Question: Hi, Micki. I am hoping you can help me come up with some ways of making tutoring more entertaining. I work with a bright, friendly 10 year old who is really, really bored with the botany part of her science class. She works really hard, and her grades are good, but I feel bad that she is so bored during tutoring. Any ideas for how to make botany more thrilling to a 10 year old?
Thanks!
Science Tutor in IN
Answer: Hi there, Science Tutor - the short answer to your question is ABSOLUTELY! Sorry, I know I'm a bit too excited, but science is one of the few subjects for tutoring that automatically lends itself to fun, hands-on activities.
First, if you are an ITA tutor, check out the resources once you login to your account. There are a ton of cool science experiments for kids, exercises, and activities that will jazz up any tutoring session. Besides botany, there are also experiments and activities for biology, chemistry, astronomy, and a host of other subjects!
Second, look over the lesson plans and homework for the next few weeks (if it is available), and talk to your tutee about what she is currently studying, what she is going to be studying, etc. Then, come up with a few simple experiments that will highlight the botany principles she is studying.
For example, if she is learning about chlorophyll, check out an experiment like this:
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
Is she studying up on plants and watering? Check out this experiment:
http://www.helium.com/items/1608049-plant-science-experiments-for-kids
Is your tutee learning about different plant and flowergroups? Try putting together a plant field guide or a flower press: http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2009/06/make-a-portable-flower-press.html
Is your tutee learning about fungi or growth patterns of other plants? Try putting together a simple herbarium!
The possibilities are endless, so have fun with them - Your tutee will be grateful, and your tutoring will be even more effective!
And, as always, happy tutoring!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Ask Micki: Bounced Check
Question: Hi, Micki, I have a question about an awkward situation that just happened to me. I have been tutoring someone in junior high for about 2 years now. I have always gotten along well with my student, and my student's parents. My student's test results and homework improvement have been excellent, too. Overall a great experience, and never any problems. Until now, that is.
Tonight, I went to cash the check from my student's parents and it bounced. I feel really awkward bringing it up to them, but I need to get paid in order to pay my own bills, etc. I am not sure if they did this on purpose because money is tight, or if they honestly didn't know what would happen. Thoughts or suggestions on how to handle this?
Thanks!
Anonymous in CA
Answer: Hi there, Anonymous. Sorry to hear about the awkward situation. Billing issues can definitely be the not-so-enjoyable part of the tutoring business.
The good news is that chances are it was an honest mistake on the part of your student's/tutee's parents. I am almost 100% certain that they did not mean to give you a bad check, nor did they intend for this awkward billing issue to happen.
I remember way back in my early college years I had switched bank accounts, and accidentally wrote out a check from the wrong account - the one that had been closed. Of course the check didn't go through, I was embarrassed, and I made sure to keep better records in the future. The point is that mistakes happen, and they are usually easier to fix than you may think.
What I would do is discreetly bring up the issue to your tutee's parents while your tutee is out of the room. Mention that there was a problem with the check, and politely ask if there is any way that you could get your tutoring payment again. Make sure to bring tutoring billing records, tutoring log sheets, etc. with you.
They will probably be a bit embarrassed by what happened, and will do what they can to make it right ASAP. Give them the benefit of the doubt. It could have been a simple bank account mixup.
Whatever you do, stay polite, patient, and professional - besides this one billing issue, they sound like dream clients that you want to keep.
Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!
Tonight, I went to cash the check from my student's parents and it bounced. I feel really awkward bringing it up to them, but I need to get paid in order to pay my own bills, etc. I am not sure if they did this on purpose because money is tight, or if they honestly didn't know what would happen. Thoughts or suggestions on how to handle this?
Thanks!
Anonymous in CA
Answer: Hi there, Anonymous. Sorry to hear about the awkward situation. Billing issues can definitely be the not-so-enjoyable part of the tutoring business.
The good news is that chances are it was an honest mistake on the part of your student's/tutee's parents. I am almost 100% certain that they did not mean to give you a bad check, nor did they intend for this awkward billing issue to happen.
I remember way back in my early college years I had switched bank accounts, and accidentally wrote out a check from the wrong account - the one that had been closed. Of course the check didn't go through, I was embarrassed, and I made sure to keep better records in the future. The point is that mistakes happen, and they are usually easier to fix than you may think.
What I would do is discreetly bring up the issue to your tutee's parents while your tutee is out of the room. Mention that there was a problem with the check, and politely ask if there is any way that you could get your tutoring payment again. Make sure to bring tutoring billing records, tutoring log sheets, etc. with you.
