Tutoring high school freshman - any advice?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around advice for tutoring a high school freshman in algebra, focusing on both academic support and the personal challenges that may arise during the tutoring process. Participants share their experiences and suggestions for effective tutoring strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses nervousness about tutoring a young student and acknowledges the unique challenges that high school freshmen may face beyond academics.
  • Another participant suggests starting the first session by understanding the student's strengths and weaknesses, reviewing past topics, and gathering relevant materials like worksheets and textbooks.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of asking for reading assignments or class schedules instead of a syllabus, which is more common in college settings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of understanding the student's background and needs, but there is a disagreement regarding the terminology used for class materials, specifically the distinction between a syllabus and reading assignments.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the student's prior knowledge and the structure of high school classes may not be fully articulated, and the discussion does not resolve the best approach to addressing personal challenges faced by the student.

turin
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I will be tutoring a 14-year-old boy in high school algebra. I have never tutored someone so young (since I was myself in high school, many MANY years ago), and I am quite nervous about the "other" issues that we may need to work through. I remember having issues my freshman year of high school that were huge distractions from my academics. I believe that every kid has a sincerely unique experience in high school, but still, advice/annecdotes are greatly appreciated.
 
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Spend some time in your first session just getting to know him,his strengths and weaknesses,what he is studying at present,and topics he has studied in the past that he needs to revisit.Ask him to describe and get you copies of the syllabus and details of the structure of the exams and the exam schedule.Look through his work and pick up on any topics that need clarifying.You will need worksheets and ideally copies of the books he is using.Be nice,be patient and inform his parents that you always perform better with a nice cup of tea(or is coffee your preference?)
 
Thanks, Dadface. Here goes ...
 
The only "modification" I would have to Dadface's recommendations is that most people don't have a "syllabus" in high school. That's something you encounter in college, and that basically explains the rules and regulations for the class. What you want to ask for are the reading assignments or schedule for the class. Basically, you need to know what topics and chapters of the text will be covered each week.
 

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