Paragraphs from Pictures
While tutoring or teaching we try to make things stick for our student. Finding ways for lessons to sink in is often the hardest part of preparation. Utilizing a student’s creativity is one method to help the lesson stick.
Sometimes, while writing, we get into the habit [Read on...]
Using Real World Materials
Save weather maps, reports, and temperature listings. Read over the material with the student. Ask the student questions such as: “If you live in Pittsburgh , should you wear a sweater today?” “Should you carry an umbrella in Kansas City?” “Will you go swimming in Minneapolis?”
Save greeting cards. Make up a scenario and have the student choose an appropriate card. [Read on...]
Are you Sure that’s the Letter E?
Letters can look very different depending on the typeface used. To help the learner recognize letters in a different kind of type, select examples of different styles of a letter from magazines or newspapers. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of paper. Make a separate sheet for each letter. As an alternative, ask the learner to find [Read on...]
Making Predictions
You can use predictions to engage a learner in the reading task and enable the learner to become an active participant in the learning. Here’s how:
Ask the learner to make predictions at the following points: 1. The beginning of the reading (“Read the title. What do you think the story will be about?”), 2. During the reading (“Do you think [Read on...]
Response Journals
Response journals require the students to write about what they felt while reading a book or listening to a story. Response Journals record student feelings, responses, and reactions to reading texts. This strategy encourages students to think deeply about the materials they read and to relate this information to their prior knowledge and experiences. This interaction between reader and text [Read on...]
Asking Questions
Asking questions is an essential part of teaching, but how long do you wait for answers? According to a study cited in “Questions, Anyone?” by Sheryl Slocum, most teachers allow about one second for students to respond. The study stated that waiting three seconds for answers to questions will almost always bring longer answers that show more thought.
It is important [Read on...]
Homework
Homework should be using well understood skills. Homework is NOT to teach. It is to develop learning habits, and provide reinforcement.
Homework Ideas:
• Finish class work
• Memorize a poem, the states, the presidents
• Study
• Handwriting
• Write in a journal or write an essay
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Read aloud
• Read silently
Homework should be fun while reinforcing already learned facts and skills.
Some Examples:
Word [Read on...]
Tutor Strategies that Work
In this new year of 2005 we wanted to remind you of a few of the important strategies you are probably using as a tutor and ask you to re-commit to providing the best learning environment possible for your student.
Set a purpose for the lesson. Tell the student what he/she is going to learn before you begin. “We are going [Read on...]
How do You Know They Really Understand?
Tutor: “Wow. You read that really well. Did you understand it?”
Student: “Yes, I think so.”
Tutor: “Great! Now you are ready for the test tomorrow.”
A lot of talk is made about comprehension being the main goal of reading. While this is true, the question becomes how tutors know when a student does or does not understand. The answer is.with practice. Practice [Read on...]
Tips on Answering Multiple Choice Questions
Project Read is using a new assessment (the Test of Adult Basic Education or TABE). This is a multiple choice test, and many of our students have never before taken or are unfamiliar with the strategies used to take a multiple choice test. As such, we are providing the following tips that you can share with your students so they [Read on...]