They will probably be a bit embarrassed by what happened, and will do what they can to make it right ASAP. Give them the benefit of the doubt. It could have been a simple bank account mixup.
Whatever you do, stay polite, patient, and professional - besides this one billing issue, they sound like dream clients that you want to keep.
Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 8
Hi, everyone. Charlie here with my last peer tutoring tip (and hopefully one that you will never even need).
Tip #8) Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Sometimes, no matter how great of a tutor you are, or how motivated your tutee is, a situation may arise in which you need assistance. Sometimes a tutor and tutee are just not compatible, maybe there is some unresolved awkward tension that won't go away, or maybe there is some other issue that has arisen during tutoring.
Maybe it is a tutee completely refusing to listen to his/her tutor, or exhibiting really inappropriate behavior.
Whatever the case, you may not have to solve the problem yourself. If you have a counselor, teacher, or other administrative professional in charge of the peer tutoring, bring the issue(s) up to him/her and get some advice. Chances are that your supervisor will be able to help get things back on track and find a workable solution to the problem(s) using some different strategies.
If your supervisor isn't able to get the tutoring sessions back on track, he/she may decide that (due to compatibility issues, or any other reason), you and your tutee may not be able to effectively work together. Don't take this personally - some tutors and tutees just do not mesh well.
Whatever happens, stay positive and committed to helping students and peers who need the assistance. Chances are, you won't encounter this type of problem as a peer tutor, but it is always a good idea to be prepared!
Tip #8) Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Sometimes, no matter how great of a tutor you are, or how motivated your tutee is, a situation may arise in which you need assistance. Sometimes a tutor and tutee are just not compatible, maybe there is some unresolved awkward tension that won't go away, or maybe there is some other issue that has arisen during tutoring.
Maybe it is a tutee completely refusing to listen to his/her tutor, or exhibiting really inappropriate behavior.
Whatever the case, you may not have to solve the problem yourself. If you have a counselor, teacher, or other administrative professional in charge of the peer tutoring, bring the issue(s) up to him/her and get some advice. Chances are that your supervisor will be able to help get things back on track and find a workable solution to the problem(s) using some different strategies.
If your supervisor isn't able to get the tutoring sessions back on track, he/she may decide that (due to compatibility issues, or any other reason), you and your tutee may not be able to effectively work together. Don't take this personally - some tutors and tutees just do not mesh well.
Whatever happens, stay positive and committed to helping students and peers who need the assistance. Chances are, you won't encounter this type of problem as a peer tutor, but it is always a good idea to be prepared!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 7
Hi, everyone - Charlie here with peer tutoring tip #7!
Peer tutoring tip #7: Listening the right way.
One of your most important tasks as a successful tutor is to be an effective listener. A tutee's comments going "in one ear, and out the other" is no way to tutor. You need to engage your tutee in effective communication during the tutoring. Listen to your tutee's needs and questions during tutoring to prevent the tutoring session from turning into a lecture/classroom environment.
During tutoring, it is also important to stimulate discussion and let your tutee know that he/she is being listened to during tutoring. Ask questions, provide talking points, and answer any questions your tutee may have. Discussing the material is a great way to tutor, because you will both be working towards a better understanding of the topics at hand. Asking great questions is also a way to help the dialogue and knowledge stick in your tutee's mind so that he/she can replay it and utilize it after the tutoring has ended.
Listening and communicating also helps build tutoring rapport, because you are letting your tutee know that you are interested in his/her success. Good listening will also help you as a tutor gauge your tutee's progress, and build future sessions based on previous knowledge covered (and understood by your tutee) during past tutoring sessions.
As you can see, listening plays a huge role in peer tutoring success!
That's all for now, but stay tuned for peer tutoring tip #8, coming soon!
Peer tutoring tip #7: Listening the right way.
One of your most important tasks as a successful tutor is to be an effective listener. A tutee's comments going "in one ear, and out the other" is no way to tutor. You need to engage your tutee in effective communication during the tutoring. Listen to your tutee's needs and questions during tutoring to prevent the tutoring session from turning into a lecture/classroom environment.
During tutoring, it is also important to stimulate discussion and let your tutee know that he/she is being listened to during tutoring. Ask questions, provide talking points, and answer any questions your tutee may have. Discussing the material is a great way to tutor, because you will both be working towards a better understanding of the topics at hand. Asking great questions is also a way to help the dialogue and knowledge stick in your tutee's mind so that he/she can replay it and utilize it after the tutoring has ended.
