So I’m a junior in high school and I have to tutor a 6th grader at my school. My first day is tomorrow and I have absolutely no idea what to do. I’m going to be tutoring in English and also helping with time management skills. though I love English and would consider myself a pretty decent writer, I have 0 social skills and don’t even know how to talk to people in my own grade let alone kids 5 years younger.
what do I do and what do I say?!!?
I think it would be easier to talk to kids 5 years younger.
I think the first thing I would have in mind is to try to get a feel for what the issues are for both English and time management .
Try to figure out how to help without doing the work for them.
One technique would be for them to read anything they write aloud. That helps writers find mistakes in grammar.
Also often in 6 grade they would be taught techniques for writing…find out what those are from the student and then make them use them.
First see if it’s possible for their teacher to give you hints on what the student most needs help with. If that doesn’t work, just have them show you their current homework and try to understand what they do and don’t understand.
For time management, see if your library has the book, “That crumpled paper was due last week.” It’s a good book explaining how to help kids (the title says boys but girls can get disorganized too) who need help getting their school work done on time.
Any time I tutor, I start with the current work. You’ll get a lot more from a kid once he starts to see some results. So start with tonight’s homework. Do NOT do his homework for him, but help him catch his mistakes.
If he has no homework, go over today’s class notes… make sure they’re well organized, complet, and that he understands them.
Look at his organization system. Does he have an English folder…real,or electronic? Does he make full use of a calendar and/or a calendar app. When’s his next test and what’s on it?
Does he have spelling or vocabulary to memorize? Show him how to use flash cards or quizlet.
It would have been nice to spell “complete” completely.
Sorry… I was on my Ipad and study hall was just about to end, lol.