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One to One Learning In
Home Tutoring
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Tutoring Kids to Succeed |
September/October, 2006 |
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Dear Great Parent, We're already into an exciting new school year. We want to help kids keep that
enthusiasm and promise of a new start. As tests start coming home, grades won't always be
what kids had hoped. This can lead to a sense of failure. We need to
change that! Mistakes are great opportunities to
learn. Feeling like a failure on the other hand,
makes people give up. We know it, but we tend to forget.
So in this newsletter, I "'fess up" to one of my own embarrassing learning
issues. It's about learning styles - and everyone is different. Since many kids don't learn the way
schools teach, we offer lots of ideas to help kids succeed.
I'm really excited to
introduce our wonderful Learning Matters, Inc. tutors and show how just two hours
a week can make a difference. For more ideas, check out the sections on
resources and coming events. And just call if I can help. (949)
305-6797.
All the best!
Shari Frank,
President,
Learning Matters, Inc.
http://www.learningmattersinc.com
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It's All About Style... Learning
Style
I'm pretty sure I'm NOT a visual learner. I can't find my way
out of a paper bag without a map. Wait! I can't find my way out
of a paper bag WITH a map. Countless times my husband has
rescued me with my harried calls. "Do I go north or south on the
freeway from here?" "How do I get to… from here?" Mapquest
helps, sure. But if I didn't have a chance to get directions,
let's just say I'd better have a full tank of gas. Inevitably,
I'll be going the wrong way many times before I find the right
one. I may not exactly be lost, but it takes a long time to get
where I'm going.
Many kids have the same issues in school. They don't learn
the way schools teach, so it takes longer to get where they're
going. For me- step by step instructions give me a better chance
at success. For others, show them a map and they can picture how
to get there. So, I guess I am more of an auditory learner (left
brain); not so much on the visual (right brain). Finally my
husband got me a GPS! I call it Ken. Ken calmly guides me; "Turn
right, then take the second left." Ahhh. If we can help each
child find the right GPS, we can make their road smoother, and
help end struggles in school.
When kids struggle they start to feel badly about themselves.
Loser. Stupid. Embarrassed. Worthless. Sad. Depressed. They may
start to feel they CAN'T do it, so they give up trying.
Sometimes teachers or parents conclude the kids are just lazy or
they don't care. I disagree. I think everyone wants to do well,
they just don't know how.
Schools generally use auditory teaching styles. This works
for some but not for others. Most people
aren't completely auditory or visual learners. Still, if we pay
attention we'll start to see patterns of how each child does
learn. This gives us an opportunity to help them improve.
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Helping Kids Succeed
Since we know everyone learns differently, there are lots
of things we can do to customize that learning. First we
have to help kids believe in themselves, build on their
strengths and find ways to handle weaknesses. Then we have
to help them understand. The more confident
they are in their knowledge, the easier it is for them to
find their
own solutions. A GPS to help with directions is one way.
Other answers are less obvious but just as
effective. Kids can succeed if we help them find the way.
- Use seeing (visual), listening (auditory) and doing
(kinesthetic) teaching techniques to help see what works
best.
- If a child has difficulty concentrating, try
classical music to cover background noises while they're
studying (or trying to go to sleep).
- If a child is more likely to remember something when
they see it, taking notes with pictures, graphs and
mentally visualizing may help it stick in their memory.
- If a child has a hard time hearing in a noisy
classroom, move to a better seat, listen by observing,
use a tape recorder, take more notes (with pictures),
see if they qualify for a special microphone,
note-taker, or notes provided by the teacher.
- If a child is dyslexic and reading is a chore, see
if they qualify for texts on tape.
- If a child doesn't get math on paper, try using
money, blocks or candy.
- If a child has problems focusing or memorizing, use
games and mnemonics to practice.
- If you can't figure out how to help your child, get
professional testing - not to find labels, but to
understand more about their special learning styles and
how to help.
- If a child knows you believe they can do it, they
are more likely to try. Setting achievable goals that
push limits a little is good for self-esteem. And praise
goes a long way. Everyone likes to hear "good job",
"good effort".
- If a child believes in themselves, they will
succeed.
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Just Two Hours A Week
What our families say about Learning Matters,
Inc. services:
"He explains it so I understand it. Even when
I ask questions in class, I don't get it. With his
help, I've got a solid A."
- S.R. 10th grade Algebra 2 student
"The best thing the tutor did for our daughter
was make learning fun! Homework is not a battle
anymore."
- L.G. 3rd grader Mom
"We love our tutor. Our son qualified for
honors Algebra 2 next year!"
- R.U., 9th grader Dad
Want to hear more? |
I got into the tutoring business because I
believe every child can succeed. We know every one
is unique. We work with the family to customize a
plan for each student based on their needs. Instead
of finding homework is a battle, parents are
pleasantly surprised to see kids respond to tutoring
with "their own adult." With many kids,
removing the emotional issues of working with a
parent gives them
independence and they usually flourish.
