Tutor and Teacher Educational Resources

In this section of our education blog, we give tips for tutors and teachers on how to teach subjects, keep kids passionate, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter (on the left or below on mobile) to get bi-monthly updates in your inbox!

Math Tutoring Tips for Children with Different Learning Styles

Susan Cumberland Published: March 15, 2013 Last Updated Date: May 18, 2023

Math can be a challenging subject for many children. This does not mean that your child is incapable of learning how to do Math. Math Tutors may need to get creative in order to help students with different learning styles, but it can be a fun learning process for the student and the Math Tutor.

Here are some math tutoring tips you can try out in your tutoring sessions with a child:

“Draw Out” Your Math Tutoring Sessions

Visual Learners benefit from working with charts and diagrams and drawing pictures. The perfect way to make Math Tutoring sessions more profitable for visual learners is to let them draw pictures. Using a dry erase board with different colored markers will allow the student to draw as many pictures as necessary until they understand the concept. Math tutors can also make flashcards for students learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables. Consider drawing pictures next to the numbers. For example, instead of writing 5+5 on the front and 10 on the back, add 2 sets of 5 apples next to the numbers with ten apples on the back.

Turn Your Math Tutoring Session into Story Time!

For the Verbal Learner, staring at pages of numbers is a nightmare. Verbal learners benefit from being able to use words to solve problems. The solution is Story Problems! This will take Math Tutors some extra preparation time, but it will be worth it. By turning the plain number problems into story problems you can turn the Math Tutoring session from frustrating to entertaining. When solving the problem, encourage the student to talk through their thought process. Once they solve the problem they can write out their answer using words. This type of learning will be much more meaningful and useful to the verbal learner.

Musical Math Tutoring

For Audio Learners one of the best ways to learn is by turning the subject matter into a song. Again this will take some preparation. Math Tutors don’t need to worry about composing a masterpiece. Just a simple tune to memorize multiplication tables can help the Audio learner keep the facts in their memory. Try using a familiar song like “The Farmer in the Dell and then singing “2 times 2 is 4, 2 times 2 is 4, Heigh-ho, the derry-o 2 times 2 is 4” it is a simple tune and it will help the student remember the equation. Plus it will make the Math Tutoring session a lot of fun.

Turn A Math Tutoring Session into a Pizza Party

The Kinesthetic Learner may struggle to sit still during Math Tutoring sessions. Instead of forcing them to sit still and concentrate on a paper full of Math problems let them do some hands on activities. Using manipulatives is very effective and easy to incorporate into Math learning activities. Use blocks or small objects to demonstrate addition and subtraction. For a division problem such as 15 ÷ 3 = 5) Math tutors can ask the student to gather 15 blocks. then have the student divide the blocks into 3 equal groups so that they can see that there are 5 blocks in each group. When dealing with fractions, rather than looking at a diagram of a pie, why not use an actual pie or a pizza to talk about fractions at the end of your Tutoring Session you can enjoy eating it together!

Try out these Math Tutoring tips during your next Math Tutoring Session. Get creative and come up with your own new ideas. The most important thing is to remember that there are simple things you can adapt to benefit each different learning style and to help each individual student succeed.

A Winning Tutoring Team: Parent, Student and Tutor Collaboration

Susan Cumberland Published: March 1, 2013 Last Updated Date: May 4, 2023

Working together as a team to help your child succeed.

Rather than parents and tutors feeling that they are helpless and unable to do anything to get their children to do their schoolwork they should consider that they are part of a tutoring team. If the Parents, Tutor and Student can work together this will help your child succeed.

1. Communication is the key to making the Tutoring Team work:

The first thing a team does is they get to know one another. Spend some quality time with your child. Talk about things that they enjoy. Encourage your child’s Tutor to also spend the time to get to know your child.

Your child may not understand why they even need to be doing their homework in the first place. Consider having a talk with your child and your child’s tutor to discuss why they need to do homework and how it will help them for the rest of their lives. Much of what we learn comes from repeated practice over time. This will help your child understand why doing homework is important.

2. Establish each member’s role in the Tutoring Team:

Each member of a team plays an important role. A Tutoring Team is no different. There is the need for supportive parents, who care about their child’s success. The student should try their best to work hard and to work with their parents and their tutor. Tutors also play a supporting role to help establish lesson plans that can be adapted to the individual student’s learning styles.

3. Setting Team goals to work toward during Tutoring Sessions:

The next thing a team does is to establish a goal. What are you trying to accomplish as a team? You all are working together so that the student can master the specific skills that they need to learn and be able to advance to the next level. Establish specific goals with specific rewards. Involving your child in this process will help them to take ownership of their schoolwork.

4. Consistency and Keeping up the Moral of the Team: Don’t set your child up to fail

It is important to find ways to help your child succeed at doing schoolwork. Try to set tutoring sessions during a time when your child is the most productive – this could be different for each child. Some children are able to do their homework as soon as they come home from school while others may need some down time to play and release some energy. Others may work better after dinner. As long as you and your tutor are consistent and help your child stick to their scheduled homework and tutoring time- you will see your child is more likely to succeed.

