Summary
This tutoring resource is designed to provide personalized academic support based on the student’s current needs in a specific course, such as math or English Language Arts (ELA). This resource focuses on clarifying content-related questions, evaluating the student’s current learning strategies, and collaboratively developing effective approaches to improve understanding and performance. Students are encouraged to bring assignments or questions to guide the session.
Session Objectives
Clarify the student’s content-specific questions related to the assignment or course
Identify the student’s current approach to the task and evaluate its effectiveness.
Co-construct or introduce a learning strategy tailored to the assignment.
Model the strategy and guide the student through its application.
Materials List
Tutoring Facilitator's Guide (attached; one per session)
Guiding Notes
This resource is meant to be repeated for each tutoring session with a student. Each session should focus on the current needs of the student in the course or subject they are being tutored in. Students should bring assignments, problems, or questions to each tutoring session.
Start Session
45 Minute(s)
Check-in with student and ask about any successes they had in the past week.
Celebrate small successes to boost confidence.
Ask student how the use of the strategy from the last session is going. Inquire about current grades, quizzes, or tests. Ask:
What is the focus of today’s tutoring session?
Record the information on the attached Tutoring Facilitator’s Guide.
Strategy
Step 1: Assess the student’s current approach to the assignment or task. Ask:
How do you usually solve this type of problem?
Determine if the current strategy is effective or needs improvement.
Step 2: If needed, co-create a new strategy with the student.
Incorporate effective elements from the student’s current approach.
Introduce structured strategies:
Map out what needs to be solved
Analyze the problem using examples
Take action to solve it
Have a look back to check the answer
Record what strategy was introduced or created on the Tutoring Facilitator’s Guide.
Step 3: Model the strategy step-by-step.
Check for understanding by having the student explain it back.
Provide guided practice using the student’s actual assignments.
Offer scaffolding and gradually reduce support.
Step 4: Encourage the student to apply the strategy independently in class.
Discuss how and when to use the strategy on quizzes, tests, and homework.
Reinforce the idea that the strategy is a tool for future learning, not just the current task.
Questions
Ask: Do you have any questions before we end today’s session?
Next Steps
Encourage the student to practice their strategy on their assignments, quizzes, and tests.
Remind the student to bring any assignment, questions, or topic to work on for the next session.
Remind student to ask for help when needed and to celebrate their successes but also to be patient with themselves as they are learning new strategies and topics.
Use the attached Tutoring Facilitator’s Guide to record the following:
Strategies taught.
Student progress.
Observations about engagement and independence.
Reflect on what worked and what could be improved in future sessions
Follow-Up Activities
For the student’s last tutoring session revisit their goals using: Tutoring Tool Kit: Review Goals
Research Rationale
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.-b). Enhancing Academic Performance Through Strategic After-School Tutoring. K20 LEARN. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/literature-review/4858
K20 Center. (n.d.-c). Tutoring Toolkit: Goal Review. K20 LEARN.https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/educator-resource/4952