Listening and communicating also helps build tutoring rapport, because you are letting your tutee know that you are interested in his/her success. Good listening will also help you as a tutor gauge your tutee's progress, and build future sessions based on previous knowledge covered (and understood by your tutee) during past tutoring sessions.
As you can see, listening plays a huge role in peer tutoring success!
That's all for now, but stay tuned for peer tutoring tip #8, coming soon!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 6
Hi, Charlie again with peer tutoring tip #6!
Tip #6: Pay attention to body language.
Your body language, and the body language of your tutee, are both important (and often overlooked) elements of a tutoring session. If the tutor has open, relaxed body language, it will put the tutee at ease, and make tutoring more effective.
Smile, make eye contact (if your tutee is comfortable with it; some people are not, and that is OK), keep your body language open (no crossed arms or legs), lean in and pay attention to what your tutee is saying and show it with nods, offer hospitable gestures such as a handshake when the tutee arrives for tutoring.
Maintaining open, relaxed, friendly body language will create a comfortable tutoring atmosphere that will make tutoring more effective and enjoyable for both of you.
Keep in mind, too, that although you may do all of these things, some tutees are naturally just more shy and introverted than others, and that is OK. No need to force an introvert to be an extrovert - that's not your job. Your job is to tutor. If you have a shy tutee, give him or her some time to get comfortable with you and the tutoring. It could be that he or she just needs a few tutoring sessions to open up and get more relaxed.
Well, that's all for now. Stay tuned for tip #7, coming soon!
Tip #6: Pay attention to body language.
Your body language, and the body language of your tutee, are both important (and often overlooked) elements of a tutoring session. If the tutor has open, relaxed body language, it will put the tutee at ease, and make tutoring more effective.
Smile, make eye contact (if your tutee is comfortable with it; some people are not, and that is OK), keep your body language open (no crossed arms or legs), lean in and pay attention to what your tutee is saying and show it with nods, offer hospitable gestures such as a handshake when the tutee arrives for tutoring.
Maintaining open, relaxed, friendly body language will create a comfortable tutoring atmosphere that will make tutoring more effective and enjoyable for both of you.
Keep in mind, too, that although you may do all of these things, some tutees are naturally just more shy and introverted than others, and that is OK. No need to force an introvert to be an extrovert - that's not your job. Your job is to tutor. If you have a shy tutee, give him or her some time to get comfortable with you and the tutoring. It could be that he or she just needs a few tutoring sessions to open up and get more relaxed.
Well, that's all for now. Stay tuned for tip #7, coming soon!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 5
Charlie here with tip # 5 for all you peer tutors!
Tip #5: Establish the best tutoring environment.
The tutoring environment and atmosphere is a really important, and often overlooked, aspect of tutoring. As with most tutoring, it is important to establish a casual, quiet, neutral environment for your peer tutoring sessions.
This should be a fairly quiet place free from distractions so that you and your tutee can focus on tutoring instead of your surroundings. Noisy cafeterias or crowded restaurants are especially bad choices since they are not only loud and distracting, but they also offer the hazard of food and drink on the table. One wrong move and your study materials wind up covered in BBQ sauce and iced tea...trust me, I found out the hard way many years ago.
It is also a good idea to try and find a neutral meeting ground where each of you feel comfortable talking, and no one has a territorial advantage. A quiet classroom with side-by-side seating or a private library study room are both great choices for peer tutoring. The main floor of the library may not be a good choice, however, eve though there is plenty of quiet. Why? Because the forced quiet of the library may make conversation difficult. Definitely opt for a private study room instead.
Of course, if your peer tutoring program provides a designated space for the tutoring, that makes your job a bit easier when it comes to finding the perfect tutoring environment. Definitely take advantage of any provided tutoring spaces. Chances are, the tutoring program coordinator already has set up an optimal tutoring setting.
Well, that's it for tip #5, but stay tuned for tip #6, coming soon!
Tip #5: Establish the best tutoring environment.
The tutoring environment and atmosphere is a really important, and often overlooked, aspect of tutoring. As with most tutoring, it is important to establish a casual, quiet, neutral environment for your peer tutoring sessions.
This should be a fairly quiet place free from distractions so that you and your tutee can focus on tutoring instead of your surroundings. Noisy cafeterias or crowded restaurants are especially bad choices since they are not only loud and distracting, but they also offer the hazard of food and drink on the table. One wrong move and your study materials wind up covered in BBQ sauce and iced tea...trust me, I found out the hard way many years ago.
