Typical Lesson Format

Typical Lesson Format

I will normally start out a math or physics tutoring session by asking the student if there are any special concerns or difficult test or homework problems that have come up since our most recent session. I will try to help the tutoring student any new issues that have come up since the last tutoring session. After that, I will present to the student a simple outline of the topics we expect to cover during the math or physics tutoring session. I am very flexible and we can certainly can do work on other topics that were not on the original tutoring session plan.

We do, however, want to do our best to cover all topics on the original lesson plan. Our tutoring lesson plan will have been mutually created during our need assessment. I will begin the scheduled tutoring session by briefly stating the major topics and formulas we are going to work together on. It is important that the student knows what to expect during the entire tutoring session.

The main focus of my tutoring is improving test-taking ability through solving numerous problems. Before we solving problems related to each concept being covered, I provide instruction on the topic and what approaches will be used to solve problems related to that topic.

We then get into the heart of the tutoring session - that is - solving LOTS of problems. My students become problem-solving experts precisely because we solve so many problems during training. We continue to solve problems related to a topic until the student has a strong grasp on the approaches used and when and why they are applied to each situation. We do not have a set number of problems for each topic. We will continue solving problems related to each topic until the student has mastered the approaches. Students will typically be stronger in certain areas than others and will therefore have to solve more problems in their weaker areas.

It is my goal that by the end of each tutoring session, the student can explain the concepts and formulas we covered and how, why, and when they are applied to problems. The end of the tutoring session involves a detailed recap with the student. This wrap-up is very important allows the student to explain in his or her own words everything that was taught and applied during the tutoring session. This is my final chance to ensure that all concepts and their applications were fully understood and internalized.

As a prelude for the next math tutoring or physics tutoring session, I always remind the student that we will have a mini-recap of this lesson during our next session. We then schedule that next lesson and begin preparing for it.