Many parents are interested in writing tutoring in order to enrich their kids’ writing skills. The purpose of this blog is to help inform and inspire parents with content that will help their children achieve all their academic goals. Below you will find some ideas to help get you started with incorporating writing skills into every day life.
With the adoption of Common Core Skills, writing tutoring and subsequently writing skills are taught differently than in the past. Rather than being approached as a stand-alone subject, students are being asked to write in a variety of contexts that span across the curriculum. The concept that writing is a useful and valuable skill can be reinforced by incorporating it into day-to-day situations . Children’s writing skills can be enriched by creating an environment where the written word is given lots of time, space and energy.
This can be done many different ways – here are some examples of ways parents can help their kids become better writers.
Start out by establishing a place for writing in the home. Creating a writer’s nook or clearing off a desk creates an inviting atmosphere.
Make sure your kid has all the writing materials they need, such pens and journals. If your student has already mastered basic penmanship skills and has a preference for typing, consider giving him or her a keyboard attachment to convert any tablet into a writing machine!
Share holiday cards with your children and encourage them to participate in letter or email writing to communicate with family and friends.
Teach your kids how to write birthday cards and thank you cards. This skill helps them express their emotions towards a loved one or articulate gratitude. It is a great habit beyond the merits of enriching their writing abilities. Additionally, it is a wonderful opportunity for your kids to get creative and decorate the card.
On the subject of art making, when children create images or sculptures, help them to write out captions or stories that explain their ideas.
Even something as simple as asking for help drafting a grocery list on your phone can be a method of working on writing. Autocorrect allows them to learn the right spelling without parents having to identify mistakes, and corresponding emojis can make this chore a little more fun.
Surround your child with interesting and engaging books. Make sure he or she has lots of age-appropriate reading material. Embrace apps such as Kindle or Libby to read on tablets or other devices. Take your kids to the library and download whatever apps your local library has so they can access new material and check out books virtually. Besides incorporating technology, which is appealing to many kids, books are automatically returned on their due date. This means no more hunting down missing books or being charged late fees!
Talk about books or articles together. It is a crucial verbal component that helps children develop and articulate their ideas.
When you are working with your child, keep the feedback light and positive. If he or she perceives writing as an opportunity to be corrected or reprimanded over and over, naturally the idea will be less appealing than if you take an encouraging, strengths-based approach. Look for progress, not perfection.
Make it fun and relevant to your child! Tie writing back to your child’s interests and you will be on your way to enriching your kids‘ writing skills from the start.
If you need help with organization, creating and following a subject specific study plan, and overall learning how to be an effective student on test day, then maybe a 1-on-1 Study Skills Workshop is right for you. Sometimes, the hardest part of school is the balancing act of it all. Middle schoolers have the bar set higher than ever before, with teachers’ expectations beginning to climb as the students prepare for high school. High schoolers face even more responsibilities, scrambling to juggle multiple AP classes with extracurriculars and applying to colleges all at once. Therefore, while students can have great academic potential, if they are unable to plan out their time properly or have poor study habits, they may fall short of their academic goals.
If you are looking for help with getting organized and improving your study habits, look no further than the Study Hut’s 1-on-1 Study Skills workshop. These workshops are one-on-one sessions with one of our 1-on-1 Study Skills Workshop tutors who have been trained to help students reach their full academic potential. We teach students how to properly schedule out their time and approach their studying so that they can stay on top of balancing everything at once without feeling overwhelmed.
The key to good study habits begins with good organizational skills, so we help students clean up their overflowing backpacks and put everything in its place. Next, we focus on study skills specific to each student, finding areas where their note taking isn’t efficient or their flashcards aren’t doing the trick. We then work to improve these strategies, providing options so that the students can find what works best for them and get the most out of their studying.
Regardless of grade level, every student has had to deal with the stresses that come with being in upwards of seven classes at once. Study Hut’s Study Skills tutoring can help students manage their packed schedules and find ways to improve their study habits so that their academic performance can reflect their true potential.
El Segundo High School Finals tutoring is hot on everyone’s mind. In what seems like a blur, the holidays are gone and the new year is off and running, straight into the finish line of semester one for our El Segundo School District students. High schoolers and middle schoolers will complete their final exams, papers, and projects this week, sealing their grades for the first half of the academic year 2017-2018. Here at Study Hut, we have been working hard to help our students prepare to perform their best on their final exams, and are keeping the pedal down through the home stretch!