It is also a good idea to try and find a neutral meeting ground where each of you feel comfortable talking, and no one has a territorial advantage. A quiet classroom with side-by-side seating or a private library study room are both great choices for peer tutoring. The main floor of the library may not be a good choice, however, eve though there is plenty of quiet. Why? Because the forced quiet of the library may make conversation difficult. Definitely opt for a private study room instead.
Of course, if your peer tutoring program provides a designated space for the tutoring, that makes your job a bit easier when it comes to finding the perfect tutoring environment. Definitely take advantage of any provided tutoring spaces. Chances are, the tutoring program coordinator already has set up an optimal tutoring setting.
Well, that's it for tip #5, but stay tuned for tip #6, coming soon!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 4
Charlie here, again, with tip 4 for peer tutors!
Tip #4: Don't borrow from your tutee.
Yes, I know, another common sense tip, but, again, you'd be shocked how many peer tutors I have worked with who have borrowed from their peer tutees. Even worse, many of them have forgotten to return the borrowed items.
The thing about peer tutoring is that, as the name suggests, you are working with a peer, maybe even a long time school friend. This can lead to scenarios in which a tutor is so comfortable with the tutee on a friendship level that he/she starts acting more like a friend and less like a tutor.
I knew one tutor who borrowed $1 from his tutee when he peer tutored back in high school. The problem was that the tutor repeatedly forgot to pay the tutee back, the school year came to an end, and the tension between the two of them got so bad that they could not work together over the summer. All that over $1.
Another tutor I know borrowed a CD from his tutee, accidentally left it in the hot car during the tutoring session, and ruined it. The tutee didn't want to say anything, and it led to some awkwardness.
Still another tutor I knew borrowed school supplies from the tutee during every session (pencil lead, erasers, paper, folders, etc.). This made the tutor seem frazzled and disorganized, and he did not get a very good review at the end of the semester.
No matter what the item is, or how much money it is, never borrow from your tutee. Borrowing anything at all can make you look a lot less professional, and could even cause some unwanted tension in the future. Sure, on occasion you may need to quickly borrow a pencil sharpener, or even a pencil, during the session, but make sure to return it, and remember extra pencils/a pencil sharpener for your next session. Be prepared so that you can avoid borrowing anything.
Well, that's it for now. Stay tuned for Tip #5, coming soon!
Tip #4: Don't borrow from your tutee.
Yes, I know, another common sense tip, but, again, you'd be shocked how many peer tutors I have worked with who have borrowed from their peer tutees. Even worse, many of them have forgotten to return the borrowed items.
The thing about peer tutoring is that, as the name suggests, you are working with a peer, maybe even a long time school friend. This can lead to scenarios in which a tutor is so comfortable with the tutee on a friendship level that he/she starts acting more like a friend and less like a tutor.
I knew one tutor who borrowed $1 from his tutee when he peer tutored back in high school. The problem was that the tutor repeatedly forgot to pay the tutee back, the school year came to an end, and the tension between the two of them got so bad that they could not work together over the summer. All that over $1.
Another tutor I know borrowed a CD from his tutee, accidentally left it in the hot car during the tutoring session, and ruined it. The tutee didn't want to say anything, and it led to some awkwardness.
Still another tutor I knew borrowed school supplies from the tutee during every session (pencil lead, erasers, paper, folders, etc.). This made the tutor seem frazzled and disorganized, and he did not get a very good review at the end of the semester.
No matter what the item is, or how much money it is, never borrow from your tutee. Borrowing anything at all can make you look a lot less professional, and could even cause some unwanted tension in the future. Sure, on occasion you may need to quickly borrow a pencil sharpener, or even a pencil, during the session, but make sure to return it, and remember extra pencils/a pencil sharpener for your next session. Be prepared so that you can avoid borrowing anything.
Well, that's it for now. Stay tuned for Tip #5, coming soon!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 3
Hi, Charlie here, again, with peer tutoring tip #3, and this one is all about using your common sense!
Tip #3: Don't Be Late!
I know, common sense, right? But you would be surprised how many people I have known during my years of tutoring who show up 5, 10, even 20 minutes late for their own tutoring sessions.
Tutors who are on time are showing their tutees that they are taking their tutoring duties seriously. Punctual tutors are also showcasing the fact that they are professional, enthusiastic, and eager to help their tutees learn. In contrast, a tutor who is chronically late to tutoring sessions gives the impression that he/she doesn't care enough about the tutee, or the tutoring, to make it to the session on time.
