Tutoring

Where does he go to school? What county are you in? That seems to make all the difference these days.

Very often, there are teachers who would love to do some tutoring over the summer for extra income. It's odd that no one has responded. I assume you asked his current K-garten teachers? You could also contact a private or alternate school near by and see if there's someone there who would be interested and able. He's kinda young still...but could he be behind and need some academic testing to get him more school support for next year? or the year after that? I'm asking b/c I knew early on w my daughter that something wasn't right. She was a smart kid who couldn't keep up w the others in school work. (Socially she was fine, but just frustrated). She went on an IEP in 2nd grade, and we have never regretted getting her assistance. Does he have a Title 1 or some sort of reading tutor right now? Are both the math and language arts skills behind? How is he behaviorally and socially? Could retention or a pre 1st class be a solution. There are many ways to go with this, and I know I don't have all the facts here, but I'm a teacher, and I am thinking of all the possible ways and solutions our district uses to help bring some kids up to par. Good luck...P.

My suggestions are to 1) If you feel that your son is still struggling, maybe you could speak to the school and set up a conference to review the IEP. If not in the school, in the district there should be a Special Education specialist, coordinator, etc that may be able to address your concerns more specifically. In my past experience working with School Age children, when a child was struggling there was a 504 meeting set up to re-evaluate his situation, as well as have everyone on the same page.
2) Enrichment activities are wonderful! There are many websites where you can find different activities for your child in the areas where they are most struggling. Make the activities fun! If you make the activity fun, it's more likely for your son to retain the information.
3) Contact your local school district or even talk to your son's teacher about any teachers that may be interested in tutoring. My ex-husband is a 2nd grade teacher and by word of mouth tutors a child after school hours, and many of the teachers do tutoring in the summer months. Also check out local colleges/universities for any Education/Special Education majors that would be interested in tutoring. There are the occasions where it's a "win-win" where the student may need to tutor or observe a child for college credit and in return your son gets the assistance he needs.
4) Most importantly! There are laws governing Special Education, as you are most likely aware. If you do not feel that your son is getting the quality of education he deserves, by all means speak up! If you feel that the teacher is not addressing your concerns, go to the Principal. Keep on them! Don't let the school blow off your concerns as a parent. If you don't feel your child's needs are being met, speak up until they are!
Good Luck!

There are severl web pages that can help you locate a tutor in you area and to fit your needs this is the one that i used http://www.tutornation.com/ found the best tutor in the world hope this helps.

C.,
Good for you to get a jump on this. We struggled for years with the school to get my daughter help. They kept saying it was a developmental thing. She is well behaved in class so she slipped through cracks. We have had her tutored since she was in the 1st grade. I was lucky I worked a part time job with a girl finishing her degree in education. Then I have just asked teachers. Last summer we had my daughters reading intervention teacher that was the best. In our school district there are a lot of teachers that tutor in the summer. I was told to call the elementary school office near the end of school year to see how had put their name on a list. Other than that you might want to contact colleges in your area if they have an education program ask for the Ed dept and then aske if they have any Jumior/Seniors who would be good at and interested in tutoring. We also use the "Summer Bridges" workbooks they are great. You can get then at almost any book store or on Amazon.com In your case you would get 1st going int 2nd. It is progressive work sheeets that have just a little bit about every subject. The graphic are colorful and they ahve reading list suggestions and other activity suggestions. Also a reat reward program. It is designed to take 20 mim. a day. We have used them for 5 years. The thought is kids start losing what they have gained in just a matter of days of school getting out. This keep the kids learning or refreshed all summer. It starts from where they are and by the end of the summer they are doing more work close to what the upcoming grade will be. I am starting my 3rd child tis summer on PreK-K book. He has seen his sister do this for yaers and has wanted to be a part of, this year he can. I love the bonding time. We get a special notebook and stickers for finished "graded" pages. It is cool for the kids to look back and see what they have accomplished.

