Ask Micki: Yes or No?

© sxc.hu/ba1969

Question: Hey, Micki, I need a quick answer to a question about prizes and tutoring rewards.  I tutor kids in English, mostly elementary school students in grammar, spelling, etc. 

Since most of my tutees are under the age of 11, they are still excited about stickers, pencils, toys, etc.  I was thinking that it may be a good idea to implement some prizes or rewards for my young tutees, but my friend said that you should never bribe kids.

Help!
Alan from PA

Answer: Hey there, Alan, thanks for the question.  First of all, I have to say, that even as a full grown woman, I still love stickers, pencils, and toys, so you are never too old for the fun stuff - it never goes out of style!

Second, little prizes and rewards for your young tutees are definitely not the same thing as a bribe.  A bribe, in the spirit of the word, is a way of controlling another person (typically making him or her going against his or her ethical beliefs) by promising money or goods. 

Providing prizes, on the other hand, is a way of rewarding great behavior, good study habits, and enthusiastic learning.  In other words, prizes are similar to a raise at work, or a medal for winning a competition - they act as rewards, and help enforce good behavior. Nothing wrong with that!

Ask Micki: Free or cheap math tutoring supplies?

© RAWKU5

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a quick question for you. I have just started tutoring really recently, as in a few days ago, and I was wondering if you could help me figure out what supplies to get.

I tutor math to elementary school children, and I am looking for some fun math supplies to get that will make tutoring a little more exciting for my tutees. 

The thing is, I am also on an extremely tight budget.  I'm a single mom to 2 kids, and don't have much expendable income after bills, food, and everyday life expenses.

Any ideas that won't cost anything, but will be fun (and educational) for my little math tutees?
Thanks for your help, Micki,
Angie (ITA tutor from CA) 

Answer: Hi, Angie! Good for you, wanting to make math more fun for the kids while still teaching them what they need to know - your tutees will love you for it! 

The good news is, it doesn't have to cost a fortune to have fun math learning tools on hand for your tutees.  In fact, it can range from free to only a few cents in printing costs.

Your first stop should be right here at ITA!
Check out the resources that we have just for math tutors:
http://www.scribd.com/collections/2907423/Mathematics

Some of these will obviously be a bit out of range for your elementary school math needs, but a lot of them will work great for your tutees.  Best of all, they are free!

There are also some free resources out there for math tutors that can be found online.  Head to your favorite search engine, type in, "printable free math resources," "printable math tutor worksheets free" or something along those lines, and take your pick of some good resources for math tutors.  A word of caution: the majority of these resources will be for personal use only.  In other words, you can't reproduce these and sell them, claim them as your own, etc.  But they should be just fine for what you will be using them for - tutoring your math tutees. 

Last but not least, don't overlook your own creativity! Try your hand at making paper (or clay) pizzas and pies for fraction work, colorful worksheets for addition, fun little quizzes for subtraction, math games, flashcards, etc.  Get creative, keep it colorful, have fun, and ask about what types of things your tutee kids would like to see (Dinosaurs, Cowboys, Sharks, Horses, etc.).  Not sure what age your own children are, but if they are about the same age as your tutees, try running some ideas past them. 

Good luck, and stop by when you get a chance to let us know how things worked out for you!

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Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/RAWKU5

Field Notes: Math Flashcards

When I found this blog, I knew that I had to write a quick post to sing the praises of flash cards for tutoring math - they are phenomenal, and my tutees and I love it when we use them.

Why?
Easy! They are easy to personalize, can be changed based on my student's math level at the time, and are economical enough that I have a set of math flash cards for every student I tutor. 

So how do I use them, and do they work?
Well, first let me tell you a little about my tutees - I tutor math to 2nd-5th grade kids.  Not exactly a thrilled bunch when it comes to doing math problems.  I knew I needed something more entertaining than their math class books and practice assignments.

So, I talked to each kid I tutored, and figured out some of his or her interests.  Then, I personalized each set of flashcards with pictures and stickers of their favorite subjects.  One of my tutees loves horses, so her flashcards are horse themed. 

Of course, all of the flash cards also reflect the level of math tutoring that we are working on at the time.  Using the horse flashcards as an example: my tutee is working on multiplication and division.  So, along with pictures and stickers of horses, each card features a multiplication problem or a division problem.  Putting the flashcards couldn't be any easier, and my tutees really seem to enjoy them.

I have also noticed some positive changes since I began using these flashcards a few months ago.  My tutees became a lot more interested in math tutoring, and their grades improved.  It's been great for all of us, and I even earned a nickname from one of my students - "The Flashcard Lady." :)

Ask Micki: Ideas for rewards?

