Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. It’s not just about decoding words on a page but understanding, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Understanding the strategies on how to enhance your reading comprehension is vital to reading success. Let’s explore the effective strategies to boost reading comprehension and help readers develop a deeper understanding of text.
Before diving into a text, encourage readers to activate their prior knowledge on the topic. This could involve brainstorming what they already know, making connections to their own experiences, or previewing headings and illustrations to gain context. Activating prior knowledge prepares the brain for new information and improves comprehension.
Help readers establish clear purposes for reading. Are they reading for information, entertainment, analysis, or critique? Understanding why they are reading helps readers engage with the text more meaningfully and extract relevant information.
Graphic organizers like mind maps, concept maps, or story maps are powerful tools for visual learners. Encourage readers to create graphic organizers to organize key ideas, relationships between concepts, and main points. This visual representation aids in comprehension and retention.
Instruct readers to monitor their comprehension as they read. Encourage them to pause at regular intervals to reflect on understanding, ask questions if something is unclear, and summarize key points. This metacognitive approach enhances active engagement with the text.
Guide readers in using context clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases. Encourage them to look for clues in surrounding sentences or paragraphs, such as synonyms, antonyms, or explanations. Developing this skill fosters independent reading and improves vocabulary acquisition.
Encourage readers to ask and answer questions before, during, and after reading. Pre-reading questions stimulate curiosity and set expectations. Questions during reading promote active thinking and monitoring. Post-reading questions encourage reflection, analysis, and synthesis of information.
Engage readers’ imagination by prompting them to visualize scenes, characters, events, and concepts described in the text. Visualization enhances comprehension by creating mental images that deepen understanding and emotional connection to the material.
After reading, encourage readers to retell the main ideas, summarize key points, and identify the central theme or message. Retelling and summarizing require synthesizing information and articulating understanding in their own words, which reinforces comprehension.
Promote collaborative reading experiences through discussions, book clubs, or peer interactions. Engaging in dialogue about the text encourages critical thinking, diverse perspectives, and deeper analysis, thus leading to enhanced comprehension and richer insights.
Offer a variety of texts across genres, styles, and formats to expose readers to different writing styles, perspectives, and content areas. Diverse reading experiences broaden knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, fostering a love for lifelong reading.
By implementing these strategies and fostering a supportive reading environment, educators and parents can empower readers to develop strong reading comprehension skills. Remember, building comprehension is a gradual process that requires practice, scaffolding, and ongoing support. Let’s inspire a generation of confident, critical readers ready to navigate the complexities of the written word.
Let’s work together in strengthening your child’s reading skills, contact us today!
Critical thinking is a vital skill for academic growth. It enables individuals to analyze, evaluate, and solve complex problems effectively. Here are 10 strategies to foster the development of critical thinking skills in learners of all ages.
Foster a culture of curiosity by encouraging students to ask questions about the world around them and the information they encounter. Teach them to inquire deeply, challenge assumptions, and seek evidence to support their conclusions.
Emphasize the importance of active listening skills, where students attentively engage with diverse perspectives, ideas, and viewpoints. Encourage them to listen with an open mind, ask clarifying questions, and reflect on different interpretations.
3. Provide Diverse Perspectives:
Expose students to diverse perspectives, cultures, and viewpoints through literature, discussions, and multimedia resources. Encourage them to analyze multiple perspectives, consider biases, and develop empathy and understanding.
Equip students with problem-solving strategies such as breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, identifying patterns, brainstorming solutions, and evaluating alternatives. Encourage them to approach challenges systematically and creatively.
Help students develop analytical skills by teaching them how to analyze data, information, and arguments critically. Teach them to identify relevant information, assess credibility, detect fallacies, and draw logical conclusions.
Incorporate reflective practices into learning experiences, such as journaling, discussions, or debriefing sessions. Encourage students to reflect on their thinking processes, learning experiences, analyze their mistakes, and share areas in need of improvement.
Introduce Socratic questioning techniques that prompt students to think deeply, clarify their thoughts, and justify their reasoning. Ask open-ended questions that encourage analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of ideas.
Foster creativity by providing opportunities for brainstorming, ideation, and creative problem-solving. Encourage students to think outside the box, explore unconventional solutions, and express their ideas through art, writing, or multimedia projects.
Facilitate collaborative learning experiences where students work with others to collaborate, discuss, and share ideas to solve problems or complete projects. Collaboration enhances critical thinking by exposing students to diverse perspectives and it fosters teamwork skills.