So try to be on time for every one of your tutoring sessions. If you're running late for some unavoidable reason, make sure to let your tutee, or the person in charge of the tutoring sessions (teacher, administrator, etc.), know as soon as possible.
Stay tuned for peer tutoring tip #4!
Tip #3: Don't Be Late!
I know, common sense, right? But you would be surprised how many people I have known during my years of tutoring who show up 5, 10, even 20 minutes late for their own tutoring sessions.
Tutors who are on time are showing their tutees that they are taking their tutoring duties seriously. Punctual tutors are also showcasing the fact that they are professional, enthusiastic, and eager to help their tutees learn. In contrast, a tutor who is chronically late to tutoring sessions gives the impression that he/she doesn't care enough about the tutee, or the tutoring, to make it to the session on time.
So try to be on time for every one of your tutoring sessions. If you're running late for some unavoidable reason, make sure to let your tutee, or the person in charge of the tutoring sessions (teacher, administrator, etc.), know as soon as possible.
Stay tuned for peer tutoring tip #4!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 2
Hi guys, Charlie again with tip #2 of 8 for peer tutors:
Tip #2: Get the Details.
Find out exactly is involved in you being a peer tutor. What are your exact tutor job duties? Will you be helping your peer tutee with in class work? Will you be tutoring the skills needed to improve homework assignments? What type of student will you be tutoring? How is he/she performing in class? Where will you meet to tutor?
It is next to impossible to be a successful tutor if you aren't sure who you are tutoring, where you are tutoring, or what you will be doing.
Ask the person in charge of the tutoring program about the details, get the details from him/her. If all else fails, make a quick appointment to meet with your peer tutee, and get the details for some of the above questions from him/her.
That's it for now; Stay tuned for Peer Tutoring Tip #3!
Tip #2: Get the Details.
Find out exactly is involved in you being a peer tutor. What are your exact tutor job duties? Will you be helping your peer tutee with in class work? Will you be tutoring the skills needed to improve homework assignments? What type of student will you be tutoring? How is he/she performing in class? Where will you meet to tutor?
It is next to impossible to be a successful tutor if you aren't sure who you are tutoring, where you are tutoring, or what you will be doing.
Ask the person in charge of the tutoring program about the details, get the details from him/her. If all else fails, make a quick appointment to meet with your peer tutee, and get the details for some of the above questions from him/her.
That's it for now; Stay tuned for Peer Tutoring Tip #3!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Peer Tutoring: Tip 1
Hi ITA Blog readers, Charlie the tutor here with part 1 of my 8 part tip series for peer tutoring. Why peer tutoring, you ask?
Well, I got the idea from one of my tutees. He's a Sophmore in high school, and has just been asked to be a peer tutor for his school. It's pretty cool that a kid I've been tutoring since he was in the 5th grade is now going to be a tutor himself!
Anyway, he asked me about tips for peer tutors, and I thought it'd be a great idea to share them here, too, for other peer tutors to read. The ideas can be applied to pretty much any peer tutoring situation.
So, without further ado, here is the first (and probably easiest!) tip for peer tutors.
Tip #1: Get to know your tutee.
Talk to your tutee, find out what he/she likes, ask about hobbies and interests, talk about favorite academic subjects, ask about preferred names/nicknames...basically, talk to your tutee the way you would talk to a new friend. Don't get too personal, but do a good job of putting your tutee at ease before tutoring even begins.
Getting to know your tutee on a more casual and personal level can make tutoring a lot more enjoyable and a lot more effective.
That's it for Tip #1 (told you it was an easy one!), but I'll be back tomorrow with tip #2.
Well, I got the idea from one of my tutees. He's a Sophmore in high school, and has just been asked to be a peer tutor for his school. It's pretty cool that a kid I've been tutoring since he was in the 5th grade is now going to be a tutor himself!
Anyway, he asked me about tips for peer tutors, and I thought it'd be a great idea to share them here, too, for other peer tutors to read. The ideas can be applied to pretty much any peer tutoring situation.
So, without further ado, here is the first (and probably easiest!) tip for peer tutors.
Tip #1: Get to know your tutee.
Talk to your tutee, find out what he/she likes, ask about hobbies and interests, talk about favorite academic subjects, ask about preferred names/nicknames...basically, talk to your tutee the way you would talk to a new friend. Don't get too personal, but do a good job of putting your tutee at ease before tutoring even begins.
Getting to know your tutee on a more casual and personal level can make tutoring a lot more enjoyable and a lot more effective.
That's it for Tip #1 (told you it was an easy one!), but I'll be back tomorrow with tip #2.
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