Reading Tutoring
My approach to tutoring reading is to ensure a student has foundational reading skills before emphasizing fluency and comprehension. In almost all cases, a student who has trouble understanding what’s been read lacks the ability to decode.
Reading tutoring begins with an assessment of the student’s skills and then lesson plans are developed based upon the data collected.
The progressions of reading skills can be summarized as follows:
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• phonological skills such as rhyming, breaking sentences into words, breaking words into syllables, breaking words and syllables into sounds, and changing sounds to make new words;
• sound-symbol relationship of the basic and advanced codes
• application of phonics skills while reading books and stories
• fluency
• vocabulary acquisition
• comprehension
I use a variety of activities and games to reinforce learning. Lesson plans are adjusted based upon a student’s demonstration of skills.
Additionally, since research has shown a strong correlation between handwriting and reading, proper letter formation is practiced, if needed.
Math Tutoring
My approach to math tutoring is to ensure a student has an understanding of each concept or skill, not a set of rules and procedures to follow, or mnemonics and rhymes to recite. I show how each new concept connects to those previously learned. I believe learning should be fun, so I incorporate games whenever possible.
Math tutoring begins with an assessment of the student’s skills and then lesson plans with an emphasis on real world applications are developed based upon the data collected.
The progression of elementary and middle school math skills can be summarized as:
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• basic numeracy skills such as counting forwards and backwards and place value
• addition and subtraction
• multiplication and division
• fractions
• ratios and proportional relationships
• rational numbers
• linear algebra
• linear functions
If a student has significant skill gaps, I work on mastery of concepts from previous grades. If the student has a good understanding of most of the math from earlier grades, I fill in any gaps while working on the current grade’s skills.
Throughout every tutoring session, I monitor understanding and adjust lessons and explanations as needed.
About Rita
I've been tutoring reading and math since 2007. I've been tutoring online since 2017 so distance learning is not new to me.
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As a child my family read to me all the time. I grew up loving to read and I still do. As a reading tutor, I get to share with students the delight in reading a great story by helping them become more skillful readers.
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Math did not come easily to me, so I understand the frustration students feel when they just don't understand what they are learning in class. As a math tutor, I can explain complex concepts so that they make sense. I love when I hear a student say, "Now I get it!"
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At the beginning of third grade, my daughter's teacher told me that Margot was struggling with number sense, making learning new concepts difficult to impossible to learn. Her teacher recommended that Margot be tutored by Rita Santos, so we began weekly sessions immediately. After working with Rita for a few weeks, my daughter's confidence increased significantly, as did her math skills. Rita is good at figuring out the challenging spots for students and then giving them the tools they need to navigate those areas. Margot continues to work with Rita weekly, and we have seen tremendous growth in Margot's math abilities.
- Lori K. Tate
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Is Online Tutoring Effective?In a word, yes. The effectiveness of any tutoring -- whether in person or online -- is dependent upon the tutor's subject expertise and how well she is able to explain complex concepts. It is also dependent on the student's attendance and effort. ​ Today's students are "digital natives". They have grown up in a technology filled world and are used to doing nearly everything on their phones, computers, and laptops -- listening to music, communicating, watching movies, and learning. These tech-savvy students have no trouble navigating the tools needed for an online lesson. In fact, many students prefer it and are far more engaged in the lesson than when in person. There are a number of advantages to online tutoring: - There are no geographical limitations. This can be especially useful for students living in area with a limited number of tutors nearby. - Parents don't have to drive back and forth to sessions. - Sessions can take place anywhere -- even when traveling. - Sessions can be scheduled instantly. - Documents can be quickly and easily shared between tutor and student through the tutoring platform
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How Does Online Tutoring Work?Lessons are conducted on Zoom, a video conferencing app. Each student will have a personalized Zoom ID which will be used to start each session. The student and Rita will be able see and speak to each other. Each student will also have a link to a personal interactive whiteboard on Bitpaper. Using these two applications, Rita and the student can share information, upload documents to each other, and write on the interactive whiteboard. Any documents a student wants to share can be scanned and emailed to rita@successtutoring.org or a picture can be texted to (704) 251-0768. ​ Sometimes Rita will use a document camera so the student can read a book or watch her work with hands-on materials. ​
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What Is Your Tutoring PolicyI am unable to make any promises or warranties with regards to a student's performance. However, I am committed to helping your child achieve success by mastering concepts, closing skill gaps, and increasing confidence. It is the student’s and/or parent’s responsibility to ensure attendance and punctuality. I am unable to call or text a student if he or she is not on time. If a student arrives late to a session, it will still end at the scheduled end time. No adjustment of fees will be made for time lost because of late arrival by the student. If a student doesn't start the Zoom session after 15 minutes, the tutor will end the session and it will count as one of the allotted Flex Days, or it will be charged at the full tutoring rate if there are no remaining Flex Days. If I arrive late to session the lost time will be compensated by extending one or more future sessions based upon availability. ​
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Do We Need Any Special Equipment?A computer or laptop and a stable internet connection are needed. Connecting the device directly to the network - instead of using WiFi - will provide a more stable internet connection. The device should be fully charged or plugged into a power source so the session can be completed without interruption. Some students like to use headphones or earpods with a microphone. Although not essential, I recommend using a writing tablet or digital pen to make writing on the whiteboard easier than using a mouse or trackpad. Aside from equipment, the student should be in a quiet room away from distractions such as family members, TV, conversations, noises from dinner preparations, etc.