In addition to signing up our students for El Segundo High School finals tutoring at Study Hut Tutoring, we had the opportunity last week to get onto the El Segundo High School campus to provide complimentary final exam tutoring for those students who chose to take advantage of the opportunity. We worked with about 100 students in subjects ranging from Algebra 1 & 2 , Geometry, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, to Spanish, English, Psychology, and History. We had a strong team of tutors on hand for four hours on Friday, eagerly answering questions, providing detailed conceptual breakdowns, evaluating practice problems, and otherwise supporting the ambitious students as they worked to gain academic momentum during their approach to final exams. What a pleasure it is to be welcomed onto the campus to provide this service, and to engage with students as they look to confidently enter final exams.
We will be busy this week working with our students until 10pm nightly. Final exams can be daunting to downright overwhelming, and Study Hut tutors are here to make this mountain into a molehill. With an appropriate and strategic approach, high-performing students know that final exams offer a time not only to be challenged, but to showcase the hard work and preparation that has defined the days and weeks leading to now.
For help with final exams, or to get a jump on success for semester two, please reach out to Alex, at alex@studyhut.com
When a child first enters school it is usually easy to help him or her out with homework. Parents often plan on continuing to provide after-school help for as long as possible. The question then becomes: when should I stop tutoring my child myself? While there is no one correct answer to this question, we have put together a list of red flags that it may be time to look into getting outside help.
School has become a source of conflict in your relationship. Many parents are intellectually capable of doing the school work their child is asked to complete at home. Issues can arise however, when the student is not receptive to the parent’s teaching style. Parenting is a job that requires wearing many hats. From convincing kids to consider the benefits of leafy greens to early bedtimes, most seasoned parents agree that it is important to pick one’s battles. If homework and grades are causing stress and arguments, tutoring can be a tool that not only addresses academics, but also prevents additional strain on the parent-child relationship.
Academic goals are not being met. Report cards have just come out – and the results are in. If your child’s grades did not reflect his or her intelligence or potential, it is time to rethink learning strategies. A tutor can take a global look at a student’s strengths and weaknesses to pinpoint what is going wrong. Is the child unprepared for tests? Disorganized and missing assignments? Or maybe he or she is bored in a group setting and needs more personalized attention in order to engage in the material? Whatever the case may be, disappointing grades are a sign that it is time to take a different approach.
Too many time constraints. Juggling a household full of busy schedules is no easy feat. Between soccer practice, the orthodontist, and getting dinner on the table, the remaining time left in the evening is nothing short of a precious commodity. If your family has a lot going on in the after-school hours, if you feel like you are spreading yourself too thinly between your children, work, and maintaining a household, help is out there. People delegate tasks to house cleaners, dog walkers, gardeners and personal chefs not necessarily because they are incapable of doing it themselves, rather it is a choice that frees up valuable time. With the help of a tutor families can continue to prioritize academics without having to run themselves ragged fitting in all the many competing after-school time commitments.
Are you looking for tailored Newport Beach Marine Science tutoring? Call now (949) 226-1573
While whale-watching season is nearly year-round, it is gray whale season here in Newport Beach and our Newport Beach Marine Science tutoring clients should be on the lookout. Our marine science tutors are certainly on high alert as pods of gray whales migrate south along the coast to warmer waters. With environmentalism becoming a college major of increasing interest for college students, high school students are enrolling in marine science courses to satisfy their curiosity in the growing field of environmental science. There has been a recent influx in the number of students enrolling in marine science at Newport Harbor High School, and our knowledgeable marine science tutors have been happy to assist these students. One of our Newport Beach students is working on a project tracking the migration patterns of gray whales throughout the year. With the help of his marine science tutor, he has been able to successfully complete his project and prepare for his presentation in front of the class. The student has become so interested in marine science that he has gone whale-watching to see his studies in action.
The cleanliness of our oceans has become such a popular concern that students are participating in beach cleanups, led by the Surfrider Foundation Newport Beach chapter. Volunteering is a great way to help the community and enhance your college application. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in improving our marine life. Students can get involved with the Surfrider Foundation youth leadership clubs at Newport Harbor High School and Corona Del Mar High School. Members participate in exciting activities such as spreading awareness in the community about environmental concerns and collecting water samples to test the levels of various bacteria in our water sources.
If you need marine science tutoring for an upcoming exam, or you are preparing for a presentation on the health of marine life, call us at (949) 226-1573. Our Newport Beach tutors are “shore” to help you succeed!
