4. How Will You Plan a Tutoring Session?

Think about what you will need to know about planning your tutoring sessions before you begin to meet with your student. List what you know in the first column of a KWL chart, and what you need to know in the second column.

Post your concerns about creating lessons in the "comment" section. Then read what others have written.

The next five sections are designed to help you plan your lessons before, during, and after each tutoring session. Please be sure to click on each link below and read all the information before continuing on in this unit.
Fill in the third column of the KWL chart. Did we answer your questions? What other information do you still need in order to create lessons? Write down your questions and contact your program director to discuss the issues.

NOTE: Each literacy program will have developed different policies and procedures regarding the above.

50 comments:

Rhonda Brewer said...

I will need to know the level of literacy of my learner first. I don't know the materials available yet or what will be best for my student. My experience in real estate, which involves extensive interaction with people, has taught me how to listen between the lines, how to get to know them without them feeling like they are being interviewed, freely share facts about my life to make them more comfortable with sharing facts about their life, try to find something in common, and plan together how to proceed to obtain the learner's goals. These are the things we will talk about in the first meeting. I think next I would ask them to tell me every word they can read (depending on their level of literacy). If they are able to write the words, I will ask them to do so as we list them. If they are not able to write any, I will write them as they list them but the learner will be asked to watch every letter I write to begin the association between letters and words. Once I know more about the learner and their literacy level, I will research the materials available before planning future lessons.

Queen Of My Castle said...

As far as knowing the level of literacy of my student. I plan to have already performed the TABE test to see where they need to being. I am looking forward to encouraging my tutors to follow this method in getting best results for the student!

tutorgirl said...

This section was informative regarding planning a tutoring session. The KWL activity and the goal setting form were good practivce for me.

Biltz said...

My concerns are doing a good job of matching tools and approach to the needs of the student. Since the tools are new to me, I think it will take me some time to do this well.

arnieelan said...

The link to the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council regarding lesson planning has changed from http://www.gplc.org/tutortips.html to http://www.gplc.org/lesson-planning.cfm. FYI

BOC said...

Lesson planning will depend upon the current level of my student and their goals. I firmly believe in 'basics' first. If the student has no idea of letter sounds, then we will concentrate on learning those. Once phonics is mastered, recognizing words or groups of letters by sight is easier. The LitStart book has many strategies for teaching at various levels. Once I get to know my student, I feel sure that appropriate lesson plans will fall into place. Then it will be up to me to elicit feedback from the student and to watch for clues as to whether a given strategy works for that student, and then make adjustments as necessary.

lillian said...

Lesson plans are very important but I think being able to be flexible with each student is more important.

Pat said...

Everything will henge on what comes out of our first meeting, goals, background, current knowledge. Once that is established then it will be easier to find the right materials to work with.

jack said...

I have much concern about lesson planning and record keeping. I think lesson planning is going to depend entirely on the need and abilities of the learner and the tutor.

W David Hubbard said...

Though I've been through many training programs with many diverse organizations, I have no formal training as a teacher. So creating a specific learning plan for a student is very new territory for me. This is my biggest concern. I imagine that it will take some trial and error, but I will do my research and pay attention to detail. The questions and points outlined in the unit are helpful. Hopefully I will be prepared.

Unknown said...

The questions that I have now are all ones that cannot be answered until I meet my learner. Where do I begin the lessons for instance? Well, I will need to access their literacy level in order to know where to start. Also, I will need to meet the learner in order to find out what goals they need to achieve from our session and what areas of our interest they have so I can cater our sessions to meet their needs and interests.

moi said...

I too have no training as a teacher, so lesson plans are new to a genuine interest in people, so I hope to be able to hone in on what is most important to the person I am tutoring and develop a simple initial plan that can be augmented as we proceed.

JeremyK said...

I freely admit I am no expert in the creation of lesson plans! My greatest concern is that I will create lesson plans that either have too much work or too little. Not in terms of difficulty, but in terms of time it takes to complete all the work I've scheduled. If I plan too little work, the student and I will be staring at each other after half-an-hour; if I plan too much work, the student might become dejected at only getting halfway down my "To Accomplish" list by the end of the session. Finding this balance is the thing that I think I will be most klutzy at.

neg said...

Lesson plans are new to me, I thought I would teach what I know to someone who wants to learn it. Where we start doesn't matter to me but a formal road map is very useful.

SNelson said...

Because I already interact with my potential learners, my first meeting would probably be getting to know more about their interest and what it is they feel they need to know.

Carissa Priebe said...

I think it all depends on the first meeting. I need to be observant, and firgure out what my student needs and wants, and also what they are able to do already. Since this is my first experience with tutoring, I need to show confidence.

Martha said...

My concerns are making an accurate assessment so I don't overwhelm with too much or underwhelm with too little information. All of the information thus far has been very helpful. I just need to practice implementation to see which styles work best for me while, more importantly, using techniques which appeal to the learner.

Lynne B said...

I've never taught in a formal setting but am looking forward to learning more about the materials available so I meet my own expectations and those of my student.

Megan N said...

During the first session with my student I hope to gain a knowledge of who they are, what they like to do etc. That way, I can plan my lessons around them. Maybe read a label on the back of their favorite food, write a story about their life, make a picture book that they can explain what is going on, etc. It's hard to divulge into something that you know nothing about!

Linda A said...

Linda A. I will definately need a little guidance on lesson plans. I am sure my tutor coordinator can walk me through some of this. I still need to see what materials are available at the tutoring center. Afer I meet my student, I will know more about his or her needs.