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How do the Academic Calendar and Academic Tutiont Plan work?While not an obligation, it is expected that your child will receive tutoring services for the academic year (September 1st through May 31st). The Tuition Payment Plan is based upon the number of tutoring sessions your child will receive during the academic year. Its purpose is to spread out tutoring charges over the academic year so you pay the same amount each month. Flex days (absences allotted at no charge) are subtracted from the total anticipated sessions during the academic year. The adjusted session total is multiplied by the session rate and then divided by 9 (the number of months in the academic year). This number is the monthly tutoring charge.
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What Is Your Payment Policy?Payment is due according to to the Academic Tuition Plan on the 1st day of each month for that month’s sessions. Services will be paused if payment is not received by the 3rd day of the month. Payment is accepted in the form of ACH, Debit card, or Credit card through Stripe. If a payment is returned for insufficient funds, that charge will be added to your invoice the following month. I recommend using Stripe's autopay option to avoid missed or late payments.
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What Is Your Cancellation Policy?Students are credited Flex days each Academic Year. These are session credits built into the Tuition Payment Plan which can be used for any type of absence. Any absences, late cancellations, or no shows in excess of the allotted Flex Days will be charged the full tutoring fee. Once all of the Flex Days are used, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice or with no notice (no shows) will be charged as if they had taken place. Should I need to cancel a session, I will reschedule the session as soon as possible at a mutually convenient time. If a student arrives late to a session, it will still end at the scheduled end time. If a session doesn’t start after 15 minutes I will end the session and it will be charged as a no show.
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Do You Tutor Over the Summer?Yes. In fact, I highly recommend summer tutoring to avoid losing any gains made during the school year. I will contact parents in May to discuss summer plans for tutoring. Flexible scheduling is available to account for camps, vacations, and other summer fun.
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Is Online Tutoring Effective?In a word, yes. The effectiveness of any tutoring -- whether in person or online -- is dependent upon the tutor's subject expertise and how well she is able to explain complex concepts. ​ Today's students are "digital natives". They have grown up in a technology filled world and are used to doing nearly everything on their phones, computers, and laptops -- listening to music, communicating, watching movies, and learning. These tech-savvy students have no trouble navigating the tools needed for an online lesson. In fact, many students prefer it and are far more engaged in the lesson than when in person. There are a number of advantages to online tutoring: - There are no geographical limitations. This can be especially useful for students living in area with a limited number of tutors nearby. - Parents don't have to drive back and forth to sessions. - Sessions can take place anywhere -- even when traveling. - Sessions can be scheduled instantly. - Documents can be quickly and easily shared between tutor and student through the tutoring platform
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How Does Online Tutoring Work?Lessons are conducted on Zoom, a video conferencing app. Each student will have a personalized Zoom ID which will be used to start each session. The student and Rita will be able see and speak to each other. Once the session begins, Rita will provide a link to an interactive whiteboard on Bitpaper. Using these two applications, Rita and the student can share information, upload documents to each other, and write on the interactive whiteboard. If the student would like to review classwork or homework, it can be scanned and emailed to rita@successtutoring.org or a picture can be texted to (704) 251-0768. Rita can then upload it to the whiteboard and both she and the student will be able to write on the image. ​ Sometimes Rita will use a document camera so the student can read a book or watch her work with hands-on materials. ​ If the students would like to review the work done during a session, Rita can email a PDF of the whiteboard upon request.
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Do We Need Any Special Equipment?A computer or tablet and a stable internet connection are needed. The device should be fully charged or plugged into a power source so the session can be completed without interruption. ​ Some students like to use headphones or earpods with a microphone. For math tutoring, although not essential a writing tablet or digital pen makes writing on the whiteboard easier than using a mouse or trackpad.