© D. Sharon Pruitt

Question: Hi. I was wondering if you have any ideas for rewards? I'd like to give some incentives to my young students, and I would also like to give some kind of rewards to their parents.

My students are mostly between about 6-9 years old.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Micki,
Helen

Answer: Hi, there, Helen.  How great that you want to provide rewards and incentives to your tutees and the parents - very nice!

Tutee rewards can provide a great incentive for young tutees to keep up with their work and pay attention during sessions.  They get excited about earning rewards, and it can give your tutees an exciting goal to strive for through the week or month.  

On a business level, rewards for parents are also a good idea.  By providing incentives for parents, you will likely be ensuring that you have happy, repeat customers who are willing to recommend you to friends and family. 

That said, there will definitely be a pretty big difference in the types of incentives you provide.  Here are a few ideas:

Kids

1. Pencils, pens, and erasers are always a hit with kids.  Always.  Just make sure they are fun.  No one wants a plain ole' boring #2 yellow pencil.  Pick up some scented erasers, colorful pencils, or crazy pens to give to your tutees.  The more fun they are the better!

2. Stickers - Most kids cannot have enough of them! (Check out my blog posting all about these popular little rewards)  Crazy shapes, scented, sparkly - pretty much any kind of stickers will be a hit!

3. Games and books are also a good choice for rewards.  Now, obviously, since these rewards will be a bit more expensive, they will be higher level rewards.  However, if your students are willing to "save up points" or wait a little longer for a reward, games and books can be great incentives. 

Parents/Guardians

1. Offer a free session for a certain number of paid sessions.  You have probably seen those reward cards at coffee houses and other retail establishments.  Why not take the idea into the realm of tutoring?  For example, you can print out a punch card that reads, "For every 11 paid tutoring sessions, the 12th tutoring session is free!"

2. Discounts for time packages are always a hit with parents and guardians.  Instead of charging, for example, $45/hour, offer parents/guardians a $35/hour rate if they agree to have you tutor for at least 30 hours.  They will be happy at the $300 savings, and you will be happy with the repeat business!  Just make sure to get something in writing so that you can all keep track of the hours tutored, and so that you all have a copy of the agreement. 

3. Offer discounts for referrals.  If, for example, your tutee's parent refers a friend to your tutoring service, give your tutee's parent 20% off of future tutoring sessions.  Something like that is always appreciated. 

Stick with these basic ideas, or build off of them and come up with some customized ideas of your own.  I guarantee your tutees and their parents/guardians will be thrilled!

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Photo Credit: © D. Sharon Pruitt
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/dspruitt

Field Notes: Science experiments

I wanted to stop by and share one of my small collections of science experiments for kids. 

Science experiments are a wonderful way for kids to learn all about scientific principles and the world around them during tutoring.  These great experiments are fun, simple, and teach your tutee about the wonders of the interplay of forces.

1. The Impossible Bridge:
What you'll need:
3 plastic cups/glasses (make sure these are a heavy plastic for the best effect!)
A sheet of paper (I usually use paper from the printer)

Step One: Place 2 of the cups about 6 inches apart and lay the sheet of paper across them to form a flat bridge.  Put the third cup on the paper bridge.  What happens?
Step Two: Now take the sheet of paper and lay it in folds lengthwise, like you are making a paper fan or an accordion.  By the time you are done folding the paper, you should have several, small peaks that look like upside down "V" shapes from the front
(Like this: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\). 
Step Three: Lay the folded paper across the cups again.  Now place the third cup on the folded paper bridge.  What happens this time?

Why does it work?
Flat surfaces are always able to hold less weight, and resist less pressure and stress, than vertical surfaces.  So, when the paper is laid flat, it immediately gives way to the weight of the cup.  However, when the paper is folded, the weight of the cup is distributed evenly along the sloping vertical surfaces, making the bridge much more stable and a lot stronger. 

2. Stunt Ball:
What you'll need:
A clear jar
A marble (or small bouncing ball)

Step One: Put the marble on a table. Place the jar upside down over the marble, then tell your friend that you can easily carry the marble around the room with you, without even turning the jar over first.  Sound impossible?  Believe it or not, you can carry the marble in the upside down jar!
Step Two:  Start moving the jar in small rotating motions, so that the marble begins to spin along the inside walls of the jar.  As long as you keep moving the jar in a circular motion, the marble will continue to spin fast enough to "stick" to the interior walls of the jar as it moves.  You can then carry around the marble, even though the jar is still upside down!

Why does it work?
This experiment is all about centrifugal force.  As the jar rotates, the centrifugal force presses the marble against the inner walls of the jar, and keeps it from falling out of the open, upside down jar!

