09/16/09

This week I began tutoring Anessa, a sixth grader from my math class, and Bedjina, a fifth grader. Anessa is good at math, however she just needs to work on her speed. We have speed drills each day and though she can do the math, she doesn't get all of the problems done when the time is limited. I will mostly be working with her on her speed so she can fly through the speed drills effortlessly. As for Bedjina, she is a little behind with some subtraction as well as multiplication and division. The first day we met we only went over subtraction and helped her with a few of the subtraction 'rules' so she makes less simple mistakes. It's fun working with the lower grades because it usually seems that there are only a few things that they need help with. These grades deal with mostly simple math at the beginning, so I should be able to get them caught up. They will soon be learning about measurements (linear, volume, and weights), so though some of these lessons do require some conversions it does gives me time to work on the simpler math allowing them to get caught up faster than the class is proceeding.

Hopefully, next week, I will also be able to tutor Lindsay from my sixth grade class. If you had read my blog last year, you might remember her name. Unfortunately, she was retained, but both Thom (her 6th grade teacher) and I feel that she will do great this year. As for math, it is my impression that she didn't get a great education from her prior school. She learns quickly, however the class had started out a little further than what she was comfortable with last year. She is doing much better this year, however I still want her to be a little further ahead. Hopefully, when I write again next week, I'll be able to say that she is able to come.