5. Having the Proper Practice (Tutoring) Space and Equipment:

All teams need a place to practice and the proper equipment in order to improve their skills. Make sure that your child and tutor have the space and materials they need for their tutoring sessions. Your child’s Math Tutor may need to use a whiteboard or have access to a CD player or computer. Having the Space and materials can make all the difference!

If you view yourself as part of a Tutoring Team you will be more committed and active in your child’s learning process. When the Team wins a game or when your child starts to improve at school you will feel even more proud because of the part you played to help your child accomplish their goals.

How to help your French Tutor in Vancouver Island, B.C. by encouraging French Learning at Home

Susan Cumberland Published: November 23, 2012 Last Updated Date: June 20, 2023

Learning a language can be difficult for a child if they are only studying it a few hours a week. The best way to learn a language is to be fully immersed in it. If you moved to a French speaking country, your child would pick up the language in no time. However, there are ways to facilitate your child’s learning and help your French tutor in Vancouver Island, B.C. by encouraging French learning at home and in your daily activities.

1. Your French tutor may be teaching your child French songs. Try to learn these with your child so that they can practice the language at home. Singing is one of the best and most ancient ways of memorization. You can even ask your French Tutor to sing more songs to your child so they can grasp the subject easier.

2. If your child is learning about French culture, consider cooking French food with them. Ask your French tutor to spend some time introducing French foods and recipes during the tutoring session. You can also help your child use their French by using the French names for foods you eat regularly like fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, etc.

3. Do role playing activities together. After making a French meal, set up the dining room like a French restaurant. They can write a script with their French tutor. First they can practice being the server, explaining what the food is and how to take the orders. Then they can also practice being the guest and learn the proper way to order their food just as if they were in a restaurant in France. Take this a step further by taking your child to a local French restaurant in Vancouver Island and let them order their meal in French.

4. Play familiar card or number games (using French). Any opportunity to count in French will ingrain the French numbers into your child’s memory. Play games that require counting such as dice or card games. Cribbage is a game that uses counting as well as addition, so they can practice French and Math at the same time.

5. Find children’s books written in French that your child can read with you and with the French Tutor. Try to find a book that your child is already familiar with and that they enjoy reading. Encourage them to read aloud so they can practice their pronunciation.

6. Turn your house into an interactive flash card. Ask your French Tutor to make labels for things around the house such as the window, table, refrigerator, closet, light, etc. and post them around the house so that your child gets used to seeing the French word when they look at the objects.

7. Let your French Tutor know about the subjects that interest your child, so they can use them as conversation ideas during their tutoring sessions.

These are just a few ways you can increase your child’s interest and practice of the French language. You will see improvement in their skills and at the same time they will be enjoying the learning process with you and with your French tutor.

How to Make Math More Fun during Math Tutor Sessions

Susan Cumberland Published: October 14, 2012 Last Updated Date: May 4, 2023

Teaching young kids as a math tutor is one of the most enriching experiences you are going to have. Their innocence and perpetual sense of wonder will warm your heart but their fragile ego and short attention span will make teaching difficult. You might be facing a lot of challenges as a math tutor because it is a subject that tends to get boring without the help of visual aids. Use imagination, creativity and some simple tricks to transform your math tutorials into sessions the kids will look forward to.

Integrate Math tutoring with real life

As a math tutor (whether you are a parent or hired help), tell the kids about the history of math. How mathematics was invented, what are its applications in real life, what were the ancient methods of counting (like the barter system), how math is a part of almost all daily activities and so on. Once children know how the subject relates to real life they will be more interested in learning it.

You can use the daily sports section in your newspaper and relate it to math problems. Calculating winning percentages, baseball scores and batting averages directly out of the newspapers will excite the kids and give them something different to do than solving textbook problems.

Use real coins to teach currency values instead of plastic/cardboard cut outs. Kids love to touch and use “grown up” things, and real money is sure to hold their interest.

Use the names of your students in the math problems. This will make them laugh and then listen carefully. For example, if there is a girl named Daisy in your tutoring sessions, say “Daisy had three chocolates and lost two.”

Give Incentives to motivate while tutoring Math

Foster healthy competition. Arrange informal competitions like “math wiz of the week” for the best performer of the week. You can also announce small treats like candy or marshmallows as prizes for solving an especially difficult problem or asking intelligent questions.

Publicly acknowledge sincere efforts as kids love to be praised. You can also tell their parents about how well their kids are doing in the math tutorials. Kids are generally super-sensitive, so never insult, mock or scold them in public. Treat them with patience and respect and they will fall in love with the subject.

Some work and some play while being a Math tutor

Include recreational activities in your math tutorials. Allow the kids to count with interesting pasta or breakfast cereal. Create a pool of used toys from your friends and neighbors and make the tutoring environment a kid friendly place.

