ARGS Peer Tutoring Tutor Training

Outline of Meeting Part 1 – General Tips Part 2 – Tutoring Challenges Part 3 – Role Play Part 4 – My Role Part 5 – Ideas for Peer Tutoring Part 6 – Questions and Comments

General Tips Be friendly, good-humored, and don’t be afraid to socialize for the first 10 minutes. When solving a problem, let the tutee talk as possible. After solving a problem, give a similar problem to check if the tutee can repeat the process. NEVER discourage a tutee.

Challenge #1 I forgot my notebook and I don’t know what the homework is. Solutions: Check with the teacher (if still in the building) Check the teacher’s website. Check your book for what seems familiar.

Challenge #2 We just took a test and don’t have any work to do. Solutions: Review what was considered to be difficult. Study what will come next.

Challenge #3 Can you help me write this paper? Solutions: I can help brainstorm ideas before you write. I can help review rules of grammar or structure of a paper. I cannot make corrections or advise what content to present.

Challenge #4 Another student wants to study with you. Solution: Depends upon your level of comfort working with two students. If the student is in the same class and working with a friend will be beneficial, then sure. If the second student is a distraction, then your responsibility is to your tutee first, and you may refer the second student to speak with Mr. Watson to receive his or her own peer tutor.

Challenge #5 You cannot make tutoring one afternoon. Solutions: If more than 24 hours in advance, just me and I will try to find a substitute (or inform the tutee if not possible). If the less than 24 hours in advance, then both myself and tutee of the absence.

Challenge #6 The tutee’s bag is overflowing with papers. Solution: Take 10 – 15 minutes to help your tutee organize. Disorganization will affect all classes, not just the one you are helping in.

Challenge #7 I have no idea how to do this. (Tutor): I don’t either. Solutions: Anecdotally, this occurred last year when a student requested aid in Physics during lunch before a test. I asked him what he was working on, why he did particular steps, and otherwise had him lead the conversation until lunch was over. At the end of 30 minutes, I had no idea what was going on, but he scored a B. Let the tutee lead instruction. Check the book for examples. Ask the teacher for aid (if in the building).

Challenge #8 Can you help me with my Frankenstein project? Solution: No.

Challenge #9 I just don’t get any of this! Solution: Take a break for a few minutes to relieve the stress from working. Then, retry the concept from the beginning or from a different angle.

Challenge #10 After several weeks a tutee’s grade is not improving. Solution: Check with the teacher if there are any outside intervening variables, such as lack of homework completion or recent illness, or for advice on how to study. Try approaching tutoring in a different manner. Don’t take the lack of progress personality. You can help your tutee considerably, but ultimately the his or her success is his or her and the teacher’s responsibility.

Role Playing #1 Scenario: Overly eager tutor. Action: The tutor is extremely eager, provides all of the materials, leads through examples, and hardly gives the tutee a chance to speak. Discussion: Tutors and tutees should both gain from peer tutoring, but should move at the tutee’s pace. In this scenario, only possibly the tutor (more likely no one) is gaining from the experience, and so while enthusiasm is encouraged, be professional. Overzealousness is ineffective and even scary.

Role Playing #2 Scenario: Overly shy tutee. Action: The tutee barely talks and shies away from any academic work. Discussion: If a student is extremely shy, make some attempts to talk to them about neutral subjects (hobby, interests, sports) until they feel comfortable with you, and then approach the academic challenges patiently “Let’s try the first problem and see what we can do.”

Role Playing #3 Tutor doesn’t understand the concept. Action: Tutor and tutee aren’t sure of what to do. Discussion: Tutor should remain confident, lead the tutee through actions to do in order to solve a particularly problem, translate a sentence, and otherwise practice good study habits to discover the solution. In this manner, a skilled tutor can assist a tutee without ever being knowledgeable of the content area. Do not: freeze or skip the topic.

Role Playing #4 Tutee is frustrated. Action: Tutee is very upset and doesn’t want to continue. Discussion: Take a break, talk about something neutral for a minute, and then gradually re-enter academic pursuits.

Mr. Watson’s Schedule My primary role is to supervise students peer tutoring. I will move between groups, offer suggestions when I requested, and otherwise monitor progress. I still intend to offer after school tutoring this year, and will act as a general tutor to all ARGS students Monday and Thursday from 3:30 – 4:30, or on Wednesday when no tutors are present. Tuesday and Friday are dedicated to tutor training and recruiting. After training is complete, my tasks will be to log hours and analyze tutor and tutee progress.

Tutor Schedule Tutoring goal: 2 hours per week with a maximum of 3 hours. Excused Absences – Variable by time

Idea – Incentives I would like an additional individual or cooperative incentives for the school year. For example, every 100 total hours of tutoring cookies are provided. What are your ideas on this?

Idea – General Tutor Each week, I will continue my tutoring practice by assisting whoever needs assistance on Monday and Thursday. I would like to extend this position to a student who is well accomplished in several subjects and has completed at least 30 hours of tutoring a student position of general tutor for one-on-one sessions. This position would require a tutor to be proficient in at least four areas, only be open to juniors or seniors, and require the student to be prepared to assist on a particular day each week for 1 – 2 hours.

Your turn Questions? Comments?

Homework Complete Peer Tutor Volunteer Form