Anonymous said...

One thing that I have learned through all this is the importance of being prepared and ready to assist the learner.

Unknown said...

My main concern would be matching my lessons with the learner's specific goals, and what exactly to prioritize so that I am not wasting his/her time.

Unknown said...

My main concern is getting the learner to literacy as fast as possible. I know that there are so many different activities we can do, and I don't want to overwhelm her with all of these activities.

Then again, I love variety in learning! So my goal is to balance the variety, while staying on track. Tracking tools will work well for this! Maybe some kind of custom assessment for reading, and another separate one for writing or comprehension.

Mindy Mauldin said...

Mostly what I think I need to learn about lesson planning is how to tailor a session to the learner's abilities, weaknesses, and personal goals. I think I have the big picture, but I'm unsure of how to carry it out.

Unknown said...

I'm mostly concerned about making sure that I'm meeting the needs of my student. It's a big step to seek out help with literacy. My grandmother couldn't read, and she had a lot of shame around that. So, for me it's a big responsibility. I want to be sure I'm creating lesson plans that are addressing their wants and needs. I want to ensure that they reach their goals.

Unknown said...

Completed

Unknown said...

One of my concerns is not being able to offer my student the assistance needed for his or her level. I will have to be overly prepared in order to meet their needs.

Dan said...

My concerns involve being able to properly give lessons based on age and one's level. In addition, I need to be able to mix them up and be as fun and creative as possible.

Ajfae said...

I want to create plans that will help each individual reach his/her goals. I think finding the right strategy for each individual would be what concerns me the most.
Audrey

Unknown said...

I'm going to have to agree with Mindy on this one. My main concern is tailoring the lessons in order to best fit the learner I am tutoring. This is key for effectiveness to take place.

Anonymous said...

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tutoring english

Michelle Cooper said...

Great tips!!!!! but it's also based upon student’s learning style. Online Tutoring Sessions

Anonymous said...

My concern is meeting the students needs. I want to make sure that I'm not giving too much to soon.

Tony said...

My concerns about that first session are getting enough personal information to learn what makes the student tick and be able to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and
trust.

Rebekka said...

As I have never taught before, creating a lesson plan is something that concerns me. Also, I want to make sure that what we are learning is engaging and fun.

Unknown said...

I am most concerned about creating a suitable individualized lesson, so that my student feels like they are learning something from me.

Janet said...

I have no formal training as a teacher so I am nervous about creating my first lesson plan. Hopefully with this training and support from my Program Coordinator, I will be able to be successful.

Unknown said...

One of my concerns about creating less plans is making sure that the plan is suitable for the individual learner. To help with this concern, I will make sure to appropriately assess the learner both formally and informally. In my program, learners are required to take the TABE test in both reading and math.

Lucie-Gabrielle Jolicoeur said...

My biggest concern is that I might overestimate the learning capacity of my students, or go too fast for them. Inversely, I don't want to be so afraid of pushing them that I go too slow, or fail to motivate them.

Unknown said...

I really worried about not having proper lessons for what they need to learn. I am scared I will make up activities that are too advanced or too boring and it won't be effective. I am also worried about not planning enough material for the whole session.

Unknown said...

I am nervous about making a lesson plan that will be effective. However, I know that my support network will always be there to help me. My network consists of team members, participant feedback, supervisor input, and internet resources. With my skills to reach people with compassion and understanding combined with my support network there won't be any tutoring obstacles I can't overcome.

Robert D said...

I have to keep in mind that my understanding differs from the basic understanding of a lesson plan. I began getting too detailed initially. After re-assessing however, I have a basic one that is easier on the demands of the pupil.

Unknown said...

I think most organization have plans already in place but if you're teaching it you know what they need to know. we all forget things from time to time, I've had teachers forget and it was on the lesson plan. It's going to take time for us to adjust and the plan will get better with time. I suggest running your ideas by your peers or even family and get their insight or ask questions that may lead to putting information in you hadn't considered. Best thing stay relaxed and start with the basics, it like writing a paper.

Anonymous said...

I need to ask what materials are already available for my use. I'm also considering how the Esseff Guaranteed Learning instructional design model could be beneficial.

Unknown said...

Lesson planning appears to be developed around the student's goals. But if they need to begin with basics of learning letters and sounds, that is where we have to begin.

I am still now sure if there are standard lesson books for beginners learning English with this program. I believe I can develop lessons in that regard from past experience with the program I worked with before. How does a tutor know what sounds, vocabulary, length of stories for reading to implement unless we know what level the student is and without structured teaching manuals for those levels?

MSTATEN said...

The lesson planning portion is a little nerve racking. I want to be able to implement al that I'm learning and make sure its clear and concise for the student.
I'm sure more practice will perfect these skills.

Unknown said...

My qualms concerning lesson planning is mostly all to do with inexperience. It is difficult to be fully prepared for student by simply reading how to do so. The best way to become familiar with lesson planning and efficient at implementing productive lessons is through practice and repetition. I am a firm believer that people can become proficient at almost any practical skill if they put in the time and effort to do so.

Missuz Jonez said...

Everything I have learned, thus far, supports what I already felt strongly was a huge factor for learning....which is, that the ways in which each individual is able to truly learn something varies with each person. I am anxious about assessing my participant's style of learning correctly and making my lesson plans accordingly.

Unknown said...

I am new to working with adults so I want to make sure that my lessons are relevant and suit the goals of the learner.

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