Monthly Archives

October 2018

Oct 31
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4 Helpful Habits for Writing Stronger Essays

By | Tutoring Industry News | No Comments

Some people absolutely love writing essays, while others find it to be tedious and painful. If you’re in the latter group, it might be because you have trouble bringing your essays together. They might lack a focus or proper structure. When you figure out the mechanics of an essay, they can be better and much more enjoyable to write. Here are four helpful habits for writing stronger essays.

Have Strong Sources

Great writing starts with great research. You need to select sources that are credible and relevant. They should back up the arguments that you make in your thesis statement (which should close your opening paragraph). Look for ones that can be properly verified, and don’t use Wikipedia as a named source. You also need to learn how to cite properly. Without correct citations, you could seriously compromise your grade.

Source: Elite Editing | Where to Find Credible Sources for Your Research Paper

Know What Kind of Essay to Write

Essays tend to generally fall into four categories: persuasive, narrative, expository, and descriptive. Be clear on what the difference between each type is and how to ensure your essay flows properly. A persuasive essay shouldn’t suddenly become a narrative, and a narrative essay shouldn’t suddenly become persuasive. Take the time to read examples of essays of each type to get a better understanding. You want anyone who reads your essay to be clear on what your intentions are and what the focus is meant to be.

Source: Word Counter | The 4 Different Types of Essays

Quote Correctly

Once you have your sources, you need to figure out how to quote them properly. Don’t just throw in quotes in order to pad out your word count. Instead, use the quotation sandwich method. This means introducing an expert, delivering their quote, and then elaborating on the significance of their statement as it relates to your essay. Quotes are intended to strengthen your essay.

Source: College of Western Idaho | The Quote Sandwich

Recognize Counter-Arguments

One of the main purposes of an essay is to make an argument and back it up. Your thesis statement serves as your argument. To show the power of your arguments, you need to acknowledge the opposing side. Bring up counter-arguments, and then use other evidence to further assert your points.

Writing essays should be embraced, as it’s your opportunity to express yourself. While you still need to have supporting documents and other evidence, you can still showcase your unique voice. Remember to start on all your essays early and to revise them as much as necessary.

If you’re looking for better ways to improve your tutoring, and want to increase the reach of your tutoring business, make sure to see how we can help! We have a robust teaching network of tutors who are all trying to help students learn better.

Oct 23
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Tutoring in the Clouds: Starting an Online Math Tutoring Business with Professor LaTishia Jordan

By | homeschooling, The Tutor Outreach Radio Show, Tutor Business Owners, Tutoring, Tutoring Industry News | No Comments

It was a pleasure interviewing our very own group member, LaTishia Jordan. Please be sure to check out the replay: https://bit.ly/2QwDwp4


Do you want to know the latest trend in the online tutoring market? Are you interested in tutoring online or starting an online tutoring business? This is the episode for you. Join Dr. Alise and Special Guest, LaTishia Jordan, Online Tutor Business Coach, Online Math Professor and Tutor, as she gives us secrets about the online tutoring market, what it take tutor math online, and gain some pearls of wisdom and intuitive insights to help you on your tutoring journey.

 

Oct 13
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How Tutors Can Approach Teaching Difficult High School Students

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The intrinsic benefits of being a tutor are vast. Empowering students to reach their full potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of working in education. However, many students present difficulties that can be challenging for the tutor. By recognizing these challenges and working to overcome them, a tutor can become an invaluable tool for any struggling student. Here are four ways to approach helping students achieve academically:

Stress Importance Of GPA

Savvy tutors understand the importance of emphasizing that high school students that are interested in attending higher education should aim for a GPA of 3.3 (though some colleges take GPA as low as 2.0). By laying this framework for the importance of good grades for future success, tutors can help to motivate students to stay on task. Students who are resistant to the tutoring service are more likely to buy into the process if they fully comprehend the ramifications of bad grades.

Incorporate Time Management Skills

The root of the struggles for many students is poor time management skills. Some students simply are not equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to effectively balance school with the demands of work, sports, extra-curricular activities, and home life.  This is where having a tutor can really help.

