LS Tutors has offered tutoring services for more than 15 years. Every summer my staff and I have conversations with parents about the merits of tutoring during the break from school. We have identified four types of students who benefit from summer tutoring. Read more to find out if your student is a prime candidate for tutoring in the coming months:
- The student who is performing below grade level-A teacher has expressed concerns that your child is performing below grade level expectations in math or reading. Teachers use formative assessments throughout the year to track student progress. By the end of the school, if these assessments show your child continuing to struggle with grade level curriculum, summer tutoring is an excellent option. One-on-one sessions during the summer can be specifically tailored to meet goals for a student. Without the added pressure of homework or class assignments/tests, a tutor can work at the appropriate pace over the summer to help a student master material that was missed during the school year.
- The student who is transitioning to a new school– If your student will transition from elementary to middle or middle to high school, summer is a perfect time to work on organization, test-taking and note-taking study skills. Oftentimes, these “life skills” are not directly taught in a classroom. However, they are the most important for smooth transitions and success in the classroom at any grade level. Using the summer time has proven optimal to explore organizational tips, practice note-taking and test-taking skills without the pressure of adding onto the homework load of the school year. Students work with a tutor to determine how they learn and how to take ownership over their school work. If a student is changing from private to public or vice versa, a tutor can work with your child to fill in curriculum gaps that may occur from one school setting to another.
- The student who is anxious about the next school year– Tutors can work with students over the summer in order to preview material that will be taught in the upcoming first semester. This reinforcement helps anxious students start school with a boost of confidence and an added sense of preparedness.
- The student who is studying for a standardized test or has to complete summer assignments for school- If you have a high school student, it’s never too early to prepare for the ACT or SAT’s. Summer provides a relaxed time to explore testing options, practice tests and get feedback from a tutor. Also, if your child has summer assignments and cannot self motivate to complete them while sitting at the pool, tutors offer a more structured time to help students complete summer work in a timely stress-free manner.
Summer also offers great opportunities for authentic learning experiences. Use “Ah Ha moments” during break to engage in meaningful lessons together. For example, “It is 10:30am, we are going to the beach at 2:00pm. How much time do we have to get ready?” Having students at any age keep a summer journal is a great way to practice writing skills. And make sure to keep reading! Read together, at the pool during adult swim, in a tent with a flashlight in the backyard, on the plane ride to your vacation spot…be creative! There are also many workbooks and free websites for math and reading comprehension practice available. Be sure to ask us or your school for resources if you need them!
If you know a student who could benefit from summer tutoring, contact us today to get started!
Regards,
Lori Solovey
Owner