vocabulary, attention, and imagination.

💛 Why Parent Support Matters

When you support your child with calm encouragement—even when things feel hard—you’re helping them build confidence, resilience, and a love of learning. Struggling through something challenging ISN'T a sign of failure; it’s a key part of how children grow. Remind your child: “It’s okay not to get it yet. You’re learning, and I’m here to help.” That kind of support builds problem-solvers who believe in themselves. ❤️

Send a message to learn more

TEACHER PEEPS!!!
Have your kiddos estimate how many "cotton tails" are in the jar! It's such a fun way to sneak in some extra name and number practice! Then, everyone shares their guesses, and you can count all the cotton tails together as a class.
I’ve got the graphics linked below for FREE, so feel free to help yourself!
Graphic-https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Estimation-of-cotton-tailes-13347548
Estimation form-https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-many-cotton-tails-do-you-estimate-are-in-the-jar-form-13347540

Now this is a reading log I can get on board with! 📚 Reading should be fun! 😄

https://premium.educationtothecore.com/resource/monthly-reading-challenges/

Summer will be here before we know it! If you are interested in tutoring sessions 1x per week over the summer, don't wait until June to reach out! Space is limited and spots will be held on a first come first serve basis. Make sure to take a look at my website for updated tutoring options, payments, and policies. Thank you!

AMK Tutoring Services At AMK Tutoring, I offer personalized, data-driven sessions based on each student’s needs. With 11 years of experience and a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction, I provide tailored lessons and ongoing assessments to ensure measurable progress and build confidence. As a National Board Certified

Here’s a great printable to send home next month! ❤

https://premium.educationtothecore.com/resource/monthly-reading-challenges/

This 🙏