Just two hours per week can make a difference!
Why is it effective? Working one-to-one, tutors
have a chance to use the multiple learning styles.
The pace is set by the student, not demands of a
curriculum schedule. Kids hear it, see it, do it.
They ask and answer questions. Kids are engaged in
an active process.
Our track record speaks for itself.
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Meet Learning Matters, Inc.
Tutors
We'd like to introduce some of the Learning
Matters, Inc. tutors. We are so proud to have these
qualified, experienced credentialed teachers,
graduate students and professionals on our team.
They are dedicated to helping students succeed.
Schedules are filling quickly, so call soon to
reserve capacity.
Find out how we can help you and your student.
Matt is working on his Ph.D. He
teaches university English, Composition, Poetry and
Spanish. In addition, he has extensive experience
teaching and tutoring basic math to calculus, SAT,
ACT, GRE, GMAT and Test preparation. He has a knack
for bonding, building confidence and skills.
Amy has a B.A. in English and plans
to attend graduate school next fall. She has several
years tutoring elementary through college, English
and Math through Algebra and Geometry. Specialties
include: Essay Preparation for SAT I, SAT II, AP
exams, College Admission Essays. Her ability to
teach, coach and motivate charms families and
students alike.
Mark is a credentialed teacher with
20 years teaching and tutoring math, elementary
through college, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry,
Pre-Calculus and Statistics. Students say he's the
best at helping them understand math.
Melissa is a credentialed teacher
in special education, with over 4 years tutoring and
teaching pre-school, elementary school, Algebra,
Geometry and Science. Specialties include autistic
therapy, and a variety of special teaching
techniques for math and reading. Her cheerful
personality makes learning fun.
Carol is a credentialed teacher
with over 25 years teaching all subjects in Special
Education. Her specialties include English and
Journalism. She has a magic bag of techniques to
help struggling learners. Her patience and caring
build confidence and skills.
Karthik has a Masters in
Biotechnology and Applied Chemistry. He teaches
elementary through college in Math, Science,
Algebra, Calculus, Statistics, Chemistry, Physics.
His calm demeanor encourages students to reach
higher standards.
Tim is pursuing his Ph.D. He has
extensive experience teaching and tutoring English,
Composition and Critical and Literary Analysis from
middle school to University Level. He quietly guides
students to improve their writing and analysis
skills.
Michelle is a credentialed teacher
with over 7 years experience teaching elementary
school. Her creative methods use lots of hand-on
techniques to get students excited about learning.
Masayoshi has a Ph. D. in Math, an
M.S. in Physics. He has several years experience
teaching and tutoring Algebra, Geometry, Physics,
Calculus, Chemistry and Japanese, elementary through
University. He challenges students to reach their
potential.
Gina is a credentialed teacher with
over seven years experience teaching elementary and
pre-school. She develops curriculum to meet the
kids' diverse needs. Working one-to-one she brings
out the best in kids.
Paul is a credentialed teacher with
extensive experience teaching and tutoring middle to
high school math, Algebra, Geometry, English, SAT
Math and English. He has the ability to put students
at ease and help start building skills from where
they are.
Hoa has a B.S. Mathematics and
Applied Science with a specialization in business
administration and computing. She is working on her
teaching credential. She has over 4 years experience
tutoring middle to high school. She tutors English,
Social Science, Science, math, Algebra, Geometry,
Calculus. She's patient, creative and kids really
like her.
More Teacher Biographies |
San Clemente Family Fair,
September 30th
Come see us at the September 30th Character
Counts Jamboree in San Clemente. There will be over
70 booths with crafts, games and activities such as
dancing, basketball, petting zoo, health fair, bat
rescue info, and a real Sheriff's Department
helicopter.
11am to 3 pm
Truman Benedict Elementary School
1251 Sarmentoso
San Clemente, California |
Learning Style Resources
www.allkindsofminds.com
Mel Levine, M.D. is founder and co-chair of All Kinds
of Minds, a nonprofit institute to help deal with
differences in learning. This site has tons of
informative articles, books and helpful ideas. Keep
an eye on his lecture tours, because if you catch
one, he's amazing in person.
www.visualspatial.org
Dr. Linda Silverman, pioneer of the visual-spatial
learning concept. This site has many tools to
determine learning styles, articles and books to
help parents and students find ways to manage
problems. And, lots of entertaining jokes that make
a point.
www.learningmattersinc.com
Learning Matters, Inc. site has additional resources
with ideas to help teach, math, reading, study
skills and more.
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Coming Soon
Watch for announcements about upcoming special
events for reading improvement.
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Call (949) 305-6797 or
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