3. Twirling Egg:
What you'll need:
2 eggs - 1 raw and 1 hard boiled

Step One: Spin the raw egg first.  It will only spin slightly, mostly rocking back and forth before it topples over.
Step Two: Now spin the hard boiled egg.  What happens this time?  The cooked egg will not only continue to spin, but will stand upright like a top.

Why does it work?
The yolk is heavier than the white of the egg, so (thanks to centrifugal force) the yolk will roll to the side when you spin the raw egg.  This breaks up the spinning action and makes the raw egg rock more than it twirls.  The cooked egg, on the other hand, has a solid center of gravity that sits lower (towards the wider part of the egg), making it not only spin more smoothly, but also stay upright. 

4. Coin Traveling:
What you'll need:
3 coins (I like to use quarters for this trick)

Step One: Lay the 3 coins on a table, making sure that they are in a straight line.  Only 2 of the coins should be touching, while the third coin should be a few inches back from the group, towards you.
Step Two: Press down hard on the middle coin, and give the coin closest to you (the one away from the group) a solid flick so that it hits the middle coin.  The force of the strike should travel through the middle (pressed down) coin, and cause the third coin to shoot away from the group. 

Why does it work?
Believe it or not, solid bodies, in this case coins, have a lot of elasticity.  When the coins collide, they are instantaneously compressed, but spring back to their original shape just as quickly.  As this occurs, the impact from the coin striking the middle quarter is transferred to the third coin, causing it to shoot away from the other coins. 

- G.M., enthusiastic tutor from NYC

Field Notes: Keeping my 8 year old tutee motivated.

When I saw the new field notes category, I couldn't help but be excited about posting something! 

What I want to share with all of you fellow tutors out there is a sure fire way to keep kids motivated while tutoring.  It has been working well for me for years.

Not only does this motivational technique work during tutoring, but it also keeps my tutee enthusiastic and on track in between tutoring sessions. 

The answer for me: charts and prizes.

Whenever I tutor my 8 year old tutee, we make sure to mark it on her chart with a little star sticker.  I carry the star stickers with me to every tutoring session, and I leave 4 charts - one for each week - with her mom.  I also leave a sheet of star stickers with my tutee's mom.

Whenever my tutee does the "in between" work (a worksheet that I leave for her to finish), her mom gives her chart another star.  She also gets a star for every book she reads in between our tutoring sessions (I tutor her in reading).  She can get up to 5 stars every week.

Then, she can "cash in" her chart for prizes at the end of the week, or collect them until she has a bunch of stars.  If my tutee has 5 stars, she can get a scented pencil, for 10 stars she can get a set of scented erasers, and so on.  Right now my tutee is saving up all of her stars in order to cash them in for a $10 gift certificate.

She has a lot of fun earning stars, and it definitely keeps her motivated to keep up with the learning!

Becca C., MN

Ask Micki: How to Spark Math Enthusiasm.

© thegnome54

Question: Hi, Micki. I am working with a really great young kid who is just starting out in the world of mathematics.

We have just started working on the basics of addition and subtraction, but my tutee is kind of losing focus and excitement.  I think he's finding this a little tougher than it was at first, and his enthusiasm is waning a little.

Any idea how I can add some spark to the tutoring sessions, and make boring addition and subtraction more entertaining?

This will be his first year of school, and I am trying to get him started off on the right foot without boring him in the process - Thanks!
Pete W., WI

Answer: Hey, Pete, thanks for the great question! It's nice to know that there are tutors like you out there who are willing to go the extra mile to make math fun for kids!

The really good news is that addition and subtraction can both be made much more fun, for both you and your young tutee, by adding a few colorful games and puzzles into the mix. 

For example, maybe you can cut out some of his favorite shapes and work with those to physically show the results of adding and subtracting numbers.  If he loves dinosaurs, cut out 10 Triceratops, 10 T-Rex, 10 Pterodactyl, 10 Stegosaurus, 10 Plesiosaur...you get the idea.  Then, you two can take some time adding together each of the dinosaur types.

If we take away two Stegosauruses, how many do we have left?
Or: If we add three T-Rexes to five Triceratops, how many dinosaurs are there total?

You can also reach for some dice to add a gaming element to the math tutoring.  Dice have numbers (a necessity for adding and subtracting!), they are fun to roll, and (thanks to the dynamics of rolling the dice) they offer you an ever changing array of math possibilities.

Another popular method is to put together games and worksheets that look like tests or homework, but much more fun.  Brighten up boring black and white equations with some stickers and pictures.  Make up fun scenarios about why these equations have to be worked out - one tutor I knew created a whole scenario about a time machine, and how working out 10 equations would allow the time machine to take the tutee anywhere in time he wanted to go.