Urge students to evaluate their decisions, and problem-solving approaches. Foster independence by encouraging self-analysis.
By implementing these strategies and creating a supportive learning environment that values critical thinking, educators can empower students to become analytical, reflective, and innovative thinkers. Remember, developing critical thinking skills is an ongoing process that requires practice, encouragement, and guidance.
Our tutoring programs develop critical thinking skills, contact us for more information on our tutoring programs.
Tutoring has proven to be one of the most important academic supports you can provide a student. The 1:1 tutoring model is highly effective and this individualized tutoring approach allows students to flourish and achieve academic success.
Read to discover why 1:1 tutoring has a huge impact on a student’s academic success:
Relationship Building: The 1:1 tutoring model focuses on building a relationship between the student and the tutor. Once a tutor and student have created a positive rapport, this establishes a solid foundation and a successful partnership is formed.
Individualized Program: The 1:1 tutoring model allows for a more intensive tutoring approach. The tutor can personalize the program to meet the student’s needs. The tutor designs the program around the student’s learning goals, learning style and learning pace.
Feedback & Collaboration: 1:1 tutoring fosters feedback & collaboration between the tutor and student. This open dialogue allows the student to attain immediate feedback on their performance, which leads to more immediate understanding of the material, and faster progress is achieved.
Increased Engagement: 1:1 tutoring model encourages active participation and engagement from the student. Students tend to take greater learning risks and feel more confident and motivated within this learning environment.
Flexible Teaching Methods: 1:1 tutoring allows for more flexible teaching and learning methods. Tutors can be nimble and move at the pace of the individual student. This teaching flexibility allows for a more engaging and enjoyable learning experience for the student.
Overall the 1:1 tutoring model has proven to be effective for students. The relationship building, individualized programming, open feedback and collaboration, increased student engagement and flexible teaching methods all contribute to an effective learning model for all students.
Learn more about Team Tutor’s personalized tutoring programs or call us today at 215-657-1981.
How Do I Know When My Child Needs a Tutor?
Understanding and determining the right time to hire a tutor can be crucial to your child’s academic success. Do not wait until report card period time to make that decision. You want to enlist a tutor early enough to help keep motivation and confidence high.
Here are some signs to help you decide when it’s the right time to hire a tutor.
Lack of Interest or Motivation: If you are seeing a level of disinterest in school, a lack of motivation to do homework or your child is expressing a lack of confidence in their abilities, tutoring may be a good option to help your child improve their motivation and confidence.
Grades Are Slipping: If your child is not performing well on tests or quizzes and their grades are slipping, this can be a sign that your child needs subject tutoring support. If your child is not handing in assignments or completing projects, your child may benefit from tutoring in areas of executive functioning skills.
Behavioral Changes: Students that exhibit behavioral changes may be attributed to stress related to academic struggles. They may be frustrated and not realize they are struggling academically. Communicate with your child’s teacher early and often. Discuss these behavioral changes to determine if a tutor can support any issues related to academics.
School Avoidance: Is your child saying, “I do not want to go to school?” Or “I hate school.” These warning signs can be due to an academic struggle that they may be experiencing. Talk with your child and try to assess and learn what may be causing these emotional reactions. This may be rooted in an academic struggle.
When seeking the support of a tutor, it’s important to communicate with your child, their teachers and school staff to gain insights on your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Also, early tutor intervention is most effective, so do not delay in enlisting the support of a tutor.
Learn more how Team Tutor can help by calling us today, 215-657-1981.
In the evolving landscape of education, the role of tutors has become increasingly important. As students face an increase in learning challenges, the impact of personalized tutoring support outside the traditional classroom setting needs to be considered.
Let’s explore the ways in which Team Tutor enhances the learning experience for students of all ages beyond the classroom:
Personalized Approach:
Our tutors provide customized tutoring to address individual learning styles and needs. From our one-on-one sessions to our small group tutoring, we delve into the power of personalized instruction to unlock each student’s fullest potential.
Filling the Gaps:
Our tutors bridge the gaps in learning that students may encounter during regular classroom instruction. Whether it’s tackling challenging concepts or reinforcing foundational skills, our tutors play a crucial role in solidifying academic foundations.
Building Confidence:
Our tutors contribute to building students’ confidence through positive reinforcement, encouragement, and constructive feedback. Our tutors empower learners to overcome academic obstacles and develop a resilient mindset.