Empower Students

Students need to be empowered to work within their aptitude and skill level. The first step in empowering your students is to identify their unique learning style. Whether that be through instruction or hands-on demonstration, successful tutors understand the importance of recognizing the individual learning style of each student. Once you’ve learned more about how they learn best, help them to understand how to use that knowledge to help them study better when they’re not in tutoring. If they learn best through writing help them with their note-taking strategies, and so on.

Set Goals

Hesitant students are more likely to strive higher if there are official goals in place. Before each new semester, sit down with your student and lay out a set of formal goals. These goals should be challenging yet attainable with hard work. To ensure a successful session each time you meet, tutors should set a list of mini-goals to meet by the end of the appointment. Not only will these goals keep students on task, but they will also encourage the student as the goals are met. Start small so that the student will feel some measure of success when the goal is achieved and continue.

By empowering students to reach their full potential, you are setting your clients up for a lifetime of success. Despite the challenges that many students face, an effective tutor can help to overcome these roadblocks.

Oct 08
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5 Ways to Get Students Excited About Science

By | Tutoring | No Comments

Not everyone is excited to learn about science. The subject may be new to them or could seem difficult to comprehend at first. Yet, with all the amazing benefits and lessons science has to teach us, it would be a shame to let students give up just because it’s hard or confusing. Here are some ideas on how to help motivate your students to want to participate and keep learning about science.

Creativity Through Experimentation

Students can utilize their creativity by trying a fun science experiment. It can be suggested that they buy their own kits at the hobby store. You could even do an experiment with them to help demonstrate the concept you’re trying to help them learn. Science Bob suggests lots of simple ideas that can be done both in class or replicated at home to get younger kids excited about new subjects, but they could easily be effective for older students as well. Being creative will allow the students to be free to think for themselves and ask more questions to clarify their understanding.

Volunteer for Science

Volunteering for a charity someone is passionate about often gives their life more meaning. This is important for a job because if it lacks meaning it won’t last. For older students, have them do their research or give them a list of potential opportunities for them to explore in research, writing, or the environment among others. One Green Planet gives a list of great volunteer opportunities that almost anyone can participate in.  Let students know they can make a difference through hard work and dedication if they choose. They can even volunteer at the science fair.

Time in Nature

Exploring the natural world is a great way to inspire students to become involved in subjects like environmental science, biology, entomology, or chemistry. They can hike to study the geology of an area. Drawing plants and animals is a way to help them understand the structures of these bodies. Collecting bugs and water samples can be taken home and examined under a microscope or used for the beginnings of a project. Science is largely based off of people asking questions, so getting your students outside and curious will help them to ask questions of their own.

Go to the Zoo

Aside from being a fun opportunity to see exotic animals, visiting zoos and aquariums is a great way to get kids interested in biology and zoology. Make the experience especially educational by reading the descriptive signs next to each exhibit, and play games like making the kids guess what type of habitat each animal prefers based on its physical attributes.

Encourage Reading and Documentaries

Ask students to read a book or magazine that they’re interested in. A few examples of magazines with science articles are Discover, Smithsonian, and National Geographic. Science documentaries are educational and can be exciting for their artistic approach. Films to consider are Colliding Continents, The Strange Case of Peking Man, and Living in a Parallel Universe. Art has the power to inspire a person to live out their dreams.

Visit a Space Center

One of the most exciting ways to motivate students to love science is to encourage them to visit a space center. Budget.com describes the Johnson Space Center’s exhibit in detail and it even includes a space shuttle replica, a lunar module, and other exhibits that are fun and educational for all ages. Or perhaps traveling to other museums such as the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC could be even more exciting with the opportunity for students to even try astronaut food in the gift shop. Students can feel the wonder and energy of outer space by viewing amazing science exhibits, see an awesome show or maybe even meet an astronaut. Viewing the reality of science up close will help to make it more real.

Whatever you do, trying to make science fun for your students won’t go unnoticed. This includes incorporating technology and its advances. Connections Academy says that technology can be helpful and improves our daily lives. Let it improve your daily way of teaching students the benefits of science. Students can tell when you’re making a real effort to help them understand something, and they’ll reciprocate by doing their best to improve their understanding as well. Speak to them enthusiastically, so they feel excited. Encourage them through inspirational words, meaningful actions, and involvement. For more tutoring tips and tricks, check out our blog!