Are you looking for a top-tier Palos Verdes algebra tutor? If you are, you’ve come to the right place. The following article will give both students and parents a firsthand breakdown, top to bottom, regarding the important elements that a Palos Verdes algebra tutor will need in order to equip students.
First of all, we need to have our basics down. It’s a lot less painful to practice math when we aren’t stumbling over the little steps that are present in every topic. We’re talking about order of operations (PEMDAS)—mastering it to understand how to simplify expressions and manipulate equations with confidence—as well as how positive and negative numbers interact under different situations. This second area—knowing how negative numbers add and multiply— provides a necessary foundation for mental math and logic.
The struggles that, we, as a collective Palos Verdes algebra tutor see most commonly with algebra students arise when adding/subtracting integers (as well as multiplying/dividing them), combining terms, and factoring goes awry. These struggles happen all across the student spectrum: we see them in students who are struggling in their classes, and with students who are doing amazingly well. If math is difficult for you, I really recommend you call Study Hut Tutoring, just down the hill in the Redondo Riviera to pair up with a top tier Palos Verdes algebra tutor. Take time to go over the basics as you encounter them again in your current material and repair those long-forgotten errors. Review whenever you feel yourself struggling with anything you have done in the past; the more recently you originally learned it, the easier it will be cement it. If you’re a student who does well in math, make sure to be careful with the small things: as you move on from one step to the next, be cautious of small mistakes.
Most of the issues that algebra students tend to have, though, stem from a larger mistake: not showing all of their work. Forgot to add a like term or distribute a negative somewhere? Neglecting to properly write out each step was likely a cause. Made a calculation error somewhere along the line? Locating the mistake is going to be a lot easier if you’ve shown all your work. The reasons that students refrain from showing certain steps vary, as do the errors that tend to plague them as a result of it. But whether it stems from students’ overconfidence in their abilities with mental math or simply a lack of diligence in writing everything out, the result is always the same: red marks on tests and quizzes that could likely have been avoided had all of the work just been written out.
I am thankful for the opportunity to work with college applications students. What are you Thankful for this school year?
Here at Study Hut Tutoring, we balance our love for Thanksgiving with our duty to accurately teach US History (among other courses!). It can be a tall order, conveying both the joy of life and the understanding of cold hard facts. Many of our college hopefuls have submitted their first applications into the world — they can tell you all about this juggling act, as well.
Yes, if anything is more bittersweet than cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving, it would have to be farewells to my college application students. I have gotten to know them better than their teachers through hours of one-on-one college application tutoring. We’ve conducted our interview, learned the art of essay writing, practiced idea generation and organization, and finally, distilled their very essence into a finely-crafted set of essays. As a tutor, I lose myself in the sheer excitement of the craft. But when that first “Submit” button gets pressed, it all needs to be perfect. At Study Hut Tutoring, I’m proud to say that it is.
For those students who may be reading — those, perhaps, without someone to guide them — let me tell you this: Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday for writing college essays. And no, I’m not just being cheesy (save that for the potatoes). So many of my students walk in my door thinking they have nothing to say. College applications are so competitive, what can one “normal” kid possibly write about? And yet, student after student leaves with a unique, heartfelt essay. College writing, it turns out, is an act of discovery. Get excited about your life, rejoice in the smallest of moments because even they can show your character. In short: be Thankful.
And it’s true, sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes to see just how unique you are. That’s where our college admissions team can help. We know every student has a story to tell. We’ve helped tell quite a few. So as you sit down to write (we suggest starting with the Contact Form, below), ask yourself: what will you be thankful for next year?
Looking for a Redondo Beach Algebra tutor? We definitely can help. In this article, we explain how Study Hut Tutoring helps students with the specific rigors of Algebra:
Algebra. The basics. A foundation for all math to come after it. The critical cornerstone that all students must overcome. It’s no wonder your average kid is afraid of the stuff! But that’s exactly what an algebra tutor is for.
Have you or a loved one ever suffered from taking Algebra? Are you suffering right now (in the vicinity of Redondo Beach)? No longer! We’ve got great Algebra tutors in your area who can not only make algebra bearable, but unleash math powers that you never knew you had.
Work with a Redondo Beach Algebra tutor at Study Hut and we’ll take you through drills and flash cards; we know how to break down problems for maximum understanding. And this isn’t like a classroom setting, where the teacher can’t spend time on every kid. At Study Hut, we’re designed to focus on one kid at a time. We’ll figure out how you best learn algebra, and help you translate from “what the heck?” to “I now know everything.”
