Friday, March 27, 2009

Act Math Tutoring







Think you'd make a good ACT Math tutor? Like any good tutor, an ACT Math tutor needs to be in tune with each student's abilities. What works for one student will not work for another, and what motivates one student will bore another. In the end, however, you will discover exciting new ways to excite students and help them succeed on the ACT.


Evaluating


Before you begin to tutor a student, it is important to perform an evaluation. You can use the results of the evaluation to plan how you will help the student reach his goal score on the ACT. Use ACT prep books to create the evaluation or have the student take a sample test.


Planning


Based on the evaluation, plan a curriculum for your tutoring sessions. For example, if the student took a sample ACT, look at the questions that the student answered incorrectly. If they all involved percentages, for example, you will know to focus on that skill during your tutoring sessions.


Motivating


Different techniques motivate different students to perform. Some students are truly motivated to attain a certain score on the ACT. If so, set that goal with them at the beginning of the tutoring sessions, and after a few months, have them retake a sample ACT. Seeing their scores improve will motivate them. Other students will need external motivation. For these students, you can suggest that they take a break when they complete five sample problems correctly. All students can be motivated through encouraging words from their tutor. Support them, sympathize with them and urge them to reach their goals.








Teaching Test-Taking Skills


Make sure that students know the details of the ACT. Explain the format of the test to them and review each type of question. Give them experience in taking the ACT by timing them as they complete sample problems.


Teaching Math Skills


Of course, your main job as a tutor is to teach math skills to your students. Tackle the students' weak areas through direct instruction but make sure to allow plenty of time for review exercises and questions. Fine-tune their skills on the areas that come easily to them as well.


Using Outside Resources


For today's students, introducing technology into a tutoring session can increase motivation. If you see a student becoming bored, encourage the student to visit online sites that review the skills you are working on. Supervise the student closely during this time to ensure that learning is taking place.

Tags: tutoring sessions, your tutoring sessions, evaluation plan, Math tutor, sample problems, student will, they complete