It’s More Than Just Good Grades:
Beyond merely achieving good grades, our tutoring programs focus on holistic learning. Our tutors build academic and life long skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper appreciation for the subject matter.
Test Preparation Strategies:
Our tutors equip students with effective strategies for upcoming tests. From time management tips to stress-reducing techniques, to best study tips, our tutors can support your child by helping them reduce anxiety, increase their confidence and become successful test takers.
Real-World Applications:
Our tutors connect theoretical knowledge to real-world applications and make learning more meaningful for students. Our tutors help learners understand the relevance of academic concepts in various contexts.
Addressing Learning Styles:
Explore the adaptability of our tutors in catering to different learning styles. Whether a student is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, our tutors tailor their approach to ensure that information is presented in a way that resonates with each individual student.
A Partner in Education:
Our tutoring program is more than an educational service—it’s a team partnership between the tutor, student, parent and the school! Our tutoring programs foster a collaborative effort that leads to maximizing learning outcomes and creating a supportive learning environment.
In conclusion, Team Tutor plays an invaluable role in shaping the educational journey of our students. As education continues to evolve, our tutors serve as a beacon of personalized support: guiding learners toward academic success and a lifelong love for learning.
Learn more about our tutoring programs or call us to day for a free consultation: 215-657-1981.
Goal setting is important for students. Goal setting creates the foundation for academic success. Setting goals fosters intention and promotes motivation. It personalizes the learning for the student and it also establishes a framework for student so they can advocate for what they need throughout their educational journey.
What is the best way to create goals that will enhance a student’s academic success? Incorporate SMART goals! The act of creating SMART goals not only gets you closer to your goals but it also enhances your ability to overcome challenges that you encounter. SMART goals build resiliency, self-confidence and self- belief. Additional benefits of SMART goal setting includes improved executive function skills such as organization, prioritization, initiation and responsibility! There are so many benefits to incorporating SMART goals into your student’s daily regimen.
SMART stands for specific, measurable, action plan, realistic & timely. Teaching students how to create SMART goals will give students the tools that they will need to be successful in school and beyond. Here are some tips to remember when you are creating your SMART goals:
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Action Plan
R: Realistic
T: Timely:
Work together with your child to create SMART goals. Once you have created your SMART goals post them so you can see them on a daily basis. Good luck and let us know how you are making out with your SMART goal planning!
Goal setting is an integral part of our study skills program. Contact our team to learn more, 215-657-1981.
Happy New Year! January is one of my favorite months of the year. It’s an excellent time to reset and reassess your goals. Take a deep dive into what is working and what is not working! Here are some ideas for both you and your child to help with setting homework, study, mindset, time management and down time goals. Breaking up your goals in these 5 areas will help your child establish a sense of balance in their academic life.
5 Goals For Academic Success:
Setting goals together with your child will make the goals more meaningful and therefore more effective. Make sure to focus on areas that will be the most beneficial for your child. Personalize the goals, as not all goals will work for all your children. Find the goals that work best for them and keep to it.
Will you set goals with your children this January? What are your academic goals for 2024?
Would you benefit from our study skills program this year? Our study skills program will help with goal setting, planning, time management and overall effective study skills. Contact our office for more information, 215-657-1981.
This Spring the SAT is going digital. You can check out more information here. One of the biggest assets to the change is the test is now much shorter. Only two hours and fourteen minutes compared to that paper and pencil test which would take more than 3 hours to complete. This is because the new digital SAT is computer adaptive. What does that mean for test takers?
What does an “adaptive” test mean?
Basically an adaptive test changes its skill level and questions based on the answers you provide. There are two sections: Reading and Writing, and then Math. Each has two modules. Your answers in part one will determine which module 2 you will receive. One is more challenging, the other is simpler. This is isolated to each subject area so how you do on reading will not affect your placement for the math portion. Also, You will be able to move around the module to preview, review, and double check questions. Once you finish module 1 the adaptive piece will group you into the appropriate module 2.
You may read online these two sections being called hard or easy module 2; however, College Board does not report which module 2 you tested into so there is no reason to stress on test day about which group you are in. It’s most important to do your best on each question!
Why should I work towards getting into harder module 2?
Getting into the harder module 2 depends on your personal goal score for the SAT. When you are grouped into either the harder or easier module 2. The College Board created a score “ceiling” which means if you test into the easier module 2 your score will range between 200-600. Only students who test into the harder module 2 will be able to score above 600 in the subject area.
