Trying to fill in what's been happening might take pages, so of course I'm not about to do that much right now, esp. since it's already late tonight. However, IF you've stopped by at all in recent days (or weeks? ...yikes!), you might have checked out the cool blog links lined up along the lower right column. Updates appear automatically and often frequently - I don't even see them as much as I'd like to either. But, I highly recommend looking around when you can. There's an assortment of topics appealing to my prime interests - and also because of design elements, creative expression, or key insights that encourage souls. Don't forget a little humor, too!
Tutoring has consumed full time status with a wide assortment of students ranging from Kindergarten through age 22. There's a young boy Titus who's age 5. He's full of declarations when telling story after story in such a precious style by answering his own questions. Those deep brown eyes look up in search of affirmation or clarification ... and his voice shrieks when a spider is suddenly spotted!
The oldest student graduated a year or so ago, but now is preparing to take the Armed Services Vocational Battery (ASVAB) to enter the Navy. He works for a landscaping company while studying. Sooo ... I've dipped my tiniest toe into the intricacies of electronics, automotive, and mechanical subjects (Oh boy!) along with reading, Language Arts, and math in which he's struggling.
Then, there are the 'regulars' for SAT test prep, mostly high schoolers. We also work with those taking the SSAT, PSAT, ISEE, PRAXIS, COOP, and certainly those wanting to master those crazy A-B-C's for subject tutoring such as ... again reading, writing and math. And yet, I've dipped a bigger toe into various sciences, a foreign language or two, history AND higher math {truly!}. Oh yes, we offer homework help by shoring up basic skills for any age or type of need. It can be a touch 'n' go situation (a tutor might not be able to be prepared ahead of time), but also someone who I work with frequently.
For example, Victoria is a 4th grader who has ADHD and a nonverbal difficulty. She's reserved and soft-spoken, and has the sweetest smile. We've been using manipulatives, Touch Math and memorization techniques for her to apply mathematic skills and concepts more effectively. It's tough that she failed math in 3rd grade and has a 'D' thus far. Nevertheless, we're determined to successfully work through challenges alongside her family and teacher.
Another student is in 8th grade who I spent a long time photocopying material for him to work on while vacationing in Hungary for a month this past summer. He's taking the SSAT next month. Right now his family is panicking a good bit b/c we didn't complete workbook material in arithmetic, geometry and algebra which gives them the idea he won't do well. He's taken timed practice sections at home and some full timed tests, too. Mom says Reading Comprehension is the only area where he's improved which was his area of strength anyway. Vocabulary is tough in the analogies section when too many unknown words are given. Math problems frustrate him when he has no idea.
BUT OH! {pardon me} He attends a local Waldorf School where teachers provide concrete ('hand-holding') instruction, so that's what he expects and prefers. He's impatient at times . Just give me specifics, he says. Just tell me what to do, he insists. Just . . . Well now, won't that be a tad difficult when test questions require critical thinking, could be 'solved' by logic or a particular strategy, and even to use your own gut instinct to figure it out??
I'm just a-sayin' ... =)
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