Colorful Lego blocks can be used for teaching shapes, as they are a fun substitute to the textbooks that almost all children hate.

Involve the parents too as good teaching is a team effort. Ask for genuine feedback about the kid’s interest level in math and whether the pupil is more inclined towards the subject after the math tutoring sessions.

Customize your teaching style according to the personality of the student. When talking to a little girl, introduce pink teddy bears or dollhouses in the math problems. Similarly, if a little boy loves hockey, give him an addition problem to solve about hockey sticks. Make mathematics fun for the kids and they will love you as their math tutor!

Great Resources for Tutors on iTunes U for Elementary School Kids

Susan Cumberland Published: October 14, 2012 Last Updated Date: May 23, 2023

Education has always been an indispensable tool for human beings to learn the ways of the world and become enlightened. In this age of information technology, the Internet has become a versatile and omnipotent tool that has completely changed education. Like e-commerce tools, there are e-education tools that have taken over the academic world.

For, instance, the iTunes U courses geared towards elementary education, contain a wealth of information, which can be accessed by both students and teachers alike. The quality of the digital content is incredible. Through these courses, teachers can guide their students on all subjects and on almost on any topic in a much improved manner.

Mathematics, Reading, and Writing Tutoring Tools

Some of the best approaches to help elementary school students with the basic skills of mathematics, reading and writing have been outlined. These courses include:

‘EAD 657: Administration of Instructional Programs’ deals with exploring the evolution and techniques of education models and the efficacy of such models; courses dealing with a string of reading techniques designed by teachers and students;

‘Best practice writing lessons’ has case studies on exemplary writing skills

‘How children think about math’ gives techniques children can adopt to solve mathematical problems, and how teachers can comprehend arithmetic so that they can teach their students in a simple manner. There’s one integral course on how to master different kinds of numbers and learn to use money via simple mathematical games and puzzles.

How to become a good tutor in Vancouver, B.C. using iTunes U

These days, it’s not enough to be an average tutor. A tutor can be called exemplary if they are able to come up with out-of-the-book teaching methodologies to enhance their students’ interest in tutoring. There are course series on iTunes U that focus on tactics to foster a sense of achievement in the classroom, which can also be applied to group tutoring sessions. Some of the course titles are ‘Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education: Resources’, ‘Paradise Valley USD’ and ‘Teacher Development’. These programs also focus on encouraging parents to take an interest in their children’s education. There is a series that also includes: handling special needs students, laws governing the handling of disabled children in classrooms, and following up with review committees.

Recognizing extraordinary opportunities while tutoring special needs students

Tutors can be instrumental in identifying and understanding the developmental peculiarities in different children particularly when they are very young. Courses under this section help the teacher to pinpoint these differences, and to come up with strategies for dealing with diverse learning styles. There is a course titled ‘Exploring children’s difficulties with language and literacy’ that guides teachers as to why a student might have reading and language comprehension problems. Another course offers ideas on how to deal with autistic children.

Being a holistic tutor by teaching about health and hygiene

This section on iTunes U comprises courses that lay emphasis on physical education. The courses, like ‘physical education’ and ‘Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living’ stress the need to develop healthy eating habits. The teachers, through these courses are able to focus on the all-round development of the students at the elementary stages of their education. Since childhood obesity is on the rise everywhere in the world, there is a useful video that points out the importance of physical education, through interactive games.

Integrating technology with education

This section has courses titled ‘Technology Integration’ and ‘TechTalk4Teachers-A podcast for teachers about teaching, learning, and technology’ which cover aspects on how to harness the potential of the latest strides being made in technology for improving the standards of elementary education on an overall basis.

Tutoring ADHD children

Susan Cumberland Published: August 7, 2012 Last Updated Date: June 20, 2023

A majority of the students who come to us for tutoring have some sort of label. ADHD is a common one. Approximately 3-5% of the school aged population suffers from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) according to the Children’s Disabilities Information. ADHD affects the ability to concentrate and retain information. Some signs of ADHD include: careless mistakes, poor listening skills and a lack of attention to detail.

Here are some tips for tutoring ADHD students:

Student should be in a calm environment that is free of distraction. It’s easy to do in a one on one tutoring session. In a classroom with 25-30 kids “calm” is harder to achieve. It’s best for an ADHD student to sit at the front of the class when at school. It’s also best to arrange seating for the ADHD child to be surrounded by calm children. Do not place 2 ADHD children side by side.
When tutoring it is best to teach while doing an action such as building blocks or drawing on a piece of paper. It’s hard for ADHD students to sit still and focus.
When teaching new concepts allow the student to respond orally. It is difficult for ADHD students to slow down to write when they readily know the answer.
ADHD students like to know what will come next. Before you start the lesson give them a checklist of what will be learned that day.

Tutors working with ADHD students should keep a close relationship with the parents. Let the parent know what was covered and what the child is expected to cover between lessons.