You could also look into these tutoring places, sylvan, kumar or other private places. My sister in-law ownes her own tutoring business and they have tons of students all year round.

I don't know what school district you are in but don't give up. We had to attend countless meetings about our daughter. Finally last year they put her on an IEP and it has made all the difference in the world. In first grade we had a long term sub who apologized for the fact that the school had let her slip through the cracks.

What ever you don't give up. It means alot to your child to know you are in their corner. I lknow I could not read in the second grade and my parents hired a first year teacher to tutor me over the summer. I caught up and went from being in the lower level classes early on to graduating a year early in the top 10% of my class.

Good Luck,
J.

hey C. I was going to say to talk to the school but since you have done that you may want to go online and see if there is a summer program your son can go in that can get him ready for first grade.. I know there is a store that has workbooks and such that you can get to help him and you might want to look online for different sites he could work on as well as go to best buy and see if there are any educational programs you could get to put on your pc that would help him as well.. I hope this has helped..C.

My son is older than yours, but he attended Sylvan Learning Centers for about nine months in fifth and sixth grades. He needed help in reading and math because he was more than a grade level behind in both subjects. I can tell you that while he was attending, it was slow progress, but now that he's in seventh grade, we've noticed a definite improvement. They tutor children of all ages, even as young as kindergarten. Their prices are not cheap, but I think it was money well spent, at least for our family. Good luck!

I can't believe the school is not helping you with this, but good for you for wanting to do all you can to help your son succeed in school! Does your son's school offer any kind of "summer boost" program? These programs seem to really help the kids here in my town. I used the educational games/materials from Usborne books to help my son catch up to his peers. I especially liked the "learning pallette" they have. Good luck!

www.marykay.com/jneuerer

You could inquire at local colleges/universities in the area. Many education majors are looking for the experience as well as extra money. Many colleges/universities offer programs over the summer that grad students often teach.
I taught at Sylvan Learning Center and saw great results. Also, you could try calling the board of education in your district- they usually have a list of tutors that you can hire. Hope that helps!

Hi,

I would check out Linda Mood Bell learning centers. I don't know if there is anything else out there like it. My cousin taught at one in California. you can check it out....
www.lindamoodbell.com

C.,
You obviously have access to the Internet and a computer--use them to help your son. My little guy is in Kindergarten, and we are enrolled in the Ohio Virtual Academy, which is terrific.
In addition to the curriculum, though, I have researched and easily located all kinds of teaching games for kids to play. My son is learning and having fun.
Famous companies like Ben & Jerry's, and Dole even have educational fun things. There are lessons for Phonics, Language Arts, Math, Science, Art, Music, anything your heart desires. An hour or two a day over the summer instead of the usual summer slump would do wonders for your son's learning. Sit and read him books, too. Let him explore his imagination by directing the subject matter and courses. Do jigsaw puzzles at home and online. Play Chutes & Ladders with him.
Best wishes,
K.

Hi C.

I am a teacher that works at a place called the Tutoring Club. The Tutoring Club is located across the street from Belden Village mall in the same plaza as Starbucks. The person who owns it is Paul. He is going to be doing a summer camp where we will be tutoring kids over the summer. We work with kids all different ages. If you would like so more information you can call ###-###-#### and ask for Paul and he will be able to give you more information. We tutor in all subjects.

T.

I'm not sure how he's behind but he's so young, i'm sure you can help, and work with him over the summer to get him up to par? They need to know alot more now a days then when we were young just to enter kindergarden! As they get older it's harder sometimes to help maybe? Hopefully the school will tell you just where he's lacking if you call and make an appointnent to meet with his teacher, but in the future tutoring is a big help for some kids. Most of the time the school will work with your concerns, but sometimes you have to keep on asking until you get results!
Good luck! My kids our older, but the best advice i can give you is go to conferences, school functions, ect.... And be involved with the school, and let them know your child is important to you. I ust to volunteer at my kids school part time around work, and it makes a difference if they see you can take the time to be involved in anyway,(for future experiences)