1-on-1 Reading Comprehension Tutoring: Reading Closely for Meaning

I will present all the same content contained in my ongoing course on reading comprehension, however, I will be able to fully engage with a students one-on-one and not move on from a concept until they "get it".  I can also tailor the lessons to their exact reading level.  I am happy to do a novel study/1-on-1 book club as part of the class (from a list of books that I have lessons ready for). This is completely optional, so let me know if you would like me to incorperate it into the class. 

During each class I will present, and explain, a topic needed to be a great reader. We will then go over short passages and practice using that technique. A variety of sources will be used to practice reading comprehension - informational texts, workplace and community-based documents, general fiction, opinion based texts, and non-fiction aligned with science and social studies curriculums for this age group. Students will be assessed on their comprehension of the reading passages by answering questions about the main idea, making inferences, the author’s purpose, summary, mood, characterization, character’s point of view, sequence of events, theme, and supporting details. A solid understand of these concepts will also greatly improve one's writing. 

These classes are designed for learners who have mastered the decoding skills needed for reading sentences and paragraphs fluently, and are now ready to focus on interpreting the meaning of what they are reading and make observations about it. We will practice the critical thinking skills needed to separate fact from opinion and recognize claims that are supported by evidence. 


These are the topics that will be covered. How long we spend on each, at at what level, will be learner led depending on their reading level. 
Finding the Main Idea
Locating and Understanding Supporting Details
Making Inferences
 Sequence of Events
Comparing and Contrasting
Cause and Effect
Drawing Conclusions
Determining Author's Evidence and Purpose
Setting
Character Traits
Application (apply recently learned information to a new situation)
Synthesis 

I am happy to develop more practice in any area, if needed, for the learner. The one-on-one aspect of the class allows me to spend as much time as needed on any given topic. 

Below is an example of a practice question. This is from the application section and is representative of the practice questions we will do after I have presented each topic. I will read each passage aloud and have it on the screen for learners to read and go back and refer to.
Read the following passage and choose the one best answer to the question:

Serious head injuries can happen in any sport where participants are traveling at a high rate of speed. To be effective, a helmet must fit properly and guard against the particular dangers of a sport. For example, a ski helmet must cover more of the head than a bicycle helmet. A ski helmet is designed to protect against collisions with tree branches and the sharp edges of a ski.

Question:
An athlete asks if a ski helmet would be a good choice for hockey. Which response BEST applies the ideas in the passage?

A. No, it is not designed for hockey.
B. No, it covers too much of the head.
C. Yes, if it fits properly.
D. Yes, all helmets are basically alike.

Answer: A. The second sentence says a helmet must "guard against the particular dangers of a sport," making A the correct answer.

I will always carefully explain WHY each answer is correct, so learned are able to better understand how to apply each of these reading strategies.