To the moms and dads and legal guardians out there: Come down to the Redondo Beach Study Hut and we’ll match your student with an algebra tutor based on what areas they need the most work on and the personality they work best with, as well as what schedule best accommodates you. All of our tutors are college graduates who have mastered the subjects they’re tutoring. Not only do they know their material well, but they are friendly and encouraging with kids and motivated to boot.
We strive for an environment that’s comfortable, but productive. We want students to feel relaxed and successful, and for that feeling to carry over into the classroom so that they can perform at the advanced level that we know they’re capable of. A Redondo Beach algebra tutor at Study Hut will provide you with everything you need to know about
We’re proud to have helped years of students reach their very best potential. We want your student to reach theirs as well – so if like what you’ve read, fill out the form below or give us a call at (310) 540-5888.
El Segundo Finals Tutoring at its finest. Study Hut offers one-on-one tutoring to help you succeed on test day. Often times, your finals are worth 25% of your final grade. It is worth it to study ahead of time in order to prep for these big exams. If you are looking for El Segundo finals tutoring, you have come to right place. Our tutors specialize by subject and we are familiar with the expectations of your teachers.
Come to Study Hut El Segundo for top-notch service in order to make a plan and study your weakest chapters first!
Finals Survival Guide
Finals are coming! They will be here sooner than you think—thankfully, Study Hut El Segundo tutors know all the tricks to surviving these oh-so-important tests.
PLAN YOUR STUDY SCHEDULE
Got a half-hour break between class and volleyball? Read those chapters you’ve been sparknoting all semester.
TAKE NOTES ON YOUR NOTES
Don’t just read your notes. Write down lessons that were a little more difficult in your own words, make flashcards, and quiz yourself.
FORM A STUDY GROUP
Ask your teacher if you and a few classmates can use their classroom during lunch, before school, or after school once a week to go over lessons. If you guys get stuck, BOOM, ask your teacher right away.
USE A TUTOR
It’s far into the semester and you are still SO LOST. Don’t give up—get a tutor. A breakdown of foundational concepts can be the difference between passing and failing the exam.
SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE
This is not the time to cram in material. But you know this already, right?
If you have any specific questions or you’re eager to begin making a plan for finals, please email alex@studyhut.com or call 310-648-8526
El Segundo Finals Tutoring books up quickly so please call now to reserve your spot.
Are you looking for a Manhattan Beach writing tutor? Look no further! Writing essays is one of the hardest tasks for students. They wonder: where do I put the thesis? What’s the purpose of a topic sentence? What goes in my conclusion? Why do I need a hook? Why can’t my hook be a rhetorical question? (E.g., Have you ever been stranded on a desert island?) What’s an anchor?If you struggle with these simple questions, perhaps a Study Hut Tutoring session in writing is the solution.
Most students don’t hesitate to get help with their math or science homework, but writing is often overlooked. Having an expert Manhattan Beach writing tutor on the team helps immensely. Writing is one of the most important academic skills. Study Hut provides a great space for students to improve their writing. In a typical session, we start by reviewing the prompt in detail. We also look at the rubric (how students will be assessed) and all supplementary materials (e.g., outline, text, handouts). It’s important to bring your book and class handouts for our study session!
One of the problems students face is that English teachers teach writing differently. One teacher may be a huge fan of quotation hooks, while another teacher may hate them with a passion. Tutors encourage students to carefully consider their teacher’s writing preferences. We ask questions about what students have learned, and how they will be graded. Study Hut tutors tailor each session to the needs of the student as well as the expectations of the teacher.
The thesis statement is usually the most important part of our tutoring sessions, and it’s the heart of the essay. We help students develop a solid argument for their essay that clearly maps out the rest of the paragraphs. The part of the thesis that most students ignore is the theme. Even though theme isn’t a requirement of the thesis, it often relates to the deeper meaning. Themes can be tricky. But once we point them out, students are able to understand the prompt in a much deeper way.
It’s easy to put the focus on grammatical errors, but it’s the ideas that often need the most attention. We’ve all been on the other side of the dreaded red pen. However, the items that typically need the most attention include: organization, flow, sequence of arguments, and clarity of ideas. Most students struggle with what to write in each part of the essay. Once we demystify the structure, writing becomes a much more logical process. Writing tutoring is a great opportunity for students to improve their writing skills.
Getting extra help with writing gives students a leg up in high school, college, and beyond. Many teachers, professors, and employers complain that their students and employees don’t know how to write. Writing is a powerful skill that can make your son or daughter stand out.
