Summary
This tutoring resource is designed to provide personalized academic support to students based on their current needs in a specific course, such as math or English Language Arts. This resource focuses on clarifying content-related questions, evaluating the student’s current learning strategies, and collaborating with the student to develop effective approaches to improve their understanding and performance. Students are encouraged to bring assignments or questions to guide each tutoring 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 document (attached; one per session)
Guiding Notes
This resource is intended to be repeated during 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)
Begin the session by asking the student about the successes they had in the past week. Celebrate small successes in order to boost the student’s confidence.
Ask the students about their use of the strategy from the last session. Inquire about the student’s current grades, quizzes, or tests. Ask the student, “What is the focus of today’s tutoring session?”
Record information from this conversation in 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?” Assess the strategy they are currently using and determine if it is effective or needs improvement.
Step 2
Co-create a new strategy with the student depending on their needs. Incorporate effective elements from the student’s current approach into the new strategy. Introduce new structured strategies by having the student identify what needs to be solved, analyze the problem using examples, take action to solve the problem, and review and check the student’s answer.
Record which strategy was introduced or created in the Tutoring Facilitator’s Guide.
Step 3
Model the strategy step-by-step. Check for understanding by having the student explain the strategy to you. Provide guided practice using the student’s actual assignments, offer scaffolding, and gradually reduce support until the student can independently use the strategy.
Step 4
Encourage the student to apply the strategy in class independently. 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 and does not apply only to the current task.
Questions
Ask the student, “Do you have any questions before we end today’s session?”
Next Steps
Encourage the student to practice the strategy on their assignments, quizzes, and tests. Remind them to bring an assignment, questions, or a topic to work on to the next session. Remind them to ask for help, celebrate their successes, and be patient with themselves as they learn new strategies and topics.
In the Tutoring Facilitator’s Guide document, record the strategies taught, student progress, observations about the student’s engagement and independence, and reflect on what worked for the student and what could be improved in future situations.
Follow-Up Activities
For the student’s last tutoring session, revisit their goals using the resource Tutoring Tool Kit: Goal Review.
Research Rationale
Research rationale for this resource is provided in the literature review Enhancing Academic Performance Through Strategic After-School Tutoring.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). Enhancing academic performance through strategic after-school tutoring. Literature Reviews. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/literature-review/4858
K20 Center. (n.d.). Tutoring tool kit: Goal review. Educator Resources. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/educator-resource/4952