Should I skip or Guess questions I am unsure about?
Short answer. Guess! There is no penalty for incorrect answers so guessing even during a computer adaptive test will help more than not answering at all. On average during the test a student has about 94 seconds to answer each question, which will feel much longer than the previous written tests, 60 seconds. Take your time and give your best to each question!
Follow our blog for more information on the new digital SAT!
The new digital SAT coming Spring 2024 has some big changes. There is one thing students can count on while preparing for the Reading & Writing Section: Vocabulary. Yes there are some questions types that directly relate to vocabulary. In addition, high level words are going to be used while asking inferencing and comprehension questions. We have created a fun list of books that incorporate these more challenging words into their stories. One of the best ways to integrate new vocabulary!
Book Series Written to Build SAT Vocabulary:
Both of these series are adventure/mystery novels with gripping stories to keep you reading and learn new words along the way.
Ahead of Her Time: An SAT Vocabulary Novel (Vocabbett Novels) By Erica Abbett
Tooth and Nail: A Novel Approach to the New SAT Paperback by Joseph Elliot (Series)
These titles some would call classic novels are recommended to help continue building vocabulary and grow your inferential thinking. With these, you can also incorporate watching some of their movies or free audiobooks as well. Adding this increased exposure to the text, vocabulary, and storytelling will only strengthen your ability to draw conclusions and make connections.
Fiction
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Treasure Island by R.L. Stevenson
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Non-Fiction
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach
Happy Reading!
For more information on our Test Prep Programs, contact us at 215-657-1981.
We understand the importance of keeping our students with reading challenges and students with dyslexia reading. Our team has put together a list of books designed for struggling readers and those with Dyslexia. These books include a compilation of high interest and low reading level books. These titles help students who read on a low level and have compelling plots that keep students interested and picking up books and reading!
Book Series written with Decodable Words for Dyslexic Readers
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham- (Highly recommend, very engaging read)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Ralph Mouse Book 1) by Beverly Cleary (Graphic Novel version)
Kent’s Quest Series by Cigdem Knebel (These are specifically written for Dyslexic students)
The Falling Star Mystery: Tom and Ricky Mystery Series By Bob Wright
High Interest Low Reading Level Books
For Nonfiction- High Noon Books
Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Lunch Lady series by Jarrett Krosoczka
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
El Deafo by Cece Bell
We hope you enjoy these books! Happy Reading!
To learn more about our reading programs, contact our office today at 215-657-1981!
Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that allow us to organize, initiate tasks, focus on tasks, and help us multi-task. Executive functioning skills directly impact our working memory and it allows us to have flexible thinking and juggle multiple tasks successfully.
Executive functions skills develop in early childhood and throughout our mid-twenties. Not all individuals develop these skills and many struggle with developing them fully. Here are the signs of students that struggle with executive functioning skills:
Have trouble initiating and completing tasks
Have difficulty prioritizing tasks
Have difficulty remembering information
Have difficulty when routines change or are altered
Shifting from one task to another is a challenge
Organizing things is a challenge
Have difficulty keeping track of their things
Managing time is difficult for them
Lacking executive functioning skills can cause many issues with a student’s learning and can impede on their academic success. Working memory and flexible thinking are essential executive function skills that support students in becoming good readers. They are also essential in learning math. Students who struggle with executive function skills often miss many mistakes they make and have difficulty monitoring their own work. If your student is struggling with executive functioning skills, there are many ways to support and strengthen these skills.
One on one tutoring that is focused on executive functioning skills can target these specific skills and help improve a student’s ability to initiate and prioritize tasks. That in turn will help improve working memory skills, organizing material and information, and helping with time management skills. Our executive functioning skills program is targeted to meet individual student’s needs and help them develop these skills so they can be successful in the classroom and in life.
Contact us today to learn more about how our one-on-one tutoring can support your child.
Report card season is fast approaching. This often brings a mix of emotions for students. Many students feel worry and fear. For students that struggle academically, this can be a difficult time for them. As parents, the way we respond to report card grades can really impact our children in a positive or negative way.
Here are some recommended tips on how to respond to report card grades.
Reviewing your child’s report card in a supportive way will have a long lasting positive impact on your child. Working together with your child and your child’s teacher is an excellent way toward helping your child improve their overall academic performance.
Are you concerned about your child’s grades? Give us a call, one of our academic coordinators can help you! Call us at 215-657-1981.