These fun versions of tests and homework sheets are also good, because they will help your tutee get used to the format of the tests and homework sheets he will see in school for the next several years.

And don't forget to check out the ITA resources for some addition and subtraction games that are sure to add some zest to your math tutoring!

Good luck and happy tutoring!
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Photo credits: © sxc.hu/thegnome54
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/thegnome54

Ask Micki: Stickers or no stickers?

Question:  Okay, Micki, my friend (also a tutor) and I are having a friendly debate about something, and we thought we'd ask you to make the final call!

I tutor mostly first and second grade kids in language, history, and French.  I hand out short worksheets to the kids when I tutor them so that they can keep up with the work, and so that they can stay practiced in between tutoring sessions. 

When I get them back, if the tutee has done a great job, the paper gets a smiley face sticker.  I loved stickers as a kid, so I assumed my kid tutees would like them as well.  They always seem excited to see the happy face sticker smiling up at them, signaling a job well done.

My friend (who tutors high school students), on the other hand, thinks that first and second graders are too old to like stickers, and that I should just write "good job" on the paper instead. 

Please, Micki, settle this once and for all!

Thank you,
Fiona in Seattle

Answer: NOT like stickers?! Blasphemy! :)

All joking aside, I am in my mid 30s and I *still* love stickers, as do the kids I tutor.  There's just something great about a bright spot of cheery color on an otherwise drab worksheet that makes you feel that the job you did was extra well done. 

Sometimes, I've even been known to go for stickers other than the happy face - dinosaurs, flowers, space themed stickers, and underwater life all seem to be winners.

That being said, if you do encounter a kid who is "too cool" for stickers, write something positive on his or her paper instead.  Save the sticker for the kid who really enjoys it!

Hope I was able to help - Happy tutoring!
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Photo Credit: jaylopez©
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/jaylopez

Ask Micki: Summer Tutoring

Question: Hello, Micki. I'm tutoring a 2nd grade kid in reading, and her parents have asked that I continue to tutor her once a week throughout the summer.  The thing is, right now we work with her school worksheets and homework.  Any ideas how we can stay on track during the summertime?

Thank you for the help!
Maricel from MN

Answer: Hi Maricel, thanks for the question - with summer coming up soon, I'm sure your question will help a lot of tutors out there who are wondering the same thing!

First of all, that is great news that the parents of your tutee have asked you to stay on during the summer months.  Not only is it a great professional tutoring opportunity for you, but it is an excellent way to keep your tutee on track (and give her a head start) for the next school year. 

Even better news: reading is one of those tutoring subjects that naturally lends itself to extracurricular work.  Get some fun, exciting books for the two of you to read together. 

Look into summer reading programs at your local library - I always loved those as a kid, and I felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I got my "Gold Medal Reading Award" for reading 50 books.  I was ecstatic!

If there isn't anything available locally, you can also set something up yourself.  Keep track of books your tutee reads, ask your tutee to give you short reports of what she has read, and have prizes on hand for when she meets certain goals. 

Last, but certainly not least, check out the resource page on the ITA site for some fun reading and language activities for kids.  There are a bunch of them on there, and it is always good to have a few surprise activities to keep things interesting.

Have fun and, as always, happy tutoring!

Tips from Charlie: Learning Tools

I used to think that tutoring was all about using my own knowledge and my tutee's textbook.

Then I started tutoring younger kids and it changed the way I tutored forever.

Kids can be great to work with.  They are enthusiastic (most of the time), are honest about what they do and don't know, and have a very different way of learning...they also, like myself, have shorter attention spans than most grown adults!

I started realizing that my tutoring sessions with kids were just not as exciting and full of zest as they could be.  So, I sat down and did some thinking.  What did I respond to at a younger age? What bored me?  What got me enthusiastic about learning?

The answer, as it turns out, was using learning tools during our tutoring sessions.

Learning tools can turn a drab tutoring session into an exciting learning opportunity!

I used simple experiments to tutor the concepts of electricity and chemistry.  I brought games and activities that showcased the exciting world of math.  I dug out my old microscope and brought simple slides to go over biology concepts and make them more interesting.

In other words, any tutoring tool I could get my hands on (that related to the subjects I tutored), I brought with me to tutoring sessions.

The results were amazing, and I noticed that not only was I getting more excited learners, but I was getting happier parents.  One mom told me that I was the only person who had managed to get her son excited about science.  He had hated the subject before our tutoring had started.

An unexpected benefit to this new technique were the referrals I was getting from other parents.  I was known as the fun tutor who could actually get kids to learn boring subjects.  I was honored, and thrilled to have the "title."

So, if you are looking for a way to spice up your sessions, thrill parents, and garner referrals, look no further than tutoring and learning